The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-26

OF their rights and the advancement of their
varied interests can never be effaced, and
scarcely gives room for the qualification nat
ura iy supposed TO attach to the high and ex
alted place.
wATcBFULNEss OF THE PEOPLE
am led to mention in this connection as a
spur to official labor and as a sign of political
health the watchfulness of the people and
their exactions from their chosen representa-
tlves TO whom they have confided their
highest trust. If they are exacting and critical
sometimes almost to the point of injustice, this
Is better than popular heedlessness and indiffer-
enee concerning the conduct of public servants.
IL has always seemed to me that beyond the
greatness OF the office is the supreme i'm
portance of its duties and responsibilities.
THE Rx PRESIDENTS.
The most impressive thing connected with The
presidency is the fact that after its honor has
oeen relnquished and after its labor and respon
siolhty are past, we simply see that citizen
whom the people had selected from the ranks
to do their bidding for time and to be their
agent in the discharge of public duty has laid
SIDE rye honor and work Of the highest offict
IN the world and has returned
again 10 the people to resume at their side the
ordinary duties which pertain to every day citi
zenship. Here he is, or should be. subject tc
the same rules of behavior which apply to hi,
fellow-countrymen, and should be accorded the
same fair and decent treatment, unless he has
III some way forfeited it.
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
But IL must be- admitted that our people are
by no means united in their ideas concerning
the place which our ex Presidents ought to oc
cupy or the disposition which should be made
OF them. or course the subject would be re-
HeVed OF all uncertainty and embarrassment II
every President would die at the end of his term
ms does not seem, however, to meet the views
OF those who, under suoh an arrangement,
would be called upon to do the dying and so
some OF them continue TO live and thus perpetli.
ate the perplexity Of those who burden them
tAF ftaip r,fi1 fyat
sition.
SOME OF THE PREVALENT IDEAS.
A very amusing class among these anxious
souls make us useful by laying upon our shoul.
ders all sorts of political conspiracieS If they
are to be believed we are constantly engaged in
plotting for our ewn benefit and advancement,
and are quite willing, for the sake of
fSeaching fSs cur ends not only to destroy
but to subvert popular liberty and utterly up
root or free American institutions. Others
seem OF the opinion that we should be utilized
as orators at county fairs and other occasions
OF OF all sorts and at all rts of places Some
think we should interfere in every political
contest, and should be constantly in
readiness to express an opinion
on every subject of political character that
still regard 1t as simply dreadful for us to do
these things, and are greatly disturbed every
time an ex-President ventures to express an
opinion on any subject. Not q few appear to
dear
and dumb the remainder OF our days.
GOOD SENSE OF THE MASSES.
In the midst of all this the vast majority of plain
people are, as usual, sound and SEN
sible. They are self-respecting enough and
have dignity enough to appreciate the fact that
their respect and confidence as neighoors Is
something which an ex-Presdent may well
covet and which, like any other man. he
ought to earn, They will measure
the regard and consideration due to him by his
usefulness and worth as private citizen. They
will not agree that the fact of his having been
President gives him any license for bad behavior,
nor that It burdens him with an unfavorab
presumption. These are sentiments which We
on the side of ex-Presdents will gladly adopt,
and those conditions we can well afford to &c
cept.
Mr.. Cleveland's remarks were frequently
applauded, and as he closed there was ans
other outburst of applause.
CLEVELAND PRAISED.
Gov. Russell was then introduced. The
governor spoke warmly in eulo9y of Mr..
Cleveland's administration and closed as
follows:
Massachusetts believes in sound currency.
She will not lend her aid to any movement,
whatever may be its source and however honest
may be its purpose, which In its result would
debase our currency, unsettle credit, impair
values and give to labor In depreclated
money less than its just dues. Her people
sincerely believe that such a movement
mistakes the remedy for Just grievance, and
will but add to the distress 1t seeks to relieve
The country with a confidence ia you of which
any man in private life might well be proud
listened for an expression of your opinion. 1t
would have been easy to have remained
silent or to have given an answer
meant to hide, rather than to declare your
views. That was the course pointed ont by self
interest and political ambition; but had you
followed it you would have been untrus to the
people and untrue to yourself. A patriot and
man of conviction daros to tell people the truth
and.to take the consequences. We minglewith our
welcome to day our admiration for the courage
that led you fearessly ana emphatically to
state your convictions, and again to lead public
opinion to the right conception of an important
public question.
Mayor Nathan Matthews, Jr., OF Boston.
was introduced after Gov. Russell and gave
the clty's greeting to the ex-Presideut and
one to whom the city, commonwealth and
country owed 80 much of craftsmanship and
honest and fearless politics.
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS HEARD.
Charles Francis Adams said three great
questions that have loomed up since the
war are now prominent in all minds: Pro-
lection, pensions and the currency. II the
views of public policy and the course In re-
gard 20 those great questions enunoiated
and laid down in state papers by to-dav's
guest, are the principles of the Democratic
party, then gentlemen | am a democrat
President Charles +. Choate of the Old
Colony Railroad Company raised hearty
applause by saying: II can say as a busi-
ness man that the silver letter of ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland is the most important SER
vice to the business community that could
possibly have been rendered. can con-
ceive of no greater mischief possible to the
business of the country than free silver
CHEERS FOR HARRISON.
A dozen others spoke. Among them was
Harvey n. Collision of Boston. who was in
as president Of the Young Mems
Democratic Club of Massachusetts,, and
the non-partisan character of
the occasion by saying he would bs proud
to join in a tribute to any republican who
had done faithful service. He then called
for three cheers for President Harrison,
which were heartily given, Mr.. Cleveland
rising and waving his handkerchief.
The exercises closed at $3.50 o'clock aud
Mr. Cleveland and Gov. Russell were es.
corted by the band to the station. Shortly
they were taken to Chatham,
where they will spend Sunday at the Hotel
Chatham.
FPEE nTTJURRY OFFfN1S