The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-05-30
GRESHAM DEAD.


Chicago convention against Harrison,
Sherman, Alger, Allison and the other
Republican leaders whose names were
presented, but his liberal tariff views
operated against him. When the Re-
publicans assumed power and revised
the tariff by the passage of the Mokin-
ley law, Judge Gresham, with other
Republicans, openly dissented, and in
1892, after the nomination Of Mr.. Cleve-
land by the Democrats, he, with other
distinguished Republicans like Wayne
McVeagh, who was attorney general
under Arthur, renowned their ale
glance to the Republican party and ad-
vocated Mr. Cleveland's s election. After
Mr. Cleveland was elected, In February
1893, he summoned Judge Gresham to
Lakewood. N. j., where, after consul
tation, he rendered him the position OF
premier of the cabinet he was then
forming. Judge Gresham accepted and
assumed the duties of secretary of state
on March 7, 1893.
Secretary Gresham found much to
dissatisfy him with the state of our
foreign relations when he resumed Of
fee this last time, and in his character
istic fashion he set to work to shape
these to meet his own ideas without de-
lay.
Opposed TO Anncxing Hawaii.
He had decided views upon the an-
nexation of Hawaii even before he earle
into the cabinet, and it was upon his
recommendation that President Cleve-
land performed almost his first official
action by withdrawing from the senate,
where 1t was pending, the annexation
treaty negotiated by Secretary Foster.
Then Mr.. Blount was sent to the island
republic to make an original investiga-
tion, and upon his report the secretary
made his now celebrated recommenda-
tion that the queen be restored, mas
much as she had been deposed through
the action of the officers of the United
States. When congress finally made
known its views the secretary accepted
them for his government, but it cannot
be discovered from any subsequent ut
terance Of his that he ever changed his
view as originally announced to the
Justice Of the action he had proposed.
While he was deep in the Hawaiian
negotiations, Secretary Gresham was
obliged suddenly to give immediate at
tention to the subject of the Bering Sea
seal fisheries. The arbitration arranged
by his predecessor was in full swing.
Here was another matter with which he
was not in harmony. he did not believe
that the arbitration would be successful
in the object aimed at by the United
States, namely-the protection of seals,
but regardless of the outcome, he was
forced to bring the British government
to renewal Of the modus vivendi or
quick action to carry out the award
when it was announced, in order to
guard against the annihilation Of the
seals
By a clause in the Wilson tariff act,
congress had swept in line all Of the
carefully constructed reciprocity treaties
negotiated by the preceding administra-
ton. This caused great anger among
the nations with which the United
States had such treaties, and the storm
fell upon Secretary Gresham's head.
Everywhere there was talk of retalia-
ton and tariff wars, and in some cases
this was realized to O certain extent.
It was Mr.. Gresham's task to placate
the European powers and how skillfully
he did so the printed correspondence
tells.
He wanted to repudiate the whole ar
rangement by which the United States
assumed part of the tripartite protec-
torate over Samoa and he worked hard
to this end, and finally succeeded in in
ducing President Cleveland to recon-
mend to congress that the the United
States withdraw from all further par
ticipation in Samoan affairs.
Helped Settle the Oriental War.
Then ON the constructive side Of di-
plomacy Mr.. Gresham had much TO his
credit. He did all that foreign officer
could do properly to prevent the late
Chinese-J Japanese war; lost no oppor-
tunity at any stage to bring it to an end,
and ultimately, when peace was re-
stored, it was through the good offices
| of the American ministers in China and
| Japan, acting under Secretary Gresham 3
instructions, that the peace negotiations
were initiated. And while he was do.
| ing this Secretary Gresham was also
using his good offices to prevent war
between Mexico and Guatemala.
At San Domingo the French warships
which had come there to enforce the col
lection of a private claim were with
drawn at very strong hint from Sec
retary Gresham conveyed through Am
bassador Eustis, that the United States
would not regard such course as q
friendly manifestation.
Again in Bluefelds, when the Brit
ish marines occupied the bluffs, they
were promptly withdrawn when Score
tary Gresham called upon Great Brit
ain for an explanation OF their landing
and securing disclaimer Of any wrong
purpose. And again when the Spanish
government undertook to stop an Amer
lean steamer by q cannon shot, Mr..
Gresham called for and secured a very
prompt yapology. Almost his last Off
cial action before he fell mortally n,
was to initiate the correspondence with
France intended to secure justice for
ex. United States Consul Waller, whom
he believed to have been ill-treated by
the summary French courtmartial in
Madagascar, and in whose interest he
notified Ambassador Eustis to inter.
fere.
A Kind and Generous Man.
In appearance Gresham was some.
what slender--in youth remarkably 90
six feet tall. His eyes were hazel
full and large. with the power "tC
threaten and command" but soft and
amiable in familiar conversation. His
voice was pleasing and consorted well
with his habitual demeanor, which was
quiet and modest. AS man he wai
kind, generous and frank. He wal
social and approachable. 1t was in hi
home life that he was most to be ad
mired. In 1858 he married Miss Matildi
McGrain, the daughter of Thomas Nc
GRAIN a ma1 of Scotch Irish descent
A son and daughter were born Il
them, who live in Chicago.
A Lynching In Maryland.