The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-05-31
Record of a Busy Life.

ttlepnOHe.
Record of Busy Life.
Walter Quinton Gresham was born near
GAINESVILLE, Harrison county, Ind. March IT.
1852. He was educated In country schools. and
spent one year in the state university at
Bloomington but was not graduated He
studied law in Corydon, Ind, was admitted to
the bar In 1883 and became a successful law
yer He elected to the legislature in 1860
but resigned in August 1851 TO become lieu
tenant colonel OF the Thirty-eighth Indiana
regiment.
Services in tho War.
He was promoted to colonel OF the Fifty
third regiment in December. and on August IL,
1888 after the fall Of Vioksburg, was made
brigadier general of volunteers He COM
manded the fourth division of Blair's corps
in the fighting before Atlanta and received
severe wound that disabled him for q year and
prevented him from seeing further service.
March Is. 1885. he was brevetted major general
OF volunteers for his gallantry at Atlanta.
Made Judge by Grant.
After the war he resumed the practice OF
law at New Albany. Ind He unsuc-
cessful republican candidate for congress In
1896 and In isG7s financial agent OF his state
In New York. President Grant, who held him
in great esteem, made him United States
Judge for the district Of Indiana in 1852 and In
1880 he was an unsuccessful candidate for
United States senator
In the Cabinet.
He resigned his judgeship in April. 1892 to
accept the place OF postmaster general in
President Arthurs cabinet, and In July. 1884 on
the death OF Secretary Folger, was transferred
10 the treasury portfolio In October OF that
year ne was appointed United States judge for
the Seventh judicial circuit. He was a strong
supporter of Grant for third term In tho
Chicago convention OF $780, and promi-
nently mentioned as candidate for the
publican nomination for president in the con-
vention at Chicago that nominated Benjamin
Harrison.
In 1892 the populst party sent a delegation
10 tender Judge Gresham a nomination at the
head OF their ticket, but he declined to accept
the offer and remained on the bench until he
resigned at the personal request OF Mr. Cleve-
land TO become secretary OF state.
Gresham as Secretary Of State.
While Judge Gresham had always been q re-
publican. he openly dissented from the Nc
Kinley law and in 1892, after the nomina-
ton OF Mr.. Cleveland by the democrats
he with other distinguished republicans.
announced his allegiance to the demo-
cratic party and advocated Mr. Cleve-
lands election. After Dir. Cleveands cleo
tion In February. 1893 he summoned Judge
Gresham TO Lakewood ~ j.. where after q
consultation. he rendered him the position OF
premier of the cabinet ne was forming Judge
Gresham assumed the duties OF secretary OF
state on March :, 1893 Some OF the promi-
nent questions which have come before him
since assuming the position are the Hawaiian
difficulty. seal fisheries dispute, the abroga-
tion OF eciprocity treaties, efforts to prevent
the Chnese-Japanese war and the Blueheds
affair.
Personally Secretary Gresham secured the
warmest regard OF those most closely associ-
ated WITH him. In all his domestic relations
he most exemplary. His brilliant record
as a brave soldier and his conscientious devo-
tlon to his duties in the high civil capacities
TO which he was called will insure for his
memory national respect.
Presidents Proclamation.
The president has issued the follow
ing proclamation:
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
Walter q. Gresham, secretary OF state OF
the United States, is dead. The president. in
making this distressing announcement to his
fellow-countrymen, speaks from the depths OF
personal affliction to remind them that they,
too. have lost pure and able public servant a
wise and patriotic guardian OF all their rights
and interests, manly and loyal American
and a generous and lovable man.
AS q suitable expression OF national bereaye-
ment, l direct that the Diplomatic repre-
sentatives OF the United States in all for
eign countries display the flags over their
embassies and legations at half-mast for ten
days. that for a like period the flag OF the
United states be displayed at half-mast at all
1OrtS anu Hliitaty postS anu AT all naval sta
tions and on all vessels OF the United States
further order that on the day of the funeral
the executive departments In the city of Wash
ington be closed and that on all public build
ings throughout the United States the nation
al flag be displayed at haf-mast.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
BY the President EDWIN +. UHL,
Acting Secretary OF State.
Done at the city OF Washington, this 18th
day Of May. in the year OF our Lord 1895. and OF
the independence OF the United States OF
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