REVIEW Writer reveals McKinley's personality, humor

The 25th president tried every avenue of diplomacy before going to war.
By THERESA M. HEGEL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
"William McKinley and his America," by H. Wayne Morgan (Kent State University Press, $55)
If you live in Northeast Ohio, you're probably well-acquainted with the name of our 25th president. But how much do you really know about the life and achievements of Niles native William McKinley?
A detailed and interesting source of biographical information is "William McKinley and His America" by University of Oklahoma history professor H. Wayne Morgan.
The revised and expanded edition of his book, which was originally published in 1963, was recently released by Kent State University Press.
Featuring prominently the highlights of McKinley's career, the book outlines his time as a soldier in the Civil War, his short stint as a lawyer in Canton and his long career in politics -- as a congressman, governor of Ohio and as president of the United States.
However, Morgan doesn't gloss over the tragedies of McKinley's life, such as the deaths of his children when they were still young and his assassination by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in 1901 shortly after his re-election.
Morgan's analysis of McKinley's actions in office is incisive and erudite but remains fairly comprehensible and readable. According to Morgan, most of McKinley's policies stemmed from his belief that "government functioned to reflect the people's best wishes."
Greatest asset
Morgan explains that McKinley's greatest asset was "his understanding of the people and of the divergent forces of the American system." To McKinley, "the art of politics was the reconciliation of divergent interests."
Noting that McKinley's time as a soldier had left him with a distaste for war, Morgan shows how the former president used his tact and attentive ear to fashion compromise and accord from conflict and strife.
Although the United States fought with Spain over Cuba during his term, McKinley didn't embark on that short war until all attempts at diplomacy had failed and until he was certain that it was the avenue desired by most Americans.
Perhaps the most engaging sections of Morgan's book are those that illustrate McKinley as a man, not just as a politician. Through extensive use of anecdotes and vivid descriptions, Morgan paints McKinley as thoughtful, charming and hard-working, a doting husband and loyal friend.
He was always well-dressed, with a trademark carnation in his lapel, and he was formal in public settings, often reserving his wit and playful side for private occasions
McKinley loved interacting with the people who had elected him, and he always had a special fondness for children, possibly because his own did not survive.
Example of tact
Morgan relates an event indicative of McKinley's tact and good humor:
"McKinley carefully shook their hands ... and, as they turned to go, gave the carnation in his lapel to the older brother, Bruce, while the younger, Win, looked on jealously. The president then took a fresh carnation from a vase, put it in his buttonhole for a moment, and gave it to Win. He had worn both and preserved boyish seniority."
Though based solidly on historical research -- as Morgan's impressive bibliography proves -- the book portrays events in almost fanciful detail, and certain passages have a novel-like feel, nicely offsetting Morgan's drier discussion of tariffs and legislation.
hegel@vindy.com