New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-05
TWO IDEALS.

I'm his remarkable letter to "The lnde-
pendent" which we copied on Wedhesuay'
DIR. Storrs describes General Harrison as dis-
tinctly representing whatever is best In the
American life and spirit" Within the year
another eminent citizen has presented to the
pub lic view his ideal American. AT the Free
Trade dinner in Boston last winter Mr.. James
Russell Lowell proclaimed President Cleveland
to he "the best representative of the highest
+vne of Am ,anism since Lincoln was
snatched from us" Offering in advance what
ever apology the Brooklyn clergyman may
think the comparison requires, we venture TO
observe that DR. Storrs and Mr.. Lowell possess
many qualities in common. intellectual force
and finish, exquisite literary taste, wide learn
ing, deep culture all the external graces and
rare and beautiful huency of speech-these
are advantages which they both hold in perfect
command Moreover, forgetting for the mo-
mont that Mr. Lowell still retains his friend
ship for Godkin, the man who sought to
decoy him into the bottomless in
fanny of betraying his sacred trust
as a Presidential elector in 1875, their
private lives are spotless. They were both
born and bred in Massachusetts, and they are
separated in age by less than three years.
Dr. Storrs has not left the country in doubt
of his reasons for regarding General Harrison
as distinct representative of whatever is best
in the American life and spirit Here is his
description of the Republican candidate
A particularly Just, serious thoughtful and con-
sclcntiouS man, domestic in his habits pure In his
tastes OF friendly and generous spirit, independent
In thought and unspottcd in reputation, while elo-
qucnt in utcrance and gallant in the feld-a reverent
and devout man. highly bonored by his neghbors,
with considerable experience in public affairs faith
ful and panstaking in all duties.
Though DR.. Storrs did not shirk the obliga-
ton four years ago to express his opinion OF
Mr. Cleveland, it is not necessary to suppose
that he kept another type of candidate in mind
while he wrote that glowing sentence. When
such skill as his was employed to draw picture
of General Harrison the contrast, though I'M
thought Of, could not fail to be appalling
These opposite ideals set up by two men who
might be, at first thought expected to adopt
similar standards, suggest an interesting in
quiry. We have seen why Dr. Storrs regards
General Harrison as distinctly representing
whatever is best in the American life and
spilit.n Unfortunately for himself, Mr. Lowell
ing out of what material he has constructed his
representative American. Mr.. Cleveland IS
not particularly just, serious. thoughtful and
conscientious; but he is a Free Trader Even
Mr. Lpwels devoted friend, Mr.. Godkin, would
never say that he is domestic in his habits,
pure in his tastes; but he is Free Trader.
Is he of friendly and generous spirit"?
Those who are brought into official relations
with him long to be at liberty to answer that
question: but he is q Free Trader. We had
his own word for it in 1884 that he was not
unspotted in reputation; but he is Free
Trader. Is he eloquent in utterance"? ASK
the cyclopedia; but he is a Free Trader. Was
he gallant in the fieldn? May Heaven pre-
serve the country but he is Free Trader.
No one except Mr.. Beecher ever imagined that
he was "a reverent and devout NAM; but he
is Free Trader. Is he "hiShly honored by
his neighbors"? The neighb orhoods in which
he spent his maturing manhood are places to
be avoided by reputable people; but he is
Free Trader And so Mr., Lowell prOnounces
his panegyiic and desecrates noble memory
by declaring that the President is the "best
representative of the highest type OF American
ism since Lincoln was snatched from u.s."
The contrast in their ideals reveals the con-
trast in the men. The Brooklyn clergyman,
scholar and orator has preserved and fortified
the sturdy American spirit which he inherited.
Experience and reflection have confirmed the
natural instincts Of patriot. lie has travelled
far and wide, but he has brought home from
the Old World a clearer conception Of the des-
tiny which awaits the New. The anthor of the
Bglow Papers has been seduced from the
application of his own early teachings. The
Establishments of a more elaborate social sys-
TEN and the material PROJECTIONS of an older
civilization have only served to distort the
image of his own country.