The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-03

curing the nomination for Governor
of his own State and despised the
drudgery of his present work. the pale,
slim young aSSiS' ant SecretaIy-cour-
teous, affable, attentive, patient, oblig-
MICHIGAN to win friends in every df-
rectiCn by his attention to details and
the amenities of life. 1t was soon
known that the only sure means of ac-
cess to President Mckinley was Mr..
Gortelyou. He was sought by young
and old, great and small. Nothing was
too trifiing for him. And when he
turned a visitor away he did it kindly.
He had a confidential, deferential
manner that invited the truth. He
never frowned or raised his voice. He
was never in a hurry. He never for
got a mans names or business He held
the secrets of the poor and wretched
as sacredly as those of the rich and
powerful
Only those who visited the White
House during the Spanish war can
realize what Mr.. Cortelyous tact and
good nature meant to the tired Pres-
dent end the anxious crowds trooping
at his door. Slender, white faced. with
dark, earnest eyes, smoothly brushed
pompadour hair, faultlessly dressed,
cool, quiet, pleasant and lo!ite-his
modest ministrations were continued
from early morning till the White
House lights went out at night
Il don't know what 7 should do
without Cortelyou," said Mr.. Mckin-
Icy. He is my pillow
When the President fell in spray
Of blood at Buffalo it was Mr. Cortel-
you's patient attention to details, his
GOODNESS and tact that produced order
at the heart Of that supreme national
tragedy, Even at the last hour, when
the President had sighed out his last
prayer and the Milburn house was
scene of hysteria, with an struck
multitude pressing against the ropes
in the street and the great men of
the Administration were paralyzed by
the horror of the situation, the weary
secretary moved about calmly, COM
forting the widow, ordering the house
hold, comforting with the Cabinet Of
f1cers, giving information to the hun
dreds of newspaper correspondents.
When President Roosevelt came
romping into the " hite House, full OF
lusty indifference TO the prejudices and
nerves of Washington, the secretary
had smoothed the way of the most
sGave President in American history
supplied the environment of his loud
voiced and imDetuous successor with
an atmosphere of courtesy He soften
ed the rough word and contemptuouS
shoulder shrug, explained the harsh
criticism and made everybody feel
that under the Presidents rugged ex-
terror beat sympathetic heart.
Not that Mr.. CorteIyou is without
strong parts. It is we'll known that
he was constantly consulted by the
two Presidents in matters of grave
Importance. But had it not been for
his attention to the despised art of
being agreeable, he might never have
had the ear of Mr.. Mckinley or Mr..
Roosevelt, and have remained moor
clerk instead of rising to a. Cabinet
officer ami rit1lar head of the RepI1b-
lican party.
Great talents, such as honor. yir-
the, lecrni and parts" rotc Lord
Chesterfield to his son, "are above tbe
generality Of the VI rii. who neither
possess them themselves, nor nudge of
them rightly in others: but ali neopIa
are judges OF the lower talents. such
as civility, affahility and an oblie-ine
agreeable address ard manner he
cause they feel the good effects of
them
After all. It is not such IN jnsu,tine
thing TO be Gated the oiI-can az :
great government.