led
with so grave a conflict as that year, not merely for the reason
that we had both the financial and economic questions depending
upon the result, but because of the lack of action and moral force
which did not seem to come to us from outside the state, as it
should and had years before. I had too much faith in the Republicans
of the country to believe that when they understood the situation
they would fail to arouse themselves to the necessities of the hour.

In answer to a question as to how the canvass would be conducted,
I said that Major McKinley and those close to him were perfectly
competent to deal with the management of the campaign and would do
so. I should in my opening speech devote myself entirely to a
presentation of the financial part of the contest, which was equal
in importance with the tariff. It was perhaps unfortunate for both
that two such questions should come up for discussion at the same
time, but they did and the issue had to be met. The only thing
that was necessary to insure a crowning success was that the
Republicans of the country should understand that, no matter what
their differences upon the tariff were, they had a vital interest
in settling the financial question for all time at the next election
in the State of Ohio. The prosperity in Ohio was a great aid to
the Republicans. The crops in that state and the west were larger
than for many years. Prices were good and the farmers as a rule
prosperous. This naturally made them regard with grim humor the
talk of the Alliance lecturers about poverty and distress. Another
thing which helped us was the fact that short crops were the rule
in Europe. In reply to a question as to the senatorial issue, I
said in one of my speeches:

"I have no regret that this character of battle is prominent. I
am rather complimented than otherwise to be again selected as the
target of this crusade against a sound currency. It is a question
that has been nearest my heart for a good many years, and I am
perfectly willing to abide the result upon my position thereon.
As I said before, I have no fears as to the decision for the right.
I have less opposition to encounter than I have ever had before,
and should we carry the legislature, which I believe we will, I am
content to stand by the judgment of the Republicans of that body,
no matter what it may be."

I made my opening speech in this campaign at Paulding, on the 27th
of August. It was mainly