Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-12-20
Washingtun Staudarl
O,XuPIi. WASH.
FhlpiY EVENING, DECEMBER 20. 1895.
Cleveland characteristics.

Cleveland characteristics.
Probably no better authority exists
regarding the mental and physical
makeup Of President Cleveland, than
the orr.Iouida. When he was candi-
date the first time il utterly dis>ectel
him inch-hv-nch and showed up all
his personal characteristics, and all
IN deed. and mi>derds. in the plain
language which it, talented editor
knows 40 well how to use. The esti-
mate was based upon what subsequent
events have shown 10 have been close
observation OF the acts and thorough
knowledge Of the nature of the man
who was then SO mercilessly exposed
to the public eye.
Among other traits OF character for
which due credit was accorded were
seliishncsS. and its ACCOMMODATING
counterpart ingratitudc, which are as
responsive to natural law as the poles
o! the magnet. Inordinate self-love
always implies want of affection for
others. and we are not surprised to
find in the Presidents character, as
laid bare by the Oregonidn's scalpel, a
cold disregard of those ameneties
which most men recognize in their
social, business and political inter-
course.
This characteristic was the wet
blanket given delegation of old-time
Democrats who FASTENED on to Wash
ington soon after Mr.. Cleveland's first
Inauguration, merely that their failing
vision might rest upon a" Democratic"
President, before their eyes we're closed
to earthly scenes. 1t was a consum-
nation they had longed for, hoped for,
prayed for. They wanted no offices
for themselves or friends, but simply
to press the hand of one they fondly
believed represented the principles
that had been ingrained into their
very nature by life Of earnest labor
and steadfast devotion.
But alas! this slight reward for duty
we'll performed was denied them
Their reception at the White House
was so cold and formal that they re-
turned home dazed by the SHOCK
which their pride and patriotism hat
sustained. They realized, all at once
that they were no longer needed as &
stepping-stone to exalted position
that they, with other cold men" who
were persistently snubbed, were nc
longer needed in the plans already
laid for personal aggrandizement.
Mr.. Cleveland seems to regard al
office seekers as plague-exceptin,
himself; all "old men" in politics a
contemptible-except himself. II
fact, he has lately shown symptoms o
a growing belief that the unwritter
law against third-term of the Presi
dency, however applicable in all othe
cases, is void so far as regards him
self.
This knowledge of Mr.. Cleveland
true nature is shown by the Oregonia,
in the following paragraph regarding
the loss of the "Noblest Roman O
them ALL" Allen G. Thurman, who il
life felt the force of that utter disre
gard of obligations and respect du'
him as q statesman and political CO
laborer. The praise bestowed upol
the dead is but exemplification of in
herent selfishness, to secure the favo
OF Thurman's friends. 1t says:
President Cleveland, it is said, regard
Allen G. Thurman dead as lone of tn
greatest and truest patriots of the repub
ic." Allen G. Thurman living, h
sighted, snubbed and turned down
whenever official opportunity presented
His contempt for odd men" in polite
found expression in this way wheneve
occasion permitted, until finally the Oh
Roman, who as Ceveland's runnin,
mate in 1888 gave the Presidential tickle
much of the support that it received
took the hint and ceased to ask, or ex
pect, Cleveland administration favors
Words cost nothing, and a dead maj
never presumes upon them to call ant
ask recognition for political service rem
dered. Hence their effusiveness upol
occasions of this kind.