The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-01-22
PLACE IN HISTORY.
WHERE WILL GROVER CLEVELAND
STAND IN THE LIGHT OF
HISTORY?

STAND IN THE LIGHT OF
HISTORY!
Designs Against the Rcpublic-A Second
Struggle for The Principles of the
Declaration Of Independence
Nigh at Hand.
What manner of man is Grover
Cleveland, and what position will be
assigned him in American history, is
a problem of the future that may
now be discussed. Will his name be
blessed or accursed, depends on the
result of the gigantic struggle now
arising and pending between the in.
dustrial forces and organized capital
and greed. 1t is not true as a general
rule, that what the good men do is iu-
tered with their bones, and the evi.
they do live after them. This may
have beer more cr less true three
hundred years ago, when Shakes
peare wrote, but Christian civlliza-
ton has wrought good, and the race,
in many directions, is kinder and
more forgiving. Within our memory
Abraham Lincoln was by many de-
nounced and slurred as a
tbird-rate country lawyer; a
silly blackguard and an all
round charlatan and tlemagogue.
Time has elapsed, and the dark cloud
of partisan prejudice arising out of
war is dispersed, and we can now see
things in their true light; as they ex-
listed only thirty years ago. Former
friends and foes, the extreme ends of
bitter partisan warfare now unite in
their judgment that Lincoln was a
man of the noblest type, an intense
patriot, without stint or blemish; and
possessed with a soul overhowing
with love of country and humanity.
Selfshness and greed never entered
into or disturbed his divine makeup.
As long as men love liberty, brmani-
ty and God the character Of Abraham
Lincoln will stand forth as the purest
and nobiest example of unselfsh pa
triotism tEat the world has, perhaps,
ever produced. So the good Abra-
ham Lincoln did was not inferred
with his bones, but the evil he did, if
any, Las been cast, by common con-
sent, into oblivion. The evil men do
live after them only when it over
shadows the good. Men are not
Judged, however, for evil or good, by
their private habits and eccentricities
Of mind. Great and good men are
only men, and are hemmed in and
cast about by the frailties, passions
and lusts that beset the great mass of
humanity. The graudest and purest
of lives Lave had the bitterest strug-
giles to make the divine in their ma
lures triumph over the evil. The
fabric of the human character is not
erected, and mans estimate placed
thereon by what it has accomplished
for self, but by what it has accom-
plished for others. If a common
course in life has made pure hearts
slad--in any way elevated the race
and lightened its burdens-then such
character is blessed and Justly so.
In some, good and evil are so nearly
balanced that they pass out of the
world neither victor nor vanquisbed.
With such life is drawn battle. II
Benedict Arnold had remained true
to the cause of liberty rather than
self his coarse and degraded nature
would have escaped observation, and
his name would now be emblazoned
on fame's monument beside that Of
Washington and Green. Men will
continue to admire his self-sacrifce
and bravery at Quebec and lament
his fate. Self triumphed over hu-
manity and Arnold was lost. In him
there was good and evil, nearly bal
anced, but evil came out victor. At
this time in our history we are met
by character that is riddle and a
puzzle. But whether the character
of Grover Cleveland shall be blessed
or accursed in our Judgment depends
upon the result of coming events.
The triumphs of plutocracy and un-
holy greed Will declare his name
blessed; but if the brotherhood Of
man and the fatherhood of God wins
his name will he accursed Unique
characters come and go on the stage
of human life, but we have no par
allel to Cleveland in these days.
Strong and self-willed, his courage
EFFORTS appreciation from his enemies.
His fxedness of purpose almost per
suades men to think him honest. Is
he a product Of these degenerate,
profigate, and selfish times in our
republic? It may be. Cleveland
may have appeared at the proper
tine to serve those who are deliber-
ately seeking to overthrow, by de-
grees, if not suddenly, our republi-
can form of government, and substi-
lutte therefor monarchy or ar i'm
perialism; yet if such ever succeed in
their purpose, reasonable, and un-
hoiv rs it is, it seems to us that
Cleveland has appeared generation
o. more before his time. It is true
that the American people seem, for
the time being, to be lost to all sense
OF liberty and patriotism; as a result
of blind partisan spirit, and an idol
atroas worship of party and men.
It is charged, but we hope without
truth, tl!at our people seem ready to
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