Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-04
"a MAN OF DESTINY
This Is Abram S. Hewitt's Absorption
to Grover Cleveland.
Ldianapolis NentineL.

Immediately after the Friday morning
session of the National Convention in
which Gov. Cleveland was nominated,
Abram S. Hewitt, of New York, and Gen.
Butler met in hall of the Palmer House.
To question of Hewitt as to what he
would do, Butler answered he had not
yet made up his mind. Hewitt then
spoke as follows:
"Gen. Butler, have been an interested
observer OF your career for a quarter of a
century. 1 have never known of a man
or measure you were afraid to antago-
nize. You have gained victories, but
have also met defeats. Now let me ad-
monlsh you against opposition to this
man Grover Cleveland; it will meet only
disaster. l have not always admired
him. a year ago l rather derided the
mention Of him for this candidacy; in
deed, had some anticipation of its COM
ing TO me, and there were dozens of older
and more experienced Democratic leaders
l thought more deserving the honor than
Cleveland. But within the year l have
noted him well, and my estimate of him
mas been changed. He is really a Won
dertul man-fully equipped tor the Presi-
dency. But more: look upon him as a
man of destiny. | believe he has been
selected by Almighty God as a 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..
Hewitts ascription to Cleveland of the
mystic hold upon fortuitous fate is not
argument. The supporters of the Repub-
lican candidate would find in any faith of
Cleveland's success grounded on the
star OF destiny" idea weak supersti-
tion to laugh at; though, in truth, such a
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 been men whose triumphs
have seemed to be guided by what we
term destiny. The first Napoleon fully
believed his achievements so directed.
Rlchelieu, 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 renown than
other as brave and sagacious Generals,
passed over them all to the commander
snip OF them all. By many he was termed
a man Of destiny.
Call it what you wilI-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 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
republican leaders over whose candida
cles 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
of considerable city, and
performed the trust. From that Mayor
atty he was elevated for a 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 selected him as
its standard-bearer. His star has been
steadily in the ascendant. Fortune, fate,
destiny or special ProVidence-call it
what pleases each-has crowned his
former nominations with victory, and it
appears to be still lending him its good
right hand.