Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/273

 HAY

courts disaster and ruin by assuming an attitude of hostility or distrust to the Legislature; and, on the other hand, McKinley's frank and sin- cere trust and confidence in Congress were re- paid by prompt and loyal support and coopera- tion. During his entire term of office this mu- tual trust and regard — so essential to the public welfare — was never shadowed by a single cloud.

When he came to the presidency he con- fronted a situation of the utmost difficulty, which might well have appalled a man of less serene and tranquil self-confidence. There had been a state of profound commercial and industrial de- pression from which his friends had said his election would relieve the country. Our rela- tions with the outside world left much to be desired. The feeling between the Northern and Southern sections of the Union was lacking in the cordiality which was necessary to the welfare of both. Hawaii had asked for annexation and had been rejected by the preceding administra- tion. There was a state of things in the Carib- bean which could not permanently endure. Our neighbor's house was on fire, and there were grave doubts as to our rights and duties in the premises. A man either weak or rash, either ir- resolute or headstrong, might have brought ruin on himself and incalculable harm to the country.

The least desirable form of glory to a man of his habitual mood and temper — that of suc- cessful war — was nevertheless conferred upon him by uncontrollable events. He felt it must 235

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