“Alger is responsible”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 123.
“I’m sorry to see you so sick”: quoted in “Mr. M’Kinley at Montauk,” New York Times, September 4, 1898.
Wilson as an intermediary: Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 126.
“He told me he is having”: James Wilson to WMcK, September 7, 1898, GBCP, Box 69.
Wilson “pointed out the weight”: Ibid.
“If there have been wrongs”: quoted in Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 315.
“The place is beyond my ambition”: John Hay to WMcK, August 15, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“This is—I am told”: John Hay to WMcK, August 22, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“between English-speaking peoples”: quoted in Buchanan, A Republic, Not an Empire, p. 150.
“There is a powerful”: quoted in “Anglo-Saxon Allies,” Washington Post, May 14, 1898.
“a peace between us”: quoted in “Cementing the Bond,” Washington Post, April 21, 1898.
But Hoar declined: George Hoar to WMcK, September 14, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
twenty-two-page letter: Thomas Platt to WMcK, August 14, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“Permit me to respectfully”: William Chandler to WMcK, August 17, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
Prices were solid: “Outlook for the Fall,” Washington Post, July 9, 1898.
total exports were double: “Great Import Trade,” Washington Post, July 18, 1898.
“not making political speeches”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 127.
“a significant departure”: Ibid., p. 127.
Democrats gained twenty-nine seats: Moore, Preimesberger, and Tarr, p. 2:1569.
21. EMPIRE
sixteen-year army career: “Francis Vinton Greene,” Wikipedia.
3,550 troops: Silbey, A War of Frontier and Empire, p. 44.
Bradford warned: Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 327.
Dewey selected Luzon: Ibid., p. 334.
“a few random bits”: Ibid.
Greene estimated the Philippine population: Francis V. Greene, “Memoranda concerning the situation in The Philippines, on Aug. 30, 1898,” GBCP, Box 69. All descriptions of Philippines in this passage are from the same source unless otherwise noted.
Philippine raw materials: Silbey, A War of Frontier and Empire, p. 10.
Spain first opened up society: Ibid., p. 11.
“Grandson of a Chinaman”: Mark Twain, “Thirty Thousand Killed a Million,” manuscript written in 1902 but unpublished until printed in The Atlantic, April 1992.
“short but well-knit”: “Aguinaldo the Insurgent,” Washington Post, August 1, 1898, reprinted from New York Tribune.
He was executed on May 10: Silbey, A War of Frontier and Empire, p. 14.
“honeyed phrases”: quoted in ibid., p. 36.
Pratt denied: Ibid.
U.S. naval officials transported Aguinaldo: Healy and Kutner, p. 224.
Aguinaldo once again insisted: Ibid.
Dewey denied it: Ibid.
“The situation is very grave”: quoted in “Must Soon Give In,” Washington Post, June 9, 1898.
the “white population of the suburbs”: quoted in “Manila’s Situation Is Critical,” Washington Post, June 16, 1898.
11,000 troops at Cavite: Silbey, A War of Frontier and Empire, pp. 43–44, 46.
General Greene entered into a negotiation: Ibid., p. 47.
if the Americans attacked: “Ready to Surrender,” Washington Post, August 2, 1898.
“uplift and civilize”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 141. Historians have been amused by James F. Rusling’s 1903 description of this meeting with the Methodists. According to Rusling, McKinley said he had been mystified by the Philippine conundrum until, pacing the floor late one night, “I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance. It came to me this way—I don’t know how it was, but it came” (quoted in Olcott, 2:109). The Rusling version had been credited by historians for decades until Lewis L. Gould noted that Rusling had rendered a similar portrait of President Lincoln revealing that he had gone to his knees to pray for divine assistance before the Battle of Gettysburg. A bit of a coincidence that this man would be positioned to hear two presidents tell of having successfully summoned divine intervention by going to their knees. Also, it is noteworthy that no one else among the many people at the meeting thought to recount the president’s remarkable revelation during the four years between the meeting and Rusling’s rendition. I left it out of the narrative with a view that it lacked credibility.
“Is Government willing”: cable, Wesley Merritt and Dewey to Corbin, August 13, 1898 (received August 17), in Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, p. 2:754.
“The President directs”: cable, Corbin to Merritt and Dewey, August 17, 1898, in ibid.
On September 15 he met with his peace commissioners: GBCD, September 15, 1898, Box 52.
memorandum of instruction: GBCD, September 16, 1898.
“imperative necessity”: WMcK, memorandum of instruction to Peace Commission, September 16, 1898, reprinted in Olcott, p. 2:95.
The president emphasized to Day: Day, cable to WMcK, September 30, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
McKinley dropped a “hint”: Whitelaw Reid to WMcK, October 4, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“valuable notes and memoranda”: John Hay, memorandum to Day, October 4, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
incident at the White House: Memorandum, for the record, Alvey Adee, October 1, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“Following his purpose”: John Hay, memorandum to Day, October 4, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“directly and openly”: Joseph Medill to WMcK, October 17, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“You would be astounded”: Day to WMcK, October 23, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“status quo” in the Philippines: Day to WMcK, October 5, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
acquiesced with a “conciliatory” tone: Ibid.
“the expense,” Day wrote: Day to WMcK, October 23, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“We are still free to regard it”: John Hay to Day, October 13, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“I hope we shall be able”: Day to WMcK, October 23, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“The President directs me”: John Hay to Day, October 25, 1898, reprinted in Olcott, p. 2:102.
“he seemed almost to break down”: Whitelaw Reid to WMcK, October 28, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“Spanish authority has been completely destroyed”: George Dewey to John D. Long, October 18, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“I am greatly pleased”: WMcK to Day, October 25, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“shall be embarrassed”: Day to WMcK, October 28, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
favored taking the full archipelago: Peace Commissioners, memorandum to John Hay, November 11, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 5.
“moderation, restraint”: George Gray to John Hay, November 11, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 5.
“Grave as are the responsibilities”: quoted in Gould, The Spanish-American War and President McKinley, p. 109.
“I wish to submit”: Day to WMcK, November 2, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“a reasonable sum of money”: quoted in Gould, The Spanish-American War and President McKinley, p. 110.
“Yesterday everybody was predicting”: Whitelaw Reid to WMcK, November 15, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 5.
“I think & know”: Ibid.
“benevolent assimilation”: WMcK, Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation, December 21, 1898, sent to Russell Alger, in Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, p. 2:858.
“Our concern was not for territory”: WMcK, speech before the Home Market Club, Boston, February 16, 1899, in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 185.
“Sea power counts”: “How Sea Power Counts,” Washington Post, May 17, 1898, reprinted from Philadelphia Press.
“a triumphant march”: William Osborne to WMcK, November 1
1, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 5.
“initiates the first experiment”: “Governing at a Distance,” Nation, May 19, 1898.
“I . . . predict”: Carl Schurz to WMcK, September 22, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
22. WAR’S AFTERMATH
“a perfect “Dodworth curtsy”: Anthony, p. xii. This entire episode comes from the same source.
eleven public appearances: speeches enumerated in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley, from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 158.
“Sectional lines no longer”: WMcK, “Speech before the Legislature in Joint Assembly at the State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, December 14, 1898,” ibid., p. 158.
singing Methodist hymns: Dawes, p. 180.
five evening receptions: “White House Guests,” Washington Post, January 19, 1899.
nearly 8,000 visitors: “The President’s Reception,” New York Times, January 23, 1899.
lavish White House dinner: “A Dinner at the White House,” New York Times, January 14, 1899.
“one of the most beautifully appointed”: “Social and Personal: President and Mrs. McKinley Entertained at Dinner,” Washington Post, January 17, 1899.
“How these men try”: quoted in GBCD, January 22, 1899, Box 52.
perhaps seventy: “Treaty in the Senate,” Washington Post, January 5, 1899.
“a locomotive bottomside up”: quoted in Jones, p. 98.
U.S. forces organized police and garbage collection: Ibid.
to issue an order forbidding his troops: Miller, “Benevolent Assimilation,” p. 58.
(approved by the president): Corbin to Otis, September 7, 1898, in Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, p. 2:789.
“I shall be obliged”: Elwell Otis, message to Emilio Aguinaldo, sent in dispatch to Corbin, September 7, 1898, ibid., p. 788.
Otis toned down the wording: Miller, “Benevolent Assimilation,” p. 47.
“Affairs much more satisfactory”: Otis to Corbin, September 15, 1898, in Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, p. 2:790.
Permission was granted: Corbin to Otis, December 21, 1898, ibid., p. 2:857.
“It is most important”: Ibid.
“The President considers it”: Corbin to Otis, January 1, 1899, ibid., p. 2:866.
“is to be extended”: WMcK, “Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation,” sent to Russell Alger, December 21, 1898, ibid., p. 2:858.
30,000-strong force: “Filipino Army 30,000 Strong,” New York Times, January 25, 1899.
“I believe it only a matter of time”: quoted in Silbey, A War of Frontier and Empire, p. 61.
“to exercise sovereignty”: Senate resolution, quoted in “Filipinos Will Be Free,” New York Times, January 12, 1899.
“an act of war”: Ibid.
“Among the powers of nationality”: quoted in ibid.
“continued uncertainty”: quoted in “To Vote on the Treaty,” New York Times, January 26, 1899.
“the lack of sufficient votes”: “Still Lack Two Votes,” Washington Post, February 1, 1899.
would let the treaty die: Ibid.
dangling patronage and other favors: Karnow, p. 138.
“Oh . . . that need not trouble you”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 149.
McKinley sat at his Cabinet Room table: GBCD, February 4, 1899, Box 52.
“It is always the unexpected”: quoted in ibid.
At 8:05 the next morning: Dewey to Long, February 5, 1899, in Correspondence Relating to the War with Spain, p. 2:894.
“We are still driving enemy”: Otis to Corbin, February 5, 1899, ibid.
fifty-nine U.S. servicemen had died: Karnow, p. 144.
the first shot likely had been fired: Ibid., p. 140.
“Hangs Upon a Thread”: “Hangs upon a Thread,” Washington Post, February 5, 1899.
the final two votes: “Should Help Treaty,” Washington Post, February 6, 1899.
The Senate revealed its sentiment: “Senate Ratifies the Peace Treaty,” New York Times, February 7, 1899.
McLaurin announced his support: Ibid.
“not intended to incorporate”: quoted in “The McEnery Amendment,” New York Times, February 7, 1899.
died in the House: Gould, The Spanish-American War and President McKinley, p. 118.
Jones of Nevada switched: “How the Vote Was Taken,” New York Times, February 7, 1899.
fifty-seven votes for ratification: Ibid.
“It was the closest, hardest fight”: quoted in Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 358.
“with a beaming smile”: Ibid.
“Only a few hours before”: quoted in ibid.
“Pretty pugnacious”: Beisner, p. 152.
109 meetings: “The Spanish-American War: Tropical Preventive Medicine (1898–1914), The Spanish-American War (1898), Part VII,” U.S. Army Medical Department, Office of Medical History, http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/misc/evprev/ch7.htm.
Chicago, Detroit, Harrisburg: Cosmas, p. 285. Subsequent details about the commission and related quotes are from this source.
Miles took umbrage at a cable: Ibid., p. 286.
The general again took umbrage: Ibid., p. 287.
Miles went public with his animosities: Ibid.
“Gen. Nelson A. Miles”: headline, Washington Post, February 12, 1899.
parade through New York: Cosmas, p. 288.
“wild with suppressed rage”: quoted in ibid., p. 289.
tasted of boric and salicylic acids: Ibid., p. 290.
“At the best”: “Roosevelt on Army Beef,” New York Times, January 14, 1899.
liquefaction of the meat’s fat: Associated Press, “Report of War Board,” Washington Post, February 9, 1899.
found it “in perfect condition”: “Cabinet Tests the Beef,” Washington Post, February 11, 1899.
“not borne out”: Associated Press, “Report of War Board.”
“with as black a heart”: quoted in Cosmas, p. 292.
“the words of violence and heat”: quoted in “Gen. Eagan Is Denounced,” New York Times, January 14, 1899, reprinted from Washington Times.
“long in duration”: “Gen. Eagan to Be Tried,” Washington Post, January 18, 1899.
“unbecoming of an officer”: quoted in ibid.
Miles quickly retreated: Cosmas, p. 294.
“colossal error”: quoted in ibid.
Eagan was found guilty: “Gen. Eagan Found Guilty,” New York Times, January 29, 1899.
McKinley commuted that sentence: “General Eagan’s Sentence,” Washington Post, February 8, 1899.
“The honor of the army”: “The President and Algerism,” New York Times, January 31, 1899.
his name elicited hisses: “Alger in Boston,” New York Times, February 18, 1899.
“clear the atmosphere”: William Osborne to WMcK, March 3, 1899, WMcKP, Reel 6.
Alger traveled to Cuba: “Alger Back from Cuba,” Washington Post, April 15, 1899.
announced plans to run for senator: “Alger Aims for the Senate,” New York Times, May 1, 1899.
“Gov. Pingree is for President McKinley”: quoted in “Pingree’s True Position,” New York Times, June 27, 1899.
The question whether I am for McKinley: quoted in ibid.
Gage did the same: “Blame Secretary Alger,” New York Times, June 28, 1899.
“Why,” asked the New York Times: “The President and Algerism,” New York Times, January 31, 1899.
“Mr. Alger is a burden”: quoted in “Algerism,” Times (London), June 30, 1899.
“kindliness of [McKinley’s] heart”: quoted in “New Report about Alger,” New York Times, February 26, 1899.
“demand for a change”: GBCD, July 13, 1899, Box 52.
“with every courtesy”: Ibid.
“several rather trying interviews”: GBCD, July 19, 1899, Box 52.
“Something will come to a head”: WMcK, quoted in GBCD, July 18, 1899, Box 52.
“Well,” said the president: WMcK, q
uoted in GBCD, July 19, 1899, Box 52.
“I’ll leave that there to-night”: WMcK, quoted in ibid.
“frank and murderous smile”: quoted in Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 380.
presidential messenger, Congressman Lemuel Quigg: Ibid., p. 379.
“The President directs me”: quoted in Zimmermann, p. 147.
“great satisfaction”: WMcK, quoted in GBCD, July 22, 1899.
23. AGUINALDO
$50,000-a-year position: “Speaker Reed Retires,” Washington Post, April 20, 1899.
“Speaker Reed’s withdrawal”: Ibid.
“This seems like a great waste”: quoted in Grant, p. 362.
“Had I stayed”: quoted in ibid., p. 363.
“a man of little scope”: quoted in ibid., p. 251.
he had set foot in the White House: “Speaker Reed Retires.”
Carl Schurz and Mark Twain: Beisner, p. 180.
“Your friend personally”: quoted in ibid., p. 181.
“half a dozen bloody wars”: quoted in ibid., p. 27.
a robust opposition movement: Ibid., p. x.
“It would be no mean task”: Ibid., p. xii.
feared a massive influx of “Spanish-Americans”: quoted in ibid., p. 27.
“There has never been a republic”: “Mr. Hoar on Imperialism,” Washington Post, January 10, 1899.
“disastrous to the republic”: “Disastrous to Republic,” Washington Post, December 30, 1898.
“much troubled”: Dawes, p. 182.
“enormous responsibilities”: Ibid., p. 183.
“in the name of human progress”: WMcK, speech at dinner of the Home Market Club, Boston, February 16, 1899, in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley, from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 185.
5:25 p.m. on February 15: “President Starts for Boston,” New York Times, February 16, 1899.
The party reached Boston at 10:02: “The Arrival in Boston,” New York Times, February 17, 1899.
“Yah, yah, yah”: quoted in ibid.
“in quietude”: quoted in “Our Duty as We See It,” Washington Post, February 17, 1899.
“the largest banquet”: Ibid.
“Liberator”: quoted in ibid.
“universal and hearty commendation”: Home Market Club speech.
“There was not a spark”: “The President in Boston,” Nation, February 23, 1899.
President McKinley Page 66
