The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-25
.RES0LUTE in AIM
He DID HIS DUTY
AND STOOD FIRM.
Dominated BY Strong and
Self-Reliant Integrity He
Did Not Heed Pub
lie Clamor.
Tlnes-plspasch Bureau.
Munsey Building.

Washingto D. c., June "a.
Grover Cleveland divided public SEN
ument moro sharply than any Presi-
dent who has over sat in the White
House. Many OF the men who fought
under the Stars and Bars recognized
that there was much OF good in Abra-
ham Lincoln, but Republicans and
anu-Cleveland Democrats could not
the character OF Grover Cleveland when
he closed his second term as President.
II Is too early by many years to
write a biography OF Dir. Cleveland.
Public sentiment became 80 clearly
focused upon him that years must
clapse and leading actors in scenes
attending his public career must have
passed away before entire Justice can
be done to his memory and character.
Grover Cleveland divides NTH An
drew jackson the distinguished honor
OF having three times received the
greatest number of votes for the Of
flee of President of The United states.
MIR. Cleveland had the unique honor
OF having been three times the candi-
date and twice elected President of
the United States.
Popular md Unpopular.
No party candidate ever created
greater enthusiasm than Mr.. Cleveland
excited when he was nominated to
the presidency in 1884. No President
had made more or bitterer enemies
than he when he retired from Office
finally on the 4th OF March, 1897. His
first term was a success. and there
was little or no opposition to his re-
nomination in 1885, 1t was during
his second term, when hard times
came. when. in the redemption of
party pledges. legislation was under
taken which excited n storm OF oppo-
sitlon within and without his own
party. Much OF the opposition to Mr.
Cleveland has passed In later years.
Many OF those who fought him most
bitterly now realize his Jacksonian
strength OF character. his moral In
trepidity and his stern devotion to
principles, which characteristics ex-
planned that which his enemies had
regarded as self-assertive stubborn-
ness.
Got Most Votes, but Beaten.
Mr.. Cleyeland's position as the first
Democratic President in a long period
gave him opportunity to show to the
world the stuff of which be was made.
he was overwhelmed with applications
for offices, and, necessarily, he made
many enemies In deciding between
seekers after the same places.
duction Of tariff rates. and immcdi-
ately on his accession to the presi-
dency. Mr.. Cleveland attempted to re-
deem the pledge, which had been made
to the people. His first message to
Congress outlined with great clearness
the Democratic position on the sub
]ect Of tariff reduction. and this po-
sition is, theoretically, at least the po-
sition Of every Democrat to-day He
wrote the message In opposition to the
advice of many leading men Of the
party. who had not come to know that
I Grover Cleveland could not be dis
suaded from doing anything which he
was convinced was the right thing.
The campaign of 1883 was fought out
on lines laid down in Mr.. Cleveland,s
tariff message.
The Republicans. adhering to the
policy Of high protective tariff, nomi-
I Cleveland, who was renominated by tho
Democrats. The. campaign was excit-
ing and bitter. Mr.. Harrison was elect
ed, receiving 2S3 electoral votes to 1858
received 5.53s,23s Of the popular vote,
while Mr.. Harrison received only s.,
4i0.216 votes.
But the administration Of President
to the county which the advocates Of
q. protective tariff had predicted Mr..
Harrison was one OF the ablest men
who have ever occupied the presiden-
tial office, but he was utterly lacking
In tact. and suffered from an excess
OF modesty, which prevented his maxi
Ing the impression which would do JUS
tlce to his character and qualities.
President Harrison was renomlnated In
1892, but he was not the~rhoice Of the
rank and file of&thes Republican party.
Tho influence OF the Federal office.
holders procured his nomination Mr..
CleVeland's nomination was opposed by
Il David 3, Hill, who had a large fol-
lowing In the party, hut Mr.. Cleveland
was nominated without the support
OF his own State and despite the op-,
position of q large portion of the par
" leaders,. He received 277 electoral
votes to 145 cast for Mr.. Harrison.
Course Excited Opposition, st
Mr., Cleveland's course during his
second term excited the most violent
y ppposition of a mnpority of his party
The Harrison Administrations the.
national treasury in, n most depleted
condition and the plates for an issue.
OF bonds We're actually ordered, but
were not used upon the insistence OF
the Cabinet who wished to put upon
a4he incoming Democratic administra-
/ ton the enus q 2 bond issue, The