The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-19
SENATOR ROOT
PAYS CLEVELAND
GLOWING TRIBUTE.
Principal Speaker at Night Ex-
ercises Held in New
York City.
MAYOR MCCLELLAN
ACTS AS CHAIRMAN
Governor Hughes Arrives Late,
but Is Given an
Ovation.


Mcclellan presiding and President Taft
on the platform, the second celebration
of Grover Cleveland's anniversary was
held last night in the great hall of the
City College. The hall was filled to
overlooking, and hundreds were turned
away.
The audience sprang to its feet and
cheered when the President was rec
fognized. He sat OF the right of the
mayor, with Senator Root at his right.
Others on the platform were Francis
Lynde Stetson, chairman of the Clever
land memorial committees; william 3.
Hornblower. Judge Gaynor, President
Daniel J. Quinn, of Fordham Univer-
sity; Richard Watson Glider. st. Clair
McKelway, who were among Mr.. Cleve-
lands personal friends; Henry w. Taft
and John d. Crimmins.
Governor Hughes, the last speaker on
the program, did not arrive until a mo-
ment after the exercises had been con-
cluded. but the hundred or more who
had left the hall hurried back at the
sound of the greeting given to the
governor.
Mayor Mcclellan, in taking the chair,
said In part;
Cleveland was neither 6. demigod
nor a demagogue, but a rugged, honest,
broad minded, wise American citizen.
There was nothing sensational or the
~atrical about him. He did not appeal
to his countrymen in their moments of
excitement or thoughtlessness. He did
not play upon their passions or their
~prejudices, but Influenced and guided
them through their sober judgment and
their calm common sense.
Long after those of us who are here
tonight have passed away the name of
Grover Cleveland will live and still
be honored and cherished in the hearts
of the American people as that of a
man who could not think an ignoble
thought or do a mean action
Roofs Tribute.
Senator Root, who was presented by
the mayor as the first speaker. said it
was a public duty to pay tribute to
such a man as Mr.. Cleveland, because
he was the nations friend and because
of the inestimable service he had rem
dered his country.
"All the world honors genius, leader
ship in war and great deeds DONE he
said. but the best evidence OF a ma
tons greatness is to be found in the
genuine, heartfelt appreciation of d
splendid character. 1t was not SO much
what Washington and Lincoln did, but
against the background the men them
selves. The powerful influence of a
high and nobl character was Grover
Cleveland's most valuable heritage to
his country"
Senator Root said it was impossible
not to admire the courage of the man.
He was not swayed by personal ambi-
ton or by s~elfishness. He thought al
ways of his work and not of himself.
He had no desire for riches. He was
kindly and sincere, a good husband.
a true friend and a kind n~eighbor. To
honor Mr.. Cleveland, said the speaker,
was to be lifted up to remember him
was to be patriotic.
Judge Gray's Address.
Judge Gray's address was an analy-
sis of Mr.. Cleveland's character and a
tribute to those qualities of the man
which lifted him above his fellows.
When there were grave crises in public
affairs in the course of his administra-
ton requiring high craftsmanship, pa
triotism and decision of character, Mr..
Cleveland met them as a statesman
and patriot, Judge Gray said.
This address concluded the program
except for the governor, who had not
then arrived. After a brief conference
between the mayo and Mr.. Stetson it
was decided to let the orchestra play
the "~Dankgebet," the last musical num-
Der on the program, expecting that the
governor would arrive before the music
was over. But they were mistaken,
and before the mayor had decided on
what course to suggest the audience be-
gan to call for President Taft. There
was another hasty conference between
the mayor and Mr.. Stetson, and then
the mayor announced that by direction
of the committee he declared the ex-
~ercises over.