The age-herald., 1898-03-02


 sons friendship for him was largely ac- eountable for his selection for vice-presi- dent in 1892 and for president in 1896. This was continued to the end of Jacksonss days, and was one of the reasons of Van Buren's great strength in the convention of 1Sl4, in which he had more than a majority at the outset, and would probably have had a two-thirds vote If the Texas annexation is- sue had not intervened. The humdrum ad- ministration which stands between the tempestuous days of Jackson and Polk, the latter being due to the Mexican war, was likened by Meridith P. Gentry, a North Carolina whig. to parenthesis. as 1t could be mentioned in a low tone of voice or omitted altogether without breaking the continuation of history. Polk was not potent figure in politics, although the events of 1S45-9 give his administration large place in history. Those events, though. which were dependent on Texas annexation. were largely shaped for him by Tyler, who was the author of the annexa- ton.
 In Lincoln the first real political leader who went to the white house since Jack son left it appeared. Lincoln's powers as a great executive were strikingly displayed in his management of the slavery question, and his postponement of emancipation un- til the people of the north were ready to sustain it. His views on the method of the restoration of the seeded states to
 
 from those of the majority of his party, as shown by the divergence between his provisional plan of reconstruction, outlined in the proclamation of December, 1863, and the Wade-Davis reconstruction bill which he killed by the pocket veto in 1864. The plan which was enacted two years after Lincoln's death, by being carried over Johnson's veto, still more widely diverged from Lincoln's. There Is a reasonable likelihood, however, that If Lincoln had lived, common ground would have been found upon which he and congress could have stood. His tact, the confidence in which he was held by the people and his influence over his party would probably have prevented the rupture between the executive and legislative branchs of the government which came in Johnson's pres idency, would have bfought reconstruction. earlier, and would have brought it in such a shape that it would have been less dis pleasing to the south than that which was evolved in the contest with Johnson proved itself to be.
 Grant may be said to have been the only president between Lincoln's time and the end of Clevelands administration a year ago who could be classed among the leaders. Grant is not usually placed in this category. He belongs to it, neverthe- less. His veto of the imitation bill of 1874, and his letter to John P. Jones, of Nevada and the influence which that letter and draHt s SuDSequenC WOrk naQ upon the country's financial legislation made him one of the great political forces of the age Other presidents since the war days. Hayes, Harrison and Cleveand-saw the country's financial perils as clearly and endeavored as courageously to avert them but none of those had the sway over his party Grant exerted, or were able to &C., complish so much. Hayes veto of the Bland bill of 1878 was one of the strongest state papers which ever emanated from an occupant of the white house, but 1t was set aside by two-thirds vote of each branch of congress. By his fight in 1893 for the repeal of the purchase clause of the silver law of 1890, and his veto in 1891 of the seigniorage bill, Cleveland did as good work, but his chief reliance in both tasks was on the opposite party.
 Grant, however, in his dealings with the finance question, which were the most im- portant part of the work of his adrninis- tration, had his party with him, and his party, until the work was finished, had a majority in both branches of congress. At first Grant intended to sign the imitation bill. Many of his personal and political friends were supporters of the bill, and they and large element of the country said it's enactment would relieve the busi- ness stagnation which had set in about six months previously Careful study of the situation, however. showed Grant the bill would have increased the country's finan- c1al HIS, instead or renewing them, and he vetoed it. This was on April 22, 1874 Six weeks later he sent a letter to Senator Jones, of Nevada, then a sound money man, in which he forcibly urged a return to the specie basis at the earliest possible day. The letter, which was immediately published created a profound impression throughout the country, and started the movement which pushed through congress the resumption bill that. signed by Grant on January IA, 1875, lifted all the country's currency up to the gold line on January 1, 1879, and has held 1t up to that line ever since CHARLES M. HARVEY.
 Against Brown