Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1908-12-09
GROVER CLEVELAND,
man OF FIDELITY
TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF
THE LATE Ex-PREsIDENT BY
FORMER ASSOCIATE.
HokE SMITH WRITES EARN
EsTLY OF GREAT MAN WHO
LOVED HIS COUNTRY.

Ing OF the association of life insur-
ance presidents in this city in mem
DRY of the late President Grover
Cleveland letter by Governor Hoke
Smith of Georgia was read.
Mr.. Smith was member of Presi-
dent Cleveland's cabinet as secretary
of the interior and became intimate
with his chief, SO intimate that he is
qualified to speak with authority of
that great man. His letter is as fol-
lows:
While regretting inability to be
present at the memorial services by
the association of life insurance
presidents in honor of president
Cleveland, l esteem it a privilege to
contribute a few words of tribute to
his memory.
Il never met Mr.. Cleveland but
twice before entering his second cabi
net. Then for three and one-half
years / was thrown with him con-
stantly. While Mr.. Cleveland was
naturally conservative and reticent to
the members of his cabinet he was
most free in the expression of views
and the discussion of policies. and his
relations with them were extremely
cordial. He was not only admired
by them, but l am sure each member
had cordial affection for him.
''Mr. Cleveland was a man of great
industry although not naturally fond
of work. His sense of duty caused
him to labor continuously upon any
problem connected with his official
responsibility until he had exhausted
all means to find the truth. While
going through the process of investi-
cation of any subject he was a ready
listener, and glad to receive informal
ton and suggestions. After having
completed the work of investigation
and having reached a conclusion, he
adhered immovably to that conclu-
sion.
Il have heard him say that he ex-
hausted his capacity to find what
was right before he reached a con-
clusion and then nothing was left to
him but to adhere to the conclusion
formed.
His great characteristic was f.
deity to his conception of duty, but
this characteristic was so marked
that from it followed tireless indus
try and unyielding courage. He was
a man of unusual wisdom, and his
intuition was most acute. His opin-
ions of men were almost unerring.
HE was suspicious of politicians,
and could not tolerate machine meth
DDS. but he had an abiding faith in
the people, and was devoted to the
try. He really loved his country, not
as a matter of personal ambition, but
as a thing apart from his own inter-
ests.
"Ae detested graft even in it's
mildest form, and intensely believed
the doctrine that public Office should
be treated as public trust not to be
used for private gain.
"In all matters of official conduct
Mr.. Cleveland lived up to- his high
ideals, never abandoning them for al
temporary success.
"In his home life the big, and to
the world sometimes rough, man was
gentle and loving as little child,
and the tender spirit, usually covered
behind the determined will, was al
ways present.
In God and the future his faith
knew no doubt 1t rested upon the
convictions of his youth, unchanged
by manhood or old age.
"This briefly is Mr. Cleveland as II
saw and knew him.
HE will live in the history of his
country, growing greater as the years
pass by, for the need of a Cleveland
will be felt more and more as to 9TH
ers he is compared
Paul Morton Pays Tribute.
Paul Morton, former secretary Of
navy, now president of the Equitable
Life Assurance society spoke earnest
ly of Mr.. Cleveland:
Grover Cleveland was a most con-
scientiOus man. He never for one
moment hesitated as to what was
right and what was wrong. His cour-
age in doing right was no less than
his courage in denouncing wrong. Mr..
Cleveland was a patriot-not a parti-
san His love of country was greater
than his love of party. He frequently
did things which lie knew would bene-
fit the nation, and which he knew
would not meet the approval of his
party If his own conscience told him
a thing was right he acted and took
the consequences. He never did things
because they were expedient His
creed was that honesty was the best
expediency in the long run. He never
did things for temporary effect. He
always had his eye on what was the
best thing to do in the long run. and
when once that conclusion was
reached he followed his conviction.
Herbert Knew Him Well.
Hilary A. Herbert. who was secre-
tary of the navy in Mr.. Cleveland's