condensed the political attitude of Cleveland into the phrase, “Public office is a public trust", it was truly expressive of the man's thought and performance. From this conception of the meaning of citizenship he never swerved. It explains him all the way. And so interpreted he was, and will remain in history, a strong and useful servant of the republic, ever to be held in honor.

One of the distinctions of James Russell Lowell's life was his early insight into the character of Abraham Lincoln. When others belittled and feared, he was comprehending and standing beside and for the homely and lonely man in the White House, bowed with burdens that must be carried with patience infinite, and which only time's slow abatement could relieve. Lowell had like understanding of Cleveland, and quite from the first, as when he returned from his agreeable post as Minister to England and said to the Democratic President, "I come to you like Saint Denis, with the head you have cut off under my arm", the acme of sportsmanship. When so many good men were hospitable to low detraction of Cleveland, and so misinterpreted him, Mr. Lowell was not misled.

Campaign oratory is often hateful, and even the best intentioned speakers have their lapses in the heat of party advocacy. I remember saying to George D. Robinson, after a speech in Springfield, that if he lived long enough he would come to know the solid worth of the Democratic candidate, and do him justice; as he did when governor speaking at Cambridge on the platform with Mr. Lowell. In his address at

Harvard's 250th anniversary in the winter of 1886 coming in the middle of Mr. Cleveland's first term as president—Mr. Lowell gave measure of the President in these words:

"He has left the helm of state to be with us here, and so long as it is intrusted to his hands we are sure that, should the storm come, he will say with Seneca's pilot, 'O, Neptune, you may save me if you will; you may sink me if you will; but whatever happens, I shall keep my rudder true.'

XXXIV

WHEN CLEVELAND TACKLED THE PRESIDENCY

For the first time in a quarter of a century- 1860 to 1885 the United States was to have a Democratic President and cabinet. Democrats would be entitled to hold Federal offices. Men and women accustomed to the dominance of the Republican party feared the change. Doubt of Democratic capacity to govern was honest and widely diffused. It would not be easy so to direct the transfer of responsibility as to reassure the doubters and satisfy the country. This was very clearly realized by those who had been drawn to Mr. Cleveland's support. There was anxiety among Mugwumps quite as much as among Democrats. The country waited with intense interest upon the formation of the cabinet.

At the end of his second year as governor of New York Mr. Cleveland turned that office over to Lieutenant Governor David B. Hill, and gave attention to the larger responsibility only two months away. He had slight acquaintance with national leaders of his party, time-worn figures most of them. He began to send for the best of them. Much there was to be learned. Patiently, sensibly, Mr. Cleveland settled to his task. Ready to aid him were high-minded Democrats who through Tilden and Cleveland sought to

make the Democracy more worthy of public regard. Those who had labored with one reforming governor to upbuild the Democracy gave their faith to another. There was little self-seeking in that quarter, but sober realization of the opportunity that had arrived. What the hungry rank and file of the Democracy felt and thought was another matter. The new executive came between cross fires in his party. The forwardlooking element was ready to welcome new leadership, but the old-timers must be led along.

Sharp

division between South and North was to be bridged, with war-time radicals of the other side critically watchful and hating still. The South must have its share in governing.

First considered in cabinet making is the secretary of state. Thomas F. Bayard, fine product of generations of gentlemen in the public life of Delaware, had been second in the balloting at Chicago. Precedent and fitness pointed to him, but secure in the Senate and high in its counsels, he would be hard to persuade. After repeated offers Mr. Bayard's consent was obtained, and that was the beginning of an intimacy between the President and secretary that was to progress into lasting respect and affection.

A good deal I learned as the construction of the cabinet proceeded, but most about the choice of the New England member, William C. Endicott of Salem, Supreme Court justice and accomplished gentleman, whose one incursion into the political life of Massachusetts, after retiring from the Bench, had been as a rather perfunctory candidate for governor.

Thus early Francis Lynde Stetson, trusted friend

of Samuel J. Tilden, had gained Cleveland's esteem and confidence. Their friendship deepened with the years. Mr. Stetson might have had high official station had he been willing to turn from close attention to the law. "The trouble with Frank Stetson is," Mr. Cleveland told a delegation of New York men who early suggested recognition, "that he will not permit his friends to do anything for him."

While the cabinet was in hand, Mr. Stetson asked me to write him fully of New England men mentioned, - their history and qualities, and to what extent each was calculated to increase confidence in the new administration. Careful attention was given to the request. The men were put upon the scales and their advantages and disadvantages given due weight. The conclusion was reached that Judge Endicott's appointment would mean most. In order to show that no prejudice had affected the judgment, it was stated that Judge Endicott, because of the unfairness of our state libel law at that time, had rendered a verdict against the Republican involving small but unwelcome damages, in a case where the paper had sought to protect the public interest. That case, it may be added, was appealed and never reappeared.

Back from Mr. Stetson came word that Mr. Cleveland had read my summary of the men with much interest, and asked to retain the letter. It was added that unless I received word to the contrary, Judge Endicott would be a member of the next cabinet.

Not long after that Jarvis M. Dunham, president of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, always a Democrat, a frequent evening caller at the