The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-11-20
"A Man of Destiny.v

Immediately after the Friday morning
session of the National Convention in
which Governor Cleveland was nomi.
mated, Abram S. Hewitt, of New York,
and General Butler met in hall of the
Palmer House. To question of Hew.
lit as to what he would do, Butler an-
swered that he had not yet made up his
mind. Hewitt then spoke as follows:
General Butler, have been an inter.
ested observer of your career for quar-.
ter of a century. I have meyer known Of
man or measure you were afraid to an.
tagonize. You have gained victories,
but have also met defeats. Now let me
admonish you against opposition to this
man Grover Cleveland it will meet only
disaster. ] am in a position TO offer this
advice. l have not always admired him.
A year ago rather derided the mention
Of him for this candidacy; indeed, had
some anticipation of its coming to me,
and there were dozens of older and more
experienced Democratic leaders / thought
more deserving the honorthan Cleveland.
But within the year I have noted him
well, and my estimate of him has changed.
He is really a wonderful man-fully
equipped ior the Presidency. But more;
! look upon him as man of destiny. I
believe he has been selected by Almighty
God as special agent for defeating the
Republican party and reforming the
administration of this Government"
The foregoing conversation is here
printed for The first time. OF course,
Mr.. Hewitt's ascription to Cleveland of
the mystic hold upon fortuitous fate is
not argument. The supporters of the
Republican candidate would find in any
faith of Cleveland's success grounded on
the ''star of destiny" idea weak super.
stition to laugh at; though, in truth,
such faith would be no less absurd
than the imagination which parades that
invisible in war and invincible in peace
as "the Plumed knight
Nevertheless it is worth. noting that
there have teen men whose triumphs
have seemed to be guided by what we
term destiny. The first Napoleon fully
believed his achievements so directed.
Richelieu, the great Cardinal of France,
claimed to be proof from harm by violent
hands, declaring "the stars had said it,"
In ourown age Ulysses S. Grant, with
less military experience and less renown
than other as brave and sagacious Gen
erals, passed over them all to the COM
membership of them all. By many he
was termed man OF destiny.
Call it what you will-forlune, fate;-
destiny or special Providence-there is
back of some men an impelling current
setting to preferred harbors. Vanderbilt
and Gould we're never brainier, more in
dustrious nor more ambitious for wealth
than thousands about them who have
never accumul ated half hundred thou.
sand. Abraham Lincoln had never. been
the most active or noted worker in the
abolition cause whose adherents selected
him for their candidate; James A. Gar
field was less prominent than several Re-
publican leaders over whose candidates.
he was chosen by his party in 1880.
Whatever is this subtle element, Gro.
yer Cleveland has been its beneficiary.
It has sent offices and honors in quest of
him, not waiting for him TO 60 in quest
of them. From the retirement ofa quiet
profession he was. called to reform the
administration of a considerable city and
performed the trust. From that Mayor.
atty he was elevated for like purpose
to an Office which in its exactioDs and
extent of bestowment of patronage is sec.
ond only to that of the Presidency; and
now, for the same work of reform, one of
the great National parties has selected
him as its standard. bearer. His star has
been steadily in the ascendant. Fortune,
fate, destiny, or special Proyidence-call
it what pleases each-has crowned his
every former nomination with victory,
and it appears TO be still lending him its
good right hand.-Indianapohs Sentinel.