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ACCEPTING NOMINATIONWOULD BE HIS REPUBLICAN DUTY
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MCKINLEY, WILLIAM. Autograph Letter Signed, “William McKinley Jr.,” as
Representative, to journalist Guy S. Comly, with holograph “Confidential for the present”
written at upper edge of first page, explaining that he would accept the nomination for
Governor if an undivided Republican Party nominated him and, in a postscript, remarking
that judgments about nomination should be left to the convention. 6 pages, 8vo,“House of
Representatives” stationery, written on the rectos and versos of three sheets; horizontal
folds.With the original envelope, addressed in his hand. (TFC)
Washington, 26 December 1890
[600/900]
“
. . . [A]bout the Governorship. I have noted with no feeling of indifference the sentiment throughout
the State for my nomination—a sentiment which I have in no way influenced or promoted by any
word or suggestion of mine; and therefore it is all the more gratifying to me. I have not thought that I
ought to be a seeker for the nomination at the hands of the Republican party, and I cannot and will
not be placed in that position. I would not want to be at the head of the ticket unless it was the mani-
fest sentiment of a majority of the Republicans of the State. If that shall be the sentiment when the
convention assembles and it shall so declare I should esteem it both an honor and a duty to respond to
the call. . . . I think I know what labors and responsibilities would attach to a nomination at that
time. It will be one of those periods in our political history in the State . . . when no Republican can
afford to decline any call of duty which his party may make.”
The postscript: “It may be that before the convention assembles some body else’s nomination would
seem the wisest to make, and therefore it would be best that no earlier judgment should be created
which might embarrass the Republicans of the State.The strongest nomination must be made which it
is possible to make.”