Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-07-16
ticle Rep.)

National judgment of Mr.. C%levelanh's
career is convincing testimony to the
supreme value of character. Creative
genius in the field Of craftsmanship no
one has claimed for him. He had not
the broad, philosophic mind Of Burke,
nor the eloquence and fiery energy Of
Gladstone. He was a. simple, sincere,
rugged nature; the soul Of honesty, truth.
f%ulncss, and fidelity. In the history of
the country no man has exhibited more
conspicuously the temper which we call
patriotic: the union Of devotion to the
interests of the Nation with the power
of shutting out every influence and
motive except those that spring from an
ardent love Of country. In such a
career, failures and mistakes at particu-
lar points seem at the end mere Incl
dents, the natural limitations of great
strength. 30 President, save Washing.
ton, Lincoln, and Mr.. Roosevelt, has
been more hated or misrepresented,
not 50 much by his opponents As by his
own party. No President has ever Ell.
tered into his rest more generally hon
or6d, or with a more generous r~ecopni.
ton of the great qualities of his charac.
ter. Time was an essential element IN
this noble reputation. For years past,
to those who knew him, MIR. Cleveland
has seemed like a great, rugged rock,
frm.bascl and inmovablc; a Gibraltar Of
steadfast integrity and loyalty. This i'm.
preston of massive honesty and courage
has become more and more distinct as
the clouds of misunderstanding and
hatred have dissolved into thin air, and
the s,eaifast integrity Of the man has
defined itself more and more clearly.
With the entrance Of Mr.. Cleveland
into public life there came "A breath of
new purpose and fresh hope. He was
the first OF those interesting public men
who have redeemed the National life
during the past two decades from s~terility
and,mono,ony, With President Roose-
welt, Mr.. Cleveland stood for a move.
n,ent of ideas, for freedom of thought,
and independence Of action. The two
men came to the front i'll the face of the
political machines and bosses; they have
been opposed at every stage by the cica.
tors and creatures Of mechanical politics:
the bosses who have made 'tlic system
which has blended politics and business
in a tragic co-partncrship, and the auto
nations whom they have moved at their
will. An active, independent, and ener.
getic Mayor, Mr.. Cleveland became a
hard working, fearless, and independent
Governor, and in due time, by the pravi-
tatiOn Of he forces oi righteousness and
vitality which he represented, was car.
RED t" the greatest position in the
country. What he had been AS Mayor
and Governor he was also As President,
HIS political integrity was not only be.
You'd rcproacll, but above suspicion; his
most mcrciIcss opponent would have
smiled AT the suggestion Of any dishonor
or dishonesty III him. There was moth
my which he did no, dare To- do; there
Vas IL" toll which he spared himself.
He wa never an easy worker; for he
was moi "A taclle nature. What he did,
he did with all his NIGH, and with a
great output OF energy. His hours were
long, his vigilance unccasing lie stood
Ike a soldier at his post. with no thought
but the performance Of his duty, and
with very little hope Of reward, cxccp,
tina, which came from his own con.
science.