The Washington herald., 1908-06-25
GROVER CLEVELAND.

Grover Cleveland played mighty part
in his country's affairs
His career. more than that of any other
nHn since Lincoln, illustrates the possi-
bilities in American life 1t was more
wonderful even than Grants. because
Grants opportunities came in abnormal
times, whereas Cleveland's career was
carved out during an era OF peace.
Possessing average natural ability in
heriting neither wealth nor talents. set
ting out in life under commonplace au-
spices. and with ambitions not aimed
high, he rose from sheriff OF his coun-
ty to mayor Of his city; from mayor to
governor OF his State and then TO Presi-
dent OF the United States-an in less
than two decades.
He was a capable sheriff an efficient
mayor. a COURAGEOUS. honest governor.
and an able, II not always popular.
President.
Nominated and elected governor. as the
result Of a mere stroke Of political ex-
pediency. he took the executive chair al
Albany with but scant knowledge Of
State affairs. Inexperienced and unac-
quainted. with administrative ability as
YET undeveloped. he was a gubernatorial
experiment. But his ability and wisdom
expanded under responsibility. and he
made an exceptionally fine record as an
executive
As he had limited knowledge Of State
affairs when elected governor. so he had
limited knowledge OF national affairs
when elected President. He was Of the
East, Eastern. An untraveled man. the
vast stretch OF country west Of the
Alleghenies and south Of the Potomac
was to him unknown. But he proved an
apt student Of men and affairs at the
White House. as he did at Albany and
though too independent to retain the sup
port Of his party. he won and held the
confidence OF the thinking masses. Lack
ing the qualities essential 10 n successful
party leader, however, he was continu-
ously at odds with Democrats I'm Con-
gress. and was defeated at the end OF
four years. only to be voted I'm again
four years later. Then he encountered
that memorable panic which. with his
assistance. tore his party asunder. and
sent II into the outer darkness there 70
remain all the years since intervening.
The biographical sketches Of Grover
Cleveland emphasize the predominant
phases Of his character and OF his admin
istrations. As tariff reformer. he labor
al zeGlously. but tactlessly. and with
weE-nigh barren results. He demonstrat-
ed the futility OF a Presidents undertake
ing great things without the sympathetic
cooperation of Congress As a civil
service reformer he accomplished much.
The freedom Of the government service
to-day from the evils and the iniquities
of the spoils system is due. in no small
degree. 10 Grover Cleveland.
Our foreign policies. under his dIrec-
tion. were usually conservative. some
times aggressive. but always truly Amer
ican.
The crowning blunder Of his public
career-an honest one all fair-mindsd
critics Will allow-was in his nl-advised
dealing with the monetary crisis follow
ing the panic Of 1893. involving the bono
issues which became necessary 10 main
tain the nations credit and good name.
Had he but realized that the country
was full Of faith and patriotism. and
ready TO uphold the government in anv
emergency he would have offered the
bonds TO the people, instead Of TO a
coterie Of New York bankers He did
this IN the end. it IS true-and with i'm
mediate success-but II was then too
late 10 check the free silver frenzy Great
ed by the Wall street transactions. and
Grover Cleveland retired an embittered
disappointed. and. in some respects
though undeservedly. a discreditsd man.
But in his retirement he had and held
the universal respect Of his countrymen.
Democrats and Republicans alike. and
was esteemed by all one of Americas 8
greatest citizens. And so he rounded out
his old age beautifully and TRANQUILITY