Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-29
WEDNESDAY. MAY 90, 1895
secrctnry Gresham's Denth.


The tone Of all the papers Of the coun-
try is expressive Of very sincere regret AT
the death Of Secretary Gresham. 1t ~
conceded that he was an able and SIN
cere man; a man OF courage, independ-
ence OF character, and individuality OF
opinion. He made an honorable record
In the army. and rose from the rank OF
lieutenant-colonel II that Of 'brevet-
maior-general. In the circuit, as well
as in the district court Of the United
States he proved himself fine lawyer
and painstaking Judge. He was a great
admirer OF Chief-Justice Marshall's legal
opjnlons. and considered Marshalls rea-
sonings models worthy OF general imi-
tation. Under President Arthur he was
first Postmaster General, and after the
death Of Mr.. Folger, Secretary of the
Treasury. In both positions he gave TO
the country the service Of his patient
Industry, accurate legal requirements
and strong business sense.
Gresham and Harrison had long con-
tended for the mastery of the political
situation In Indiana. and Judge Gresham
evidently hoped 20 be the nominee Of his
party for the presidency in 1883, but the
magic OF Ingersolrs oratory failed TO
stampede the convention in his behalf
and the coveted honor went 10 Harrison.
In the days when tariff revision first
began to command general attention.
Judge Gresham took a position more
nearly allied 20 that OF the Democratic
party than to that Of the Republican
party. He dlssented from the policy which
the Republicans had adopted In the
passage Of the Mckinley bill, and in 1892
he declared himself for Cleveland.
Secretary Gresham was a man who had
many traits In common with Mr.. Cleve-
land lie was plain-spoken, not TO say
blunt, self-relant and determined The
views that he held lie made no secret Of.
Usually he let criticism Of his course
pass unnoticed confident in the ultimate
Judgment Of his countrymen.
Much was said in dispraise OF Judge
Gresham when he accepted place In Mr
-levelands Cabinet. The Republicans re-
viled him as a deserter, while his well
come by Democrats lacked coTdiaiity. lie
had so few OF the arts and graces Of the
iiplomatist that the general opinion was
against his fitness for the State portfolio.
But be went straight along in the per-
Torrance Of his duties. and. 80 far as we
know, was in full accord with the Presi-
dent in all Of the many grave matters
Of foreign policy with which he had
to deal.
The Dispatch could not always applaud
Secretary Gresham's foreign policy, but
we never failed to give him credit for
ability, for sincerity, and for patriotic
purpose. lie was so anxious not to be
twerved by the Jlngoists of the country
that at times IL seemed to us that he
leaned too far the other way. Nor have
We ever professed to believe that MIR.
Cleveland could not have found man
OF Democratic antecedents who could
have filed the post equally as we'll as
Judge Gresham did. But we always re-
cognized Judge Gresham as a man OF
sterling qualities. pure in private and
public life. and we have always' heard
that the President relied greatly upon
the Secretary's judgment and admired his
straightforward way of giving his opn-
ion. And We have no doubt Judge
Gresham was thoroughly loyal and de-
voted 10 the administration. His death
was probably caused by visits which he
paid to Woodley. to see the President,
when the weather was very bad.
1t had been said OF late that IT was Sec
rotary Gresham's purpose to leave the
Cabinet as soon as the state of the public
business would admit Of his retirement.
but II this was his purpose, it was, we
feel sure, because OF no disagreement
with the President, but rather that he
felt that his health was being under
mined by his harassing duties. He had
borne the strain and vexations Of public
life almost continually since 1861, and
It would have been strange, indeed. II
this had not told upon his health. His
was naturally a robust constitution, and
he seemed 10 have the knack OF throwing
Off small worries. but. all the same, the
tax upon his mind and body must have
been great for many, many years. AS 1t
was his death came as a surprise and
shock TO the country.
Already the newspapers are con-
Sidering the qualifications of vari-
GUS persons, for the vacant place. They
are namingS many names. but it is mere
guessing. III view Of the Tact that this
administration has less than two years
Of official life left It, and has a number
Of foreign questions to deal with. we
should not wonder IL the President called
10 his help some one who has had expert
ence in the diplomatic service. And in
this connection Mr.. Bayard IS frequently
mentioned.