 The front porch campaign that McKinley decided on was a natural extension of the pilgrimages to Canton by McKinley devotees that were already occurring . After a few initial stumbles , things settled into routine by mid @-@ September . While any group could visit McKinley by writing in advance , his campaign arranged for many of them , and they came from towns small and large . If possible , the group 's leader was brought to Canton in advance to confer with McKinley on what each would say ; if not , the group would be met at the Canton railroad station by a McKinley representative , who would discuss what would be said with the group 's leader . There were parades every day in Canton that campaign season , as the groups marched through the bunting @-@ draped streets , escorted by a mounted troop known as the McKinley Home Guards , who saw to it that groups arrived at the McKinley home on a prearranged schedule . There , the group leader would deliver his remarks , and McKinley would deliver a reply often prepared in advance . Afterwards , there might be refreshments or the opportunity to shake hands with McKinley , before the delegation was escorted off for their return journey to the railroad station . If it rained , the meetings took place in one of several indoor venues . 
