New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-14
CLEVELAND'S WAR RECORD.
WAS lie AN ENEMY or THE uNIoNf
coon RtAsoNs why uE suouIp mn OPERATED
ron rRrsinrNE

nurIAlo. Aug 1.-THE lack of enthusiasm Tor
Grover Cleveland at his home city, whrn wv" ''',
eumstaneon of his past life here aud oo'a' fooufu
nro considered, In not ~ matter Tor w"hn"r in'
Governor last Waited the city ON tho OCCASION "i
the unyeuing of the soldiers Monument, july L.
He WAS then the most conspicuous candidate Tor
the Democratic Presidential nomination. aud ms
official appearanee here would naturally obtain
for him warm greeting The city was hlled
with ex-veterans of the war and everybody
was supposed to be bubbllng over
with feelings of patriotism. 1t was particularly
opportune time for the people of the city to show
their appreciation of former townsman who had
been chosen to the high office Of tho Governor OF
the STATE. ana was candidate for still higher
office But Trustworthy officers who took part in
the procession assert that the Governors reception
was painfully cold and that they felt mortified at
the faint cheer which greeted his appearance AT the
soldiers monument To make up IN some manner
for that officers who interested In the banquet
in the evening at which the Governor was TO be
present as invited guest sent word to their COM
rades to cheer vigorously when he came into the
room.
PRo-sLAYERY sYMPATHIEs.
The lack of enthusiasm for the Governor
on such an occasion is perhaps natural
seouence to his record here during the war.
His uncle, the Hon. Lewis 7. Allen. at whose COM
Portable mansion the Governor made his home
of the strong sympathy which Grove" early eX-
bibted with the Democratic party. II is recalled
of him that in 1853, when he became voter he
took sides with Buchanan in the matter Of the
Kansas Lecomp.On constitution and drew up some
resolutions TO that effect to be introduced IN
Democratic club. He staunch Democrat
when the war broke out and has ever since con-
tinued in good fellowship with that party. If he
ever exhibited any sympathy with the Union cause
Iop to fnH any Vl1Q a
here.
During the darkest hours of the war Nallandig-
nam and several notorious Confederates were pot
ting treason at the Clifton House across the border
at Niagara Falls There were a nlmber OF Demo
Gratis in this city who frequently went TO Canada
10 confer with those eminent pro-slaveTy members
of the party II has been said here that Grover Cleve
land was one Of the Democrats who thus made visits
across the border. Union officer stationed in this
CITY whose business it to keep track of those
persons comforting together at Clifton. was asked
recently if Mr. Cleveland one OF them. He gave
n as his recollection that such the case though
the official records not in his posses
siou Mr. Cleveland may have gone mere ly
out Of curiosity to those great mon
from the south or he may have had sympathy for
them akin to that exhibited by his associate on the
ticket. Mr. Hendricks. who did not need 20 visit
Canada 10 express his disapprova of the war In
curry was made last week Of Mir. Cleveland
uncle. the Hon Lewis + Alien as to whether or
not he remembered those visits Grover "a said to
have made TO Canada " ! do not remember now.
wa the reply. But should think It likely that
he won't with hisasaocatos smoug whom were men
not in sympathy with the Union cause. ! can well
remember that he was very decided I'm his con
victiuus at that time. and "a was strong Ropuh
lican we discussed the subject OF the war quit"
frequently. and used to banter him about the
Coniodcracy"
CRIMINAL ron SUBSTITUTE.
when the war broke ont Mr. Cleveland A. in
ms twenty -Gfth voat-a strong shlo-bodiod man.
II has boon said that no remained homo tp aid iu
ruppnrting his mother who lived IN Oneida Coun-
ty Rut careful Inquiry from Trustworthy family |
sonrcoa dooa not bsat out that assertion, It's t"" |
brothorn who wont 30 the war. aud particularly Tho
younger one are said to have done more TO A'H'7t |
the mother than Grover, who remained at home ia |
tho enjoyment OF good salary as Democratic !
Official ia Emo ConntY-an Assistant D!7- |
trict-Attornoy. lilo was fortunate enough To escape
The drst draft, aud was again fortunate in getting |
a low-prIoed substitute when his country finally |
called upon him. At least such Is the statement of
prominent citizen, who was officially connected |
al the time with the Enrolment Board Tins gen !
temeu SAYS that il was in the power of the CRY |
off ias to pardon remit the sentences of prison !
ers in the Workhouse. Many were let out promise
of becoming substitutes for Democratic officials. /
Mr. Cleveland is SAID to have secured his subst
tute In that way As he was a lawyer, officially |
connected with the prosecution of criminals /
be would naturally have unusual al |
vantagcs In securing such a SUBSTITUTE. [
OF his disposition not spend any more OF ms own
money for any purpose whatever than was abSo,
lutely necessary there to he no difference OF
opinion 1t would have cost HIM several hundred |
dollars to get a subs Itute in the regular way.
Whether not he saved ali of that money by pro-
curing "a work nous substitute, there may be some
question. But there Is the evidence of response
bic official that he did furnish workhouse sub
stltute.
NEVER KNOWN To AID HIS COUNTRY.
Mr.. Cleveland was not prevented either by /
physical inirmitIes or family ties fro. tax
ing an active part either IN the field at home
IN behalf of the Union cause. Did be ever lend his
voice or his pen. or even his presence at a public
meeting to give encouragement aid to the brave
men at the frontf That rs question 10 answer
which careful search made of the files during
the entire war period of the three leading daily
newspapers in this city representing both parties.
Except as a Democratic candidate for office, the
mention Of Grover Clevelands name could not be
found from the beginning To the end OF the war.
learned. single of the many puOllC |
movements in behalf of the Union cause or
IL behalf of any object whatever, except the pos
session of q pubic office and IL rs not on record
that he ever made even for that purpose a
paign speech. And this might be carried further
The record is SAID to be equally barren up to the
time he delivered his first message as Mayor tie
never made a speech, never presided at a meeting,
never gave an opinion, and was never heard of in
any WAY except a sheriff and practising attor-
ney. OF his record sheriff. so far as the public
yet knows the only part that attracted attention
was his acting executiOner for two unhappy
IIsLmen who were doomed TO the gallOws.
GOOD FELLOW
Unanimous testimony is borne here TO the fact
that personally Mr.. Cleveland a good fellow
and an able lawyer But he not the peer of