Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/172

142 As we know, McKinley had cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. When election time came round, he was asked to speak for the Republican party, and he made many addresses in Canton, in Youngstown, in Poland, and elsewhere. The time spent in debating when a boy now stood him in good stead, and he became a fluent and convincing speech-maker. His arguments always went straight to the point, and although some people did not agree with him, they could not help but be impressed by his earnestness.

When the time came for electing a new prosecuting attorney of Stark County, the nomination on the Republican side almost went a-begging. This was because the county was considered strongly Democratic, and the Republicans felt that any man they put up would be almost certain of defeat.

"Let us put up Major McKinley," said somebody. "He's pretty popular all round."

"No, it isn't fair," said another. "He'd be like a ninepin that is set up merely to be bowled over."

"I don't know about that," returned the