The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-19
THREE GREAT MEN.
Cleveland, Reed and Roosevelt and
Their Parts in History.

OF the men who have welded great per-
sonal and executive power in Washington
within a generation three stand out with
conspicuous prominence. They are Grover
Cleveland. Thomas Bracket Reed and
Theodore Roosevelt. Differing in some
qualities of craftsmanship, in some points
of political doctrine and in personal char
acteristics, these men still have many sim
history. All of them have achieved notable
things. All of them have displayed con-
spicuous courage None of them has been
a serviie politician. All of them have
evinced personal and official qualities that
have appealed strongly to the people.
Grover Cleveland's ascendency, which
twice brought the Democratic party into
power, was conspicuously fitting develop
ment of American democracy. He was not
a trained statesman when he was called
upon TO assume the reins of government,
but he was in touch with the spirit of the
time. was intensely loyal to the history and
traditions of his party, and he inspired the
confidence of the masses. He had a broad,
intelligent view of national affairs and he
was distinctly self-reIiant He was dis
credited for a time by his party. That
began when he refused TO yield to the mere
politicians. those who are ever ready to
employ expedients rather than insist on
the course of obvious duty.
Mr.. Cleveland withdrew from the regular
organization of his party when he could not
declarations, and he suffered the conse-
quences that frequently follow the party
man who rises above partisan politics. But
so far his rejection by the masses was
concerned 1t was never spontaneously was
merely formal, traditional and had to do
with the fact that he had removed himself
from the regular" organization. But Mr.
Clevelands position has been fully vindi-
Gated by the progress of events. To-day
he Is stronger in the heart and the con-
hdence of the people than any other Demo-
crat.
Mr.. Reed did more than any other man
who has occupied the speakers chair to
make the House business body. He was
a believer in strong, somewhat arbitrary.
rules, and he was fearless in APPLYING
them. Before his time il was customary
for the House TO excuse ill-advised legisla-
ton on the ground that the body was I'M
wieldy. Mr.. Reed had a theory that the
responsible heads of the party in the House
could at least prevent undesirable legis-
lation, even IL they could not always put
through the bills that should be passed.
He believed that at least the sins of COM
mission could be avoided. be demonstrated
his theory. but he made many enemies by
his methods. He incurred the enmity of
some of his llow-Republicans He was
not a politician. Although his ambition was
known to be the presidency, he never
political effect that he would not be willing
TO do on its own merits. Few men attain
great political distinction by such course.
Reed was essentially a great man. He was
give their help to the furtherance of his
ambition. He was incapable of small
things. He was honest through and through
and he never lost his hold on the people.
President Roosevelt has the courage and
foresight of Cleveland and Reed. but has
had much broader training than either
In dealing practically with the problems
OF the American body polite BY birth an
aristocrat, he is nevertheless the most DEM
ocratic President the country has had since
Lincoln. He differs from most of his prede-
cessors in that he is a student as well as
an executive. His industry is tremendous
He goes into things. he keeps in touch with
details that few Presidents have cared OF
been able to encompass. He is personally
enthusiastic, optimistic. His spirit is mag
netic. He has done more than any other
individual of his time to inspire national
pride and confidence without vainglory
Like Reed and Cleveland. he is not always
in accord with the other leaders of his
party. but he has been singulary fortu-
nate in having already been INDICATED or
nearly every point of issue. His diplomacy
is direct and simple 1t is based on the
principles of common sense and justice
He has been singularly successful, and
whatever misgiving may have been fell
when he was suddenly called to the White
House, he now enjoys the utmost conf
dence OF the people, irrespective of party.