Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-11
CLEVELAND AND HANCOCK
Reflections Connected With the Coming
dwelling of the Statue.
The Presidents Support of the Demo-
cratic Candidate in 1SSO-Events
Since Then.

Ihere Is some pleasant and instructive
talk growing out OF the program arranged
for the unveiling of the Hancock statue to-
morrow. 1t bears upon the part assigned to
Mr.. Cleveland. and the exceptional pleasure
it is known he will take in performing it.
He will preside and make q short address.
The statue is erected to Gen. Hancock
national figure-as a great soldier VINO per-
formed heroic services in defense of the
Union. But Gen. Hancock in one ma
tional campaign party leader, and as such
developed in the field of politics the same
capacity for inspiring the love and admira-
ton of men he had done as commander
in the field of war.
Supported Hancock I'm 1850.
1t was in 1850 that Gen. Hancock ran for
the presidency. At that time Mr.. Cleveland
was a resident of Buffalo, but without
thought of national career He was well
known at home and very highly respected.
He had served the city in the oiiice of
mayor and won praise for his faithfuiness
to public trust He had exhibited capacity
for politics. His own campaigns had ieen
well conducted. He proved TO be good
organizer, and he had won his battles. The
party clubs knew him, and now, in this ma
uonal fight, he signaiized in every way his
interest in his party's success. The candi-
date excited his admiration. He felt strong
ly drawn TO the splendid soldier and man
who was now carrying the party's standard,
and he worked with will for him. He at
tended the rallies, and lighted a torch at
night and walked in the marching process
slonS organized to increase and spread
party enthusiasm. The fight was lost, but
Mr.. Cleveland, ii is known, has never abat-
ed any of his admiration for the Character
of the man VINO led the democratic host
that year.
Events That Have Since Transpired.
l., ,La,
familiar with Mir. Cleveland's life in office
and with his equipment for public business,
had, under the joint Inspiration OF friend
ship and prophecy, pointed TO him at that
time and said: Gen. Hancock will be de-
feated at the polls, but the party will lind
a winning champion next term. and he is
row but solder in the ranks there, carry
ing his torch at night without thought of
reward. He Will be the partys candidate
four years hence, and will defeat the most
brilliant republican of the generation. lie
VIII be renominated in lSsS by acclamation
and with unbounded enthusiasm, and,
though defeated at the polls that year, VIII,
even in retirement remain at the head of
his party, and III 1892 will break the record
by securing third consecutive nomination
and an almost unprecedented triumph he
fore the people. In 1896 equestrian
statue Of Gen. Hancock will lie unveiled in
Washin gton, and Grover Cleveland, AS Pres
siGent of the United States, VIII preside
over the ceremonies"
reading Of the future like that in any
mans behalf would have arrested attention
only as the eXh .bition of a lively fancy. 1t
would not have Received moments serious
consideration. Ii would have been held
that such fortune was not possible to any
man in the ranks, even under the highly
favorirg conditions of a republic. The
prophecy would have been called dream.
What would thus have been foretold is now
history-a series of remarkable facts ac-
compliShed.
Can History BE Repeated:
Could such history, anything even
approaching it, he repeated in any other
mans case? The era of speculation about
presidential candidates is again at hand.
There are some brilliant men in the demo-
with tie confidence of constituencies
the great goal. All ambitious men strive
for 1t. But the party is ct present sadly
divided. Leaders who, by reason of ability
and experience, are in every way entitled
to aspire to the executive chair, are en-
hGrrassed by faciional differences and fac
ional fighting, snd this makes it difficult
to pick candidate. But the party must
have candidate. Will he come from the
ranks again? Is there another strong man,
ca pable, confident but without thought of
playing leading part, now marching in
the raf.ks who is to be called by fortune
10 take the standard and carry il? And if
so, where does he reside?
Great embdrra SSmentS produce great sur
pr.ses. The demccracy's embarTaSsments
were never greater than now. Is the de-
mocracys surprise to b. the turning down
of the old leaders, as in 1854 ana the nomi-
ration of Il man for President as yet un-
known to national life?