The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-26

me the recipient OF tine greatest n0nOf
that can be bestowed upon any man; but
what remember most wildly in connec-
ton with the great office of President are
its responsibilities and the labor and
anxiety attending an attempt to do the
work which the people had entrusted to
me. The impress made upon the mind and
heart of one who stands daily face
to face with the American people. charged
with the protection of their rights and
the advancement of their varied interests,
can never be effaced, and scarcely gives
room for the qualification naturally sup
posed to attach to high and exalted place.
am led to mention In this connection as
a spur to official labor and as a sign of po-
litical health the watchfulness of the peo-
pie and their exactions from their chosen
representative to whom they have confid-
ed their highest trust. If they are exact
ing and critical, sometimes almost to the
point of injustice, this is better than pop
ular heedIessness and indifference con-
corning the conduct of public servants
Mr.. Cleveland spoke of the impressive
ness OF the q uiet retirement to private life
OF an ex-President. and continued
sHere he is. or should be, subject to the
same rules of behavior which apply co his
fellow countrymen and should be ac-
corded the same fair and decent treat
ment unless he has in some way for
feited it.
WHAT TO DO WITH Ex-PREsIDENTs.
But 1t MHSt De aQmlttSa tHab our PEG
pie are by no means united in their ideas
concerning the place which our ex-Presi-
dents ought to occupy or the disposition
which should be made of them. OF course
the subject would be relieved of all IN
certainty and embarrassment If every
President would die at the end of his
term. This does not seem, however, to
meet the views OF those who under such
an arrangement would be called on to do
the dying, and SO some of them continue
to live. and thus perpetuate the perplex-
ity of those who burden themselves with
plans for their utilization or disposition.
IA very ami using class among these
anxious souls make us useful by laying
upon our shoulders ali sorts of political
conspiracies If they are to be believed,
we are constantly engaged in plotting for
our own benefit and advancement, and
are quite willing, for the sake ofreaching
our ends, not only to destroy the party
TO which we belong, but to su bvert popu-
| lar liberty and utterly uproOt our free
American institutions. Others seem of
| the opinion that we should be utilized as
orators at county fairs and other occas-
| ions of all SORTS, and at all sorts Of places.
Some think we should interfere In every
| political contest. and should be CONSTANT
| iy in readiness to express an opinion on
every subject Of political character that
anybody has the ingenuity TO suggest.
Others still regard il as simply dreadful
disturbed every time an ex-Presideut
ventures TO express an opinion on any
subj ect Not few appear to think we
should simply exist and be blind, deaf
and dumb the remainder OF our days.
SENTIMENT or THE SENSIBLE.
I'm the midst of all this vast majority
of the plain American people are, as usu-
| al. sound and sensible. Tney are self
respecting enough and have dignity
enough TO appreciate the fact that their
respect and confidence as neighbors in
something which an ex President may
well covet, and which, like any other
man, he ought to earn. They will meas
ure the regard and consideration due to
| him by his Il nselfishnesS and worth as q
private citiz en-. They will not agree
| that the fact of his having been Presi-
dent gives him any license for bad be-
havlor. nor that it burdens him with an
unfavorable presumption. These are
sentiments which we. on the side OF
| the ex-Prcsidents, will gladly adopt.
| and these conditions we can well
! afford to accept In conclusion, desire
| to express the confident opinion, passed
upon a short experience and supple
mented by the kindness which character
| ICES this occasion, that no better place
| can be found as d retreat for ex-Presi-
| dents than Barnstable county. They are
sure to receive here all the Cape Cod hos
pitality and friendly treatment they de-
thrown in.
'sFrom the bottom of my heart say to
| you. that while do not mean in the
least to detract from the honor arising
| from the incumbency of high official
place, nor undervalue the designation Of
! casion affords me chiefly consists in the
| cordialfty with which you have greeted
| me as your neighbor."
GovEKNER RUssELL's PRAISE.
| Governor Russell followed Mr.. Cleve-
| land, and during his remarks said:--
1.-The sturdy citizens OF Cape Cod, lay
| ing aside for the time all distinctions of
| party, meet today to extend hearty well
| come to our distinguished guest know
| that you are glad to have the Common
wealth. standing as she does above all
| differences of political opinion, join with
] You in welcoming to her borders the ex-
| President of the United States. whom
you gladly greet as a neighbor and a
! friend"
Turning to the ex-President Governor
| Russell said
at is not fitting here in the presence of
meu who have honest differences Of opin-
ion on political questions for those of us
| who were In close sympathy with your
| administration to recall and praise the
many measures which, in the peoples in
| terest, you promoted; nor is it necessary,
| for the country has not forgotten them.
we can all meet today on the common
| ground of recognizing duty well and
| bravely performed. whether by political
| friend or political opponent.
I'VE recall that throughout your term
OF ardous service you strove to raise the
standard of public life from the low level
of personal and selfish ends to the high
plain of duty and patriotism. Every man
today clothed with official responsibility
and striving honestly to meet it is
strengthened in his Chords by the cour-
ageous standard which you dared to set
We recall that with singleness of purpose
and forgetfulness of self you summoned
the conscience and intelligence of the
country to an examination and discus
sion of grave measures of public policy,
and. In an earnest effort to serve the
people. We're willing to sacrifice personal
ambition and to give up power.
THE AFFECTION OF THE PEOPLE.
"But it is not only the ex-President, but
the man, whom we gladly welcome among
US. Ont of Office, stripped of power, you
still come close to the hearts of the peo-
pie, still hold their respect and their con
fdence. Still is your voice powerful
influence in moulding and guiding public
opinion on the questions of the day.
"Gladly and sincerely, | am sure, the
people of the Cape extend to you this
welcome It is welcome from sturdy,
upright people. simple in their tastes,