Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-07-01
From the Norfolk Losdn,ark,-Capt. Jas. Bar.
rem Hope, Editor.
President Cleveland.


PEN AND INK SKETCH OF GREAT MAN.
METROPOLITAN HOTEL,
WASHINGTON, D. c., June IS, 1885. !
Editorial Letter.
It is great relief at times to lay aside
the impersonal and ambitious "we' under
which editorial identity is modestly (?) re-
tired, and to adopt the frank simplicity of
the singular pronoun aid to speak in the
first person. 1t gives the writer latitude
which the more formal style fofbids; and,
as have just said, is relief from the ma
.jestic "we.'
In the hope that my readers may agree
with me desire to give them a few i'm
pressions of great men while they are
fresh in my mind and, indeed, feel it to
be sort of duty as my observations do
not accord with some Of my preconceived
notions as to the appearance and manner
of the President.
l came to this beautiful city which, at
this season, reminds me of the great town
of "Carnal Policy" described by Bunyan,
on public business, and this required me
to have an interview with Mr.. Cleveland.
Under the kind auspices of a distinguish
ed friend I assembled the stairway which
leads to the Presidents library, and al
though the hour was an early one, found
him engaged in attention to affairs.
My first emotion was one of surprise, for
I had derived my idea of the President as
to his appearance, from the various pic
lures, good, bad, and Indifferent, which I
had seen of him. But whatever may have
been the artistic merit of the likeness, not
one of them is to be called good, or fair
even, as means of expressing his person
al appearance. I had ample time to
make study Of it, and on the principle
that Ga cat may look at a king" I made
careful survey of the eminent parsonage
before me.
If l had assembled the stairway elbow to
to elbow with Mr.. Cleveland l should have
been compelled to observe him, for he COM
mands attention, and / should have settled
it in my mind that he was soldier of high
rank, used to heavy responsibilities; but,
bearing in mind the pictures, should
never have supposed him to be Mr.. Cleve-
land.
He is immeasurably superior in fact to
anything ever suggested to me by the ar
fists, and as the gentlemen Of the graphic
art have given to the great multitude their
notions Of this high official, feel it sort
of duty to say what my Impressions are,
and to record them while fresh from
bis presence.
AS the President is historical charac-
ter; as my visit was purely a business one;
feel that l have the right to do this; and
I shall set down what l arrived at with
frankness.
was about sixth in turn to speak with
him.
He makes d progress of the library, 60
ing from group to group, and pausing at
each to hear his fellow-citizens.
had ample time to observe him, and |
was at once struck, and wildly impressed
with the difference between the man and
the pictures.
In his figure he is strongly built, and of
that sturdy, upright carriage which at
once suggested to me the idea of soldier,
which i have already recorded grave,
deliberate, self-contained soldier of many
and varied experiences by flood and field.
But there is something else which dawn
ed on me as I studied him.
Under the aspect of the professional look
have described | read what / took to be
it's explanation.
The civilian has strong, masterful, and
well-desciplined nature, sobered down and
refined by arduous public service and ample
experience of men and affairs.
The powerful frame, the deep chest, the
sturdy, upright attitude indicated also ro-
bust health and I dwell on these details
with great satisfaction for tho great re-
former has need of bodily powers beyond
those of ordinary men.
His manner was still more interesting
study.
Grave, self-possessed, deliberate and
modest (but modest with no end of self
reliance), be moved from group to group,
and listened with attention, almost pain
fully intense, to what was said TO him.
But his countenence was the study after
all which l made with the greatest pleas
ure. When my turn came and we stood
face to face | was still more struck with
what I had noticed on first seeing him.
He has not that forid look which expect
ed. He is pale, but it is clearly the pallor
of work and not of any lack of health.
His countenance is strong in its repose,
his eyes kindly, his air patient, his purpose
evidently to do his duty and to do it very
thoroughly at that. Indeed, there was
something almost pathetic to me in the
meditative face into which l looked, and
not desiring any Office for my own benefit
never having held or asked for one in my
life-I feel free to set down my notions
without fear of being considered akin to
the Vicar of Bray. He heard what had
to say, understood me perfectly, threw in
two remarks, and with another good look
into his face, I made my bow, convinced
that he is man who gives others what is
due to them, and knows how Con occasion)
to command it for himself.
But did not leave the library; on the
contrary l remained some time and con-
tinued my study, which l felt authorized
to do in that public place and public occa-
sion.
Many other thoughts, perhaps you might
call them fancies, came into my brain, and
l shall try to sum up soms of these cu7Te71te
c0Iamo for the benefit of my readers.
1t seems to me that the President real
ICES and keeps before his mind that he is
the Chief Magistrate Of the whole country,
and that he does not Lose sight of the idea
thath who serves best the people but serves
best his party.
This, take it, is at the bottom of the
care he gives to details; and he.impressed
me as man bent on doing his duty with
patience, fairness, and assiduity.
Whether he can stand up to so prodigious
a task is more than l can undertake to say.
He looks strong, and is undoubtedly pos
sessed of great mental and bodily power;
but his labors are very great, and I.take it
often most vexatious and harrass.ng.
In action I fancy his kindly aspect and
meditative air give place to very different
expression; but this like so much else in
this letter is a mere matter of inference
from my study of his appearance, manner,
and department.
Having spent considerable time in the
library in this speculative mood, l finally
left the White House with a far more
exalted idea Of the Presidents capacity
than | had previously been possessed of;
and think any thoughtful observer would
set MIR. Cleveland down, take him alto
gether, great man in his qualities; and a
great man of Doric simplicity and digni-
ty of nature.
How far he can succeed in his attempt at
reform in this country dare not attempt
to predict.
Is there public virtue enough in the
sses-public virtue, with an organized
form Of making itself heard and felt-for
him to realize his high and p1aiseworthy
ambition?
Is there any party in the country which
is willing to let go the ''spoils'' system; or