Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-25

tsrJ in tine public eye
srouses fresh interest in all that pertains to
them.
WALTER o. GRESHAM.
The Man Who Will BE Mr.. CIeveland's Sec
rotary of state.
No figure belonging to the coming admins
tration will attract more attention than that OF
Judge Gresham. Mr.. Cleveland's Secretary OF
State. Not that IT is an unfamiliar figure, Tor
Mr.. Gresham has been before the country
prominently for many years. But Mr.. Gresham
Is the most unique of the members named by
Mr.. Cleveland for his official family. coming as
he does so fresh from the republican party and
from the candidacy for its highest hono-s-
Among the oldest friends whom Judge Gresham
has in Washington is Mr.. o. o. Stealey Of the
Courisr-JoErndL l had very agreeable chat
with Mr. Stealey few nights ago about the
Coming Secretary Of State.
Il have known Judge Gresham for a long
time said Mr. Steaiey Il have lived in the
old second Indiana district. where he resided. for
TWENTY-FIVE wears Nv first intimate acquant-
ance with him began in 1870. IL was in that
year that he made hi memorable fight for Con-
Rress a. the republican candidate against
Michael c. Kerr, afterward Speaker OF the
House OF Representative. his campaign was
perhaps the most exciting OF the many exciting
political eanva~seS made in that noted political
state. in 1870 the war feeling still ran high in
Indiana. il did IN most of the northern states.
The second district largely democratic,
eight of the strongest democratic counties being
thrown together Gresham led forlorn hope
from the Start. but he made rafting fight for
his party and the campaign attracted great
deal OF outside interest Gen. Gresham took
the offensive from the start. He charged Kerr
with being member OF the Knights of the
Golden Circle and Sons of Liberty and a rebel
symTathiZeT. Kerr. though the ADLER man of
the tive. no match for Gresham in a joint
discussion which had been arranged. remem-
Der one OF the meetings of the campaign wildly
Is though II were yesterday.
TALKING TO A DEMOCRATIC CROWD
"a joint discussion had been advertised to
take place at little village in Clark county
named Uties. The place OF meeting was to be
in a school house. the capacity of which would
not exceed go men The hour set for the
meeting was $50 in the evening. few
minutes after Z, however the janitor sur
rendered the kew 20 the democratic managers
and IN less than ten minutes the little school
house packed with a mob of democrats.
Gre-ham rode up TO the door in a wagon about
$50 He was then. n now, a fine soldierly
looking man and attracted a great deal Of at
tention- He was helped from his
carriage, for at that time he used crutches,
- he still suffered from his wounds
IN the war. His friends surrounded
him and told him of what the .copperheads'
had done. He replied: All right. / didn't
come here to talk TO republicans anyhow.
Nothing could please better than such q
good opportunity to deliver a good republican
speech to democratic crowd With this he
made his way through the crowd into the room,
where he was received with boots and wells Of
"Hurrah for Kerr from the assembled demo-
Gratis. 1t perhaps ten minutes before
Gresham was allowed to proceed with his
speech SO noisy were the demonstrations
agains: him. He stood up. however. leaning
on his crutch. and finally was allowed to make
his speech His manner so captivating
that he soon caught the crowd. and he de-
hvered one of the best and gamest political
speeches l ever heard. He went for Kerr
agely. denouncing him In the most vigorous
and emphatic language. Mr.. Kerr followed.
but as ne WAS poor declaimer and q rather
timid man he did not succeed in arousing much
enthusiasm even among his friends The meet
ing was quite an exciting one. and when i; ad-
tourued the democrats were quite dispirited.
Only a few more joint discussions were held as
IL was evident that the friends Of Kerr did no.
see how any good results could follow from a
canvass of the kind. Although Kerr was elected
by very nearly the usual democratic majority
sill the democrats acknowledged that Gresham
had made one of the best campaigns ever made
for the republicans IN that Gibraltar OF rock
ribbed democracy.
HIS ASSOCIATIONS MOSTLY AMONG DEMOCRATS
were mostly among democrats Some of his
most intimate ana boon companions were Of the
strongest of demOc ats The democrats there
always sort OF liked the man. notwithstanding
they differed so widely in politics. and many of
them wondered then. they have often won
dered since. how such a democratic man SEEM
ingly in all his tastes and habits could be A
member, OF the republican party. Judge
Grerksm married from a democratic family.
his brother-In-aw, Tho. NeGrath. being one
of the best of democrats. Judge Gresham visits
his old home in Harrison county. Ind. about
twice wear His mother. though quite aged
ts still living. and Is still able to attend TO all Of
the household work She is ALWAYS delighted
TO see her bos Wat. rs he is so well and famil-
iarly known at home. She insists on attending
to his every want during his STAY with her and
will allow TO prepare ANYTHING for his
meals but herself. Judge Gresham always likes
to tell about his visits to his mother and dvells
upon the loving and devoted attentions OF the
old lady.
Judge Gresham when Postmaster General
and Secretary of the Treasury under Arthur
was the most popular Of any cabint officer that
has been Il Washington in INV day. He did
not allow visitors to cool their heels in ante
rooms. but always nsd them shown Immediately
to his presence unless he was really engaged
or important matters. and then those who
called were told so in such a nice way that they
were convinced OF the fact He treated every
body courteously and genteely and was kind to
al with whom be necessarily came in contact.
After he left the department he would saunter
up street and frequently drop into the bust
ness places OF scqusintances and spend as long
time a. he cou.d In pleasant converse When
not engaged at home BY social duties OF even
ings he would often come down town and drou
in on his friends to hear what was going on
Among The places that he visited quite fire.
quertly were the newspaper Offices. where he
was always a welcome guest The return of Gen.
Gresham to Washington the first cabinet officer
Of President Cleveland ~ q of pleasure
to many who have the pleasure OF an ac-
Quaintsnce with the able and distinguished
gentleman. He is hale-fellow-well-rl met. and
one OF the few men in public life who Carries
his heart on his sleeve"
COL. DANIEL :. LAMONT.