Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/220

172 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS Among the chief magistrates of our country there appear more brilliant names than Fillmore s, yet none who more wisely led on the nation to progress and prosperity, making her name great and preserving peace in most perilous times, with out invoking the power of the sword, or one who could more truthfully say, "These hands are clean." Without being a genius like Webster or Hamilton, he was a safe and sagacious statesman. He pos sessed a mind so nicely adjusted and well balanced that he was fitted for the fulfilment of any duty which he was called to perform. He was always ready to give up everything but conviction when once convinced. A single public act honestly and unflinchingly performed cost him his popularity. Posterity, looking from a distance, will perhaps be and before he became president was the younger Fillmore s most inti mate friend: 816 Madison Avenue [New York], February 3, 1891. MY DEAR SIR: Powers Fillmore was a man of the kindliest im pulses and disposition, but very odd in many ways. I do not know of anybody with whom he was at all confidential regarding personal or family affairs. It was plain to see that he loved his father and fondly cherished his memory though even that could not be gathered from any frequent communication he indulged in concerning him. But he was exceedingly shy, and, above all things, seemed to desire to avoid notice or publicity. You may not see that anything I have written accounts for his conduct in relation to his father s papers, but, knowing him as I did, I can imagine a connection. And still I am bound to say that he has acted strangely in the matter. Yours truly, GROVER CLEVELAND, Gen. Jas. Grant Wilson.