The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07

and separateness: but he had been the
country's leader through all It's revoluuon'
and was always kind OF nero. "hoh
parties could not absorb. jackson work
ed his own will as President, and seemed
TO change the very nature OF the govern
ment while he regned: but IT was a new
social force that spoke in him, and ne
re-created a great party. Lincoln mado
the Presidency the government while the
war lasted, and gave the nation great
ruler: but his purposes were those or a
Disciplined and determined party and
his time was a time OF fearful crisis. when
men studied power not law. No one OF
these men seems the normal President, or
affords an example Of the usual courses
on administration. Mr.. Cleveland l-as
been President in ordinary times, but
after an extraordinary fashion; not be-
cause he wished to form or revOlutonize
or save the government. but because ne
came fresh to his tasks without the cofn-
mon party training. direct fearless
somewhat unsoDhisticatcd man OF acton.
In him we got a President as 1t were. by
immediate choice from out the body OF
the people as the Constitution mas an
along appeared TO expect. and he mas
refreshed our notion Of an American chleI
magistrate"
Professor Wilson then sketches accu-
rately Mr.. Cleveland's official beginnings
and political deve.opment-step by STEP
his growth In craftsmanship: the broaden
ing of his mind and sympathles; his con-
fllct with party leaders; his bold disre-
gard OF party clamOr. 1T was ineslta-
BILE" the author says. that he should
shock and ALLEVIATE all mere partisins,
alike by his temper and by his methods.
He called himself a party man, and had
no weak stomach for the processes or
party management; but he had not sought
Office as a career and he deemed ms
party better served by manliness ana ih'
tegrlty than by chicancery. He was blunt.
STRAIGHTFORWARD, plain-spoken, staiWart
by nature. used 10 choosing and pushing
his own way; and he had sober au-
dacity, which made him no caucus man
His courses Of action We're incalculaole
TO the mere politician, simply because
they were not based upon calculation.
After pointing out Mr. Cleyeland's prin-
cipal official acts. and discussing them
in their true relation, Professor wilson
concludes as follows: I'VE shAli not pre-
tend 10 know what history shan say OF
Mr. Cleveland; we need not pretend that
we can draw any common Judgment OF
the man from the confused cries that now
ring everywhere from friend and foe. We
know only that he played great part.
that his greatness is authenticated by the
nassion OF love and of hatred he has
stirred up: that no such great personality
has appeared in our politics since LIN
coin: and that, whether greater or less,
his personality IS his own, unique IN all
the varied history Of our Government.
He has made policies and altered parties
after the fashion Of an earlier age In our
history. and the men who assess his fame
in the future will DO no partisans, put
men who cove candor, courage, honesty.
strength. mistaken capacity and high
purpose snch as his
| wish the article could be read from
beginning to end by every intelligent man
I'm the South. IL could certainly be read
with decided profit by our young men.
II Is a. noteworthy fact that Professor
Wilson has no personal Acquaintance win
Mr.. Cleveland. II shows how a trained
and dispassonate thinker. familiar with
historical methods, can. by studying the
writings and observing the career or q
public character. know a! about him.
for his portra1ture OF his subject IS more
human and truthful than would De th~t
of many q personal 1E4eAu u -e'o 49,
insight.
Ainan OF Professor Wilson's equipment
should prepare another paper, showing
tho parallel between Washington ond
Cleveland. Such 4 parallel would he both
startling and suggestive. Washington
"The Father OF His Country" the wise
and patriotic Chief Magistrate. and the
noblest OF mon. was misrepresented and
fercely abused by a large part Of the
American people OF his time II Is hard 70
realize with what venom some OF the
early leaders assailed his character ana
motives. And yet who dares say aught
against Washington now7 Well. Cleve-
land will be just as fully vindicated In his
tory as the great and good Washington.
Politicians OF the narrow sort can 80 on
and malig-n the ex-President as much as
they please. Broad and fair-minded men
to-day hold him I'm high regard. and are
profoundly grateful 10 him for his manly
course: his sagscious handling OF great
problems Of state. In less than twelve
months his enemies WI become more
moderate. and II will not be- very long
while before his praises will be sung by
the vast majority Of our American peo-
pie. W. A.
Richmond. va. March s. 1897.