Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-23
MRS. CLRvELAND'S ABSENCE.
what Tho Papers say Ab0ut Her
Change OF Programme.

The Washington Post says: "Why did
not Mrs. Cleveland 90 TO Richmond"
The question was discussed by everybody
Yesterday. Al the White House last night
The reason given by Colonel Lamont was
that "Mrs. Cleveland simply decided not
TO CO." Sensationalists, who always know
far deeper reasons than common, duh pep
pc, saw at once that she stayed ut home
because the President, or rather Colonel
Lamont, thought that her visit to Rich
mond would mean the rum Of the Demo
cratic party. At Governor Lees house she
would have met Miss Winnie Davis, the
young daughter Of Jefferson Davis, who i
guest there; and for the wife OF Demo-
cratic President Of the United States 10
stand side by side with the daughter OF the
eX.Presldent Of the Confederacy would
have caused the downfall Of the Democratic
party. Even some southern gentlemen in
Office IN Washington remarked: "Well,
Mrs. Lee might have arranged TO have Miss
Davis absent at such time" But the bet
ter informed took different view OF ii.
The idea OF Miss Winnie Davis being
factor in politics was laughed at, and the
idea that the President would advise Mrs.
Cleveland TO absent herself for any such
reason was spurned. Such action from such
q motive would have been regarded as snob.
berry beneath contempt. "Mrs. Cleveland
is q lady," said one gentleman who fairly
expressed the general opinion, "who has
never been accused OF any such meannes,
| The President Is man OF backbone, He
| has taken ex-Confederatcs into his Cabinet
| and appointed them 10 other HIGH posihons
| OF trust and honor; he would not have
| sbrunk from meeting JET Davis himself
and grasping him 10y the hand, and, II there
is no political offence in the Presidents
own presence at Richmond, what political
offence could there have been In his wiie's
going along with him." The talk about
Mis-. Cleveland being constrained to snub
Governor Lees party for political reasons
was generally regarded by sensible people
as unworthy Of notice.
ACCEPTED.
The New York 7imeS's Richmond spc-
cial says: On his way home tonight he
lthe Presidentl expressed his sincere salts.
faction at having had an opportunity b see
something Of State il had never been his
good fortune 10 visit before, his applecia.
ton Of the cordial hospitality OF all the
people he met, and bis regret that dlsaD.
pointmont was unayoidably caused by Mrs
Cleyeland's inability 10 accompany the
Uuil}s i W ittrpu lpi tUt uttt>lOu OF lDf
ladies 10 remain In Washington was that
the start had 10 be made at an extremely
early hour. and the travel and excitement
promised TO be very fatiguing, as they
were, even for men accustomed 10 long
journeys.
While keen disappointment was ex-
pressed by every body in Richmond because |
Of Mrs. 0eseland's failure to visit the city, |
not one word Of unkind criticism was |
beard about the change Of programme last |
nigLt. The statement made that the Presi-
lent had decided ioreturn at 5o'clock, and
bat the line would be so short ~ 10 I'm.
pose too much fatigue upon ladies with liz.
lie opportunity for pleasure, was accepted
u true aud reasonable explanation. Not
me person believed that the change OF pro-
'iamme was 10 lie attributed TO disincli.
'ation Of Mrs. Cleveland 70 visit Governor