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This chapter focuses on Webb's experiences as a US consul to the Philippines. On September 29, 1887, Webb was appointed US consul to Manila — then under Spanish colonial control — by President Grover Cleveland (1885-1889), the first Democratic president since Reconstruction. Webb retained the position under the succeeding Republican administration of President Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).

This chapter documents the aftermath of Butler’s defeat for reelection in 1883. Butler’s supporters and a growing group of black independents backed Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. They hoped that Cleveland’s election would inaugurate a national black commitment to political independence and push the national Democratic Party towards a pro-civil rights agenda. Black Bostonians worked with like-minded activists in other states to leverage black political power towards recognition from the Cleveland administration. Despite some success, the limited gains in black rights during the Cleveland administration illuminated the limits of siding with the Democratic Party.

Examines the 1888 and 1892 presidential campaigns that pitted Republican Benjamin Harrison, who favored a protective tariff, against Democrat Grover Cleveland, who wanted to lower taxes on imports. The New York press was predominantly Democratic, which enabled Cleveland to win the 1884 election. The pro-Republican Protective Tariff League sponsored Judge John L. Wheeler’s wildly popular stereopticon lecture The Tariff Illustrated in 1888x, which was hailed as contributing to Harrison’s victory (a brief recession and Tammany Hall’s hostility to Cleveland were additional factors). In 1892 Republicans nominated New York Tribune publisher Whitelaw Reid as vice-president and had six orators who toured the Northeast, delivering illustrated lectures and promoting the protective tariff. Nevertheless, Cleveland proved victorious in the rematch.

This chapter focuses on Grover Cleveland and his admiration of Jackson's “presidential independence and the authority of the righteous executive in contest with mischievous senators.” While in office, Cleveland made it “understood that [his cabinet members] were his loyal lieutenants and were to avoid intramural quarrels or dissent. Cabinet officers were expected to observe the policies established by Cleveland for each executive department.” The conflict between the president and Congress over control of the executive branch and the Tenure of Office Act had been brewing since the Grant administration, and reached its climax during Cleveland's first term. As such, Cleveland quickly asserted the authority to direct all executive officials, in one instance overruling a decision of the secretary of the interior.

This chapter describes how Grover Cleveland was depicted in the media as a Roman emperor due to his vaguely monarchical, if not imperial, conception of the presidency. Being a “latter day Jacksonian,” he wished to be seen as the tribune of the people. Cleveland appreciated that the American public was weary of the personal quarrels and bickering that had characterized American politics since the Civil War and would look with favor upon a candidate and a president who appeared to stand tall and independent—one that personified rugged individualism and political courage. He was a staunch defender of the president's removal power and of the unitary executive, and took office for the second time with the same sentiments still intact.

This chapter describes events in George’s life from 1892 to 1897. These include Mississippi Democrats’ dissatisfaction with Senator George by 1892; his feud with Grover Cleveland; and his inability to finish out his third term due to ill health; and his accomplishments in the Senate.

In the middle 1880s, the town of Oxford grew quickly, established its own school system, and provided more material facilities to improve the quality of life of its citizens. The federal government constructed a big new building to house its post office and the headquarters of its district court for northern Mississippi. The economic outlook was optimistic, and there were clear signs that the South was again joining the Union. In November, 1884, Grover Cleveland was elected president and took office in March, 1885, the first Democrat in the White House since 1861. Cleveland was anxious to signal the reengagement of the South in the nation, and his enthusiasm led his thoughts straight to Oxford, Mississippi. He offered the position of secretary of interior in his cabinet to Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar.

The Hotel Ponce de Leon opened in January 1888 with great fanfare. Smith's Casa Monica opened to a very modest reception. Winter tourists and the hotel employees who served them formed a community of seasonal visitors in town. The hotel was a wonder of art and architecture. Virgilio Tojetti painted the ceilings of the Grand Parlor. Thomas Moran's painting Ponce de Leon in Florida hung in the rotunda. President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland visited. Flagler's daughter Jennie Louise married Fred Benedict, the son of Elias C. Benedict. Noted artists such as Martin Johnson Heade maintained studios in the hotel. Hotel waiters organized the Cuban Giants, the most successful black baseball team of the day. At the conclusion of the season Flagler purchased Smith's Casa Monica Hotel and renamed it the Cordova.

In 1886 and 1888 Blair succeeded in persuading the Senate to support the Education Bill, but it was defeated in the House of Representatives. Increasingly, Blair became convinced that the Catholic Church was responsible for the bill's defeat. Increased racial and sectional tensions in 1890 helped defeat the legislation in the Senate.