Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-03-12

cratic candidate for the Presidency, his
success depended on New Y ork and New
York turned ont, before the campaign
closed, to depend to large extent on the
colored vote. By some means Mr.. CIeve-
land career as Mayor and Governor had
secured the confidence of that class, and
they desired TO see him in a yet wider
field. To the number of several thousand
they voted for him. His majority was
only 200 in the State. When he got to
Washington he found Frederick Douglass
colored Republican occupying the posi-
ton of Recorder of Deeds with $4,000 per
annum. Remembering what the colored
Democrats of New 7 ork had done for the
National Democratic ticket, Mr.. Cleve-
land has just turned Mr.. Douglass cut
and put in his place Mr.. j. G. Mathews,
a colored Democratic lawyer of Elmira.
N. Y, man of high character and pro-
fessional ability. The kilograms say this
appointment has created intense excite
ment among the people Of Washington
city, many of whom expected the So 600
office. President Cleveland we are
sure is are more familiar with the
vote of New York State and the best
way to carry it at the next election, than
the excited people of Washington. The
President is ''practical'' politician of
great shrewdness. Between the intense
excitement in Washington city and vic
tory in New York next year, side with
the latter, and have perfect confidence in
President Cleyelard's knowledge of what
he is about in this regard. If the colored
Democrats of New York are not recog-
niZed, there is no more reason to believe
that they will stick to the party than any
other class or body of men.
OBSER VATIONS OF Il RETIRED
VETERAN.
You have been to the Conference? So
have I, but it was twelve years ago. Still
[ shall never forget scene l witnessed
there. 1t was in tie same Methodist
church that this one is being held in. For
days [ had been interested in plain.
homely. faced minister, considerably past
his half century, who came in evidently
with great pain on clutches. The town
bell striking the hour was not more pune
tuai than the sound of his crntches. His
hands were distorted by rheumatism, his
limos twisted and his face had d patient
look as of one who had suffered for hun
dred years. His face was rough, but
somewhere about its expression there was
a graciousness that attracted my atten-
ton. One other expression in it struck
me; it was the air of a man who had fin
ished his work. Not that he hadn't fire.
quent consultations with the ministers
who approached him. or showed any lack of
interest in what was going on, but just a
look as if be was doing everything for the
last time. Once he got up and made an
1fficial report of some kind to the Bishop.
AS he closed it, his eyes burned with an in.
tense apxiety aud he opened his lips as if
to saysometfIlng, But it was left unsaid,
and as he'painfnlly resumed his seat the
Conferencesappr cached, | saw him several
times with his head bent over the back of
the pew. At last the story came. 1t was
on an evening very near the close. The
rays of the westering March sun shone
through the windows with cold. cheer
less light. His name was called. He
raised his head. His face was flushed.
He struggled to his feet ard With his
crutehes hobbled around the aisle to the
front of the pulpit, where he stood -.
balancing himself on his crutches. And
then the story came out. 1t was told
to those in the SEATS rather than to the
Bishop. He had entered the ministry
young and had hoped to give his whole
life to God. But of late years disease had
oVegtaken him. He had struggled against
it and tried to do his duty through great