The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-08-06
"a MAN OF DESTINY"
This is Abrham S. Hewitt's Ascrip-
ton to Grover Cleveland.

IhIS Is ADrnam -. dc"1Eb
tion to Grover Cleveland.
Indianapolis Sentinel.
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. TOa question of Hewitt
as to what he would do, Butler answered
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 century. I have never known
of man or measure you were afraid to
antagonize. 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. l have not always ad-
mired 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 experience democratic
leaders [ thought more deserving the
honor than Cleveland. But within the
year I have noted him well, and my es-
innate of him has been changed. He is
really a wonderful man-fully equipped
for the presidency But more: look
upon him as a man of destiny. l believe
he has been selected by Almighty God as
special agent for defeating the repubG
can party and reforming the administra-
ton 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 re-
publican candidate wonld find in any
faith of Clevelands success grounded on
the g star of destinity" idea a weak SUI
perstitiOn to laugh at t.; though, in truth
such a faith would be no less absurd than
the imagination which parades that in
visible in war and invincible in peace as
the ''plumed knight"
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that
there have been men whose triumphs
have seemed to be guided by what we
term destiny. The irstNapoleon fully
believed his achievements 50 directed.
Richilieu, the great cardinal of France,
claimed to be proof from harm by violent
hands, declaring the stars have said
it." In our own age Ulysses S. Grant,
with less military experience and less re-
nOwn than other as brave and sagacious
generals, passed over them all to the
communicating of them all. By many
he was termed a man of destiny.
Call it what you will-fortune, fate,
destiny or special providence-there is
back of some men an impelling current
setting to preferred harbors Vanderbilt
and Gould were never brainier, more in
dustrious nor more ambitious for wealth
than thousands about them who have
never accumulated a half hundred thou
sand Abraham Lincoln had never been
the most active and 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 be this subtle element Gro
yer Cleveland has been its beneficiary.
1t has sent offices and honors in quest of
him, not waiting for him to go in quest
of them. From the retirement of 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 exactions and ex-
tent of bestowment of patronage, is
second only to that of the presidency !;
and now, for the same work of reform,
one of the great national parties has Sc
lacted him as its standard-bearer. His
star has been steadily in the ascendant.
Fortune, fate, destiny or special provi-
dence.-call it what pIeases each-has
crowned his former nominations with
victory. and it appears to be still lending
him its g-ood right hand.