Quick Reference
Background
Rumor had it that the popular McKinley, no sooner elected to a second term, would seek a third; and this, his friend and Secretary of the Navy says, is absolutely untrue:
Yesterday afternoon I was going to drive with Agnes at four but the President sent for me and I drove with him to the Soldier's Home and back. We talked about the stir that has started about his being a candidate for a third term. As I am opposed to a third term and as I think the suggestion of it is particularly unfortunate at this time, when the cry of imperialism is raised, I am delighted that he is of that view and also would not take a nomination if tendered it. After we returned to the White House a little statement for the press was prepared. In the evening the other members of the Cabinet came over, I going over with Peirce, and I think a statement will be published this afternoon. The President is exceedingly acute and wise. He gauges public sentiment. He has right views of things. Then, too, personally he could not desire to have a third term with its burden of responsibility, especially if he should complete his eight years with the ability and success which have marked his administration so far.
After the special cabinet meeting Davis attended, McKinley dictated and signed this statement: “I will say now, once for all, expressing a long settled conviction, that I not only am not and will not be a candidate for a third term, but would not accept a nomination for it if it were tendered me.” After all, as power-broker and McKinley intimate Mark Hanna told McKinley, upon his nomination for his second term, “your duty to the country is to live for four years from next March.” But that happy thought would be obliterated less than three months later, when an assassin shot and mortally wounded the president in Buffalo.
Of particular note is the mention of Dr. Rixey, the White House physician. It would be Rixey who would pronounce McKinley dead.
Yesterday afternoon I was going to drive with Agnes at four but the President sent for me and I drove with him to the Soldier's Home and back. We talked about the stir that has started about his being a candidate for a third term. As I am opposed to a third term and as I think the suggestion of it is particularly unfortunate at this time, when the cry of imperialism is raised, I am delighted that he is of that view and also would not take a nomination if tendered it. After we returned to the White House a little statement for the press was prepared. In the evening the other members of the Cabinet came over, I going over with Peirce, and I think a statement will be published this afternoon. The President is exceedingly acute and wise. He gauges public sentiment. He has right views of things. Then, too, personally he could not desire to have a third term with its burden of responsibility, especially if he should complete his eight years with the ability and success which have marked his administration so far.
After the special cabinet meeting Davis attended, McKinley dictated and signed this statement: “I will say now, once for all, expressing a long settled conviction, that I not only am not and will not be a candidate for a third term, but would not accept a nomination for it if it were tendered me.” After all, as power-broker and McKinley intimate Mark Hanna told McKinley, upon his nomination for his second term, “your duty to the country is to live for four years from next March.” But that happy thought would be obliterated less than three months later, when an assassin shot and mortally wounded the president in Buffalo.
Of particular note is the mention of Dr. Rixey, the White House physician. It would be Rixey who would pronounce McKinley dead.
Typed Letter Signed (with initials), 2 pages, quarto, Navy Department, Washington, June 11, 1901. To his daughter, Miss Margaret Long.
Read More
all pages and transcript
Page 1/2
JOHN D. LONG,
SECRETARY.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, G.
WASHINGTON,
Tuesday, June 11, 1901.
My dear Peggy:
I have today your letter of the 8th. The check for Boyle & Haas went on the day of the receipt of your telegram. I will forward other amounts as they are due and as you send certificates from MacLaren. The telegram frank was all right.
Today I send by express a box for Helen's birthday which we hope will arrive on the 16th. Yesterday Peirce was examined by Dr. Rixey and Dr. Anderson. Today they are to remove the abnormal growth of his tonsils. Of course his mother and he have been a little uneasy, and their night's sleep was broken.
Yesterday afternoon I was going to drive with Agnes at four but the President sent for me and I drove with him to the Soldiers' Home and back. We talked about the stir that has started about his being a candidate for a third term. As I am opposed to a third term and as I think the suggestion of it is particularly unfortunate at this time, when the cry of imperialism is raised, I am delighted that he is of that view and also would not take
SECRETARY.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, G.
WASHINGTON,
Tuesday, June 11, 1901.
My dear Peggy:
I have today your letter of the 8th. The check for Boyle & Haas went on the day of the receipt of your telegram. I will forward other amounts as they are due and as you send certificates from MacLaren. The telegram frank was all right.
Today I send by express a box for Helen's birthday which we hope will arrive on the 16th. Yesterday Peirce was examined by Dr. Rixey and Dr. Anderson. Today they are to remove the abnormal growth of his tonsils. Of course his mother and he have been a little uneasy, and their night's sleep was broken.
Yesterday afternoon I was going to drive with Agnes at four but the President sent for me and I drove with him to the Soldiers' Home and back. We talked about the stir that has started about his being a candidate for a third term. As I am opposed to a third term and as I think the suggestion of it is particularly unfortunate at this time, when the cry of imperialism is raised, I am delighted that he is of that view and also would not take
Page 2/2
2.
a nomination if tendered it. After we returned to the White House a little statement for the press was prepared. In the evening the other members of the Cabinet came over, I going over with Peirce, and I think a statement will be published this afternoon. The President is exceedingly acute and wise. He gauges public sentiment. He has right views of things. Then, too, personally he could not desire to have a third term with its burden of responsibility, especially if he shall complete his eight years with the ability and success which have marked his administration thus far.
We have a lovely morning. Your letter is very interesting and very gratifying; it breathes such an atmosphere of comfort and improving health and happiness in Colorado.
Dear love to you all,
Your affectionate papa,
JDL
Miss Margaret Long,
1502 Wood Avenue,
Colorado Springs, Colo.
a nomination if tendered it. After we returned to the White House a little statement for the press was prepared. In the evening the other members of the Cabinet came over, I going over with Peirce, and I think a statement will be published this afternoon. The President is exceedingly acute and wise. He gauges public sentiment. He has right views of things. Then, too, personally he could not desire to have a third term with its burden of responsibility, especially if he shall complete his eight years with the ability and success which have marked his administration thus far.
We have a lovely morning. Your letter is very interesting and very gratifying; it breathes such an atmosphere of comfort and improving health and happiness in Colorado.
Dear love to you all,
Your affectionate papa,
JDL
Miss Margaret Long,
1502 Wood Avenue,
Colorado Springs, Colo.
