Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-06-25
1ntarsA ut the Newport News. Va.
noatoeace % Second claS' matter.
THURSDAY. JUNE -. 1908.

THURSDAY. JUNE %. 1908.
STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND.
Stephen Grover Cleveland. the only
Democrat who has occupied tn" cha,r
of the President Of the United States
since the Civil war. is dead. and with,
his passing away the country no long
err has a living ex-Presidant. The III
cgraphers and the historians have new
eer agreed. and will never agree. as to,
his true place in American history.
many he is pronounced the equal
Inv Of our Presidents. with the ex-
Jon OF Washington. and by others.
put bitterness, he is classed as or,
~. but the great majority OF
lean citizens. regardless Of the
ians and the biographers. and
plitics. will give to Grover
Lnd> usAA among the
em6st Chief Magiyss~s
land. II Is true the fact that Mr..
Cleveland was the only Democratic
President within the memory of the
younger generation added to his pres
tige, and II is also true, probably. that
bis being the only living ex-Presidcnt.
gave an additional lustre to his re-
nown. but at the same time viewed
from q fair standpoint. regardless OF
any unusual conditions which might
have prevailed, Grover Cleveland's
position IN American history is that of
man who believed thoroughly In the
famous sentences which he wrote,
Public Office Is public trust" and
with such q thought for an inspira-
ton. he could hardly help but ne 9th,
err than q President for the people. OF
the people and by the people.
The life Of Grover Cleveland pre-
SCENTS many striking contrasts. As a
struggling lawyer in the city OF But.
falo. he did not even attract passing
attention. He was q good fellow. who
had powerful friends and these friends
wanted to do something for him. He
was nominated and elected sheriff OF
Erie county. one Of the largest In New
York state. During his incumbeHcy
Of his ONCE ne was inst an ordinary
sheriff; no better. no worse than the
other sheriffs who had preceded
him. He was not dishonest nor was
attention attracted TO him by any
spectacular feats which some men in
the same Office might have brought
mon themselves. After he had served
his term rs sheria there was an IN
hcavai N politics in Buffalo. which Is
the greater part o! Erie county. ana
before Cleveland or any Of his most
intimate friends fully and thoroughly
realized what was occurring he was
elected mayor Of the city on a refc I'm
Ticket. " the truth must 10 told.
Cseve'and As mayor was regarded
somewhat duiSously by the reform
element which had nominated and
elected him. but u was NJ this stage
OF his life that Grover Cleveland 10.
gan to show the people of his home
city tina; he was no; the idling attor
ney they knew only as hail fellow
wei met = wond rful TRANSFORMS.
isoh came over the man and no ho,,!
not been mayor OF Buffalo a Srra-
shs'e before he began 10 aftrac: NJ
tcn'isn. and in less than year from
'ne nme he was elected mayor. he
-nes'n to be talked about by Demo
eran Tor the spbernaioriaI nsmina-
fsoa- Up Go this time General Henry
W. ssocum vas the choice Of New
Sork for the nomination for GOVERNOR
ed President the following year
1esa-hus Cleveland defeated slocurl
~ Few voscs. Though M YORK aasl
~ bsd . Denecssfe soysrnor sos
sUnl ysszA h vas . cersais.y thar,
I psuaass1n I'D rear - es.sss-