Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-02-12
l.. II, MELBOURNE,
@. SCOTT DUvALL,
JOHN HoRNER,
Mrs. II. Fl. MILLER.
Nv ell Done, Good and Faithful Serv-
ant"

Mr.. Editor. Ii Is common assertion that
the faithful heart seldom receives Its due re-
ward in life, but that honors come post NOR
tenn when the heart is insensible to them.-
The desire is strong to continue life in the
affections Of men when gratitude is lost in
death, but wonder, IL man had his choice,
if he would not indicate his natural selfish.
ness and love OF admiration by demanding
Immortality in lie.
Taking mental glance over the worlds
biography, we must conclude that the pub.
lie servant is oitener the recipient of the gall
OF censure than he is of the mead of praise.
Even Washington, untainted patriot as he
was, received not the greatest honor that
was ever granted him--the title of "Father
of his Country"-untll death had closed his
ear 10 praise and stilled his heart TO the re-
Spouse of his countrymen's reverence and
devotion. There was period in his mill
tary career, when fortune seemed To have
forsaken his cause, that large portion Of
his people lmpetuously demanded his re-
moval from the command OF the army.
jackson, perhaps second In the estimation
Of the American people to day, was accused
in life of having broken about all of the
commands of the decalogue. SO odious was
| he to certain young military aspirant that
he pulled Jackson's nose when holding the
exalted position oil Chief Magistrate. Web
| stGr, 1t Is said, was sometimes found IN a
helpless condition OF inebration, and had 10
be transported TO his quarters on wheel
barrow Clay was accused of being a
chicken fighter and gambler. But o, how
| the historian has renovated the life OF his
hero of every blotch OF demerit until the
historic page is whittier than the driven
snow.
Uneasy rests the head that wears the
\ ornunp h1t n would appnn that ~ half nj
the accusations that are hurled against the
rulers OF this nation were just, then indeed
must rest uneasy the soul OF him who has
shared Presidential honors
Pierce was a "coward who swooned be-
fore the enemy in Mexico" Buchanan was
too cowardly TO uphold the flag of his
country" Lincoln was II "rail splitter and
| 4 heartless Jester !" johnson was "a bloody
tyrant, worthy Of impeachment" Ruther.
ford Il. Hayes was called "Returning Board
Hayes" Harrison was "Force Bill Harri-
son !" Garfield was the only one who cvel
escaped the personal fang of scandal, and
he only under the merciful hand of the as
sassin.
II ia a spectacle almost as sad as death TO
witness the remanding of the ambition:
office holder TO the political doom OF retire
| ment. But actual death is very often the
near successor of political doom. Very often
the doomed politician finds rest and conso
lation in the silence and seclusion OF the
grave.
The examples that have been given to de-
pict the uncertainty ri political life, draws
the writer to the question What will be thu
verdict of those who honored the outgoing
incumbent of the Presidency with the en-
dearing title, "Our Grover" when he passes
forever from political influence?
Will there be a general conclusion by his
old friends that the concluding paragraph
of his last message could be properly ap
piled to his official careerp These are hi
closing words-his brief farewell address :
"When our differences are forgotten and oul
contests of political opinion are no longe
remembered, nothing in the retrospect 0
our public service will be as fortunate and
comforting rs the recollection OF official duty
we'll performed, and the memory of con
slant devotion TO the interests OF our con
fiding fellow countrymen"
1T is not the intention of the writer to re
fer at length TO Mr.. Cleveland's offlcia
career, but he will say that II 1t could be his
privilege, II would be one Of his Creates
pleasures In life TO inscribe upon his officia
monument the words that head these lines
swell done good and faithful servant"
Comus, Feb. 8, 1896. Y.