The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-03
ROSE ELIZABETH CLEVELAND.
She Proposes to Make Chicago Centerof Cult
nre, Superior to Athens in It's Best Day.

CHICAGO, July 2.-It is expected that Miss
Cleveland will arrive in Chicago within the next
few weeks to enter upon her duties as editor OF
Literary Life. The negotiations which resulted
in her undertaking the work were carried on
principally by letter. In her reply to the first
letter in which the subject is broached, Miss
Cleveland says:
81 quite agree with your idea, and could not
fail to have much enthusiasm in the consecra-
ton of my energies towards its realization.
While, however, my possible embarkation in
sucn an enterprise as the literary management
Of such periodical would necessarily involve
sacrifice OF other plans and interests, with my
ideal of the position you propose to me, could
admit no conflicting or dividing interest to in
terfere with that work. am quite familiar
with your magazine; Literary Life, and consider
it power for culture, not only in the West, but
in the East as we'll. While / am not without a
confidence that might assist the enterprise to-
wards your noble aim, yet can promise nothing
at this writing until matters are discussed from
the realistic side"
subsequent letter is as follows:
"Gentlemen-Your letter has been carefully
considered by While may not be pos
sessed of that energy and enterprise which is
characteristic of the West yet should / go to re-
side there, there is no telling hat a personal
contact with your people may result in. have
always thought very highly of the Western peo-
L
ton. The business of conquering new regions
brings forth and develops the finest elements of
character. In the West man is rejuvenRteG by
-~aaAntact 9Th soil that seams TO throb with
electricity. | should sly ennui is rare disease
among your people. When society takes to its
Eofas and easy chairs the blood poisoning pro
eesseS begin, and the result is ennu desponden-
ey, melancholy, pessinism Chicago seems to
roe to have high destiny as the Western me-
tropolis of art, as it is now the metropolis of
commerce. When Venice, the Queen Of the
Adriatic, grew opulent in commerce, her career
Of glory in art began. and although at
present the salt weed clings to the marble
of her palaces, they are marble still. Why
should not Chicago the Venice of your Western
Adriatic array herself in Tvrian purple and
become renowned as the home of muses. more
vigorous than those Of Greece2 have often
wondered why Chicago and the West did not
support dozen, st least, of highclas month
lies, as every little town in the East has its mag
azine / have heard so much of Chicago, its
architecture its bouleyards, its parks, etc., that
am most anxious to meet its enterprising peo-
pie.
your magazine, must have absolute control of
its literary department, and / mist resign all
other work. for / do not agree with your idea
that could. while editing the same, still pursue
my present plans and studies. Some changes
will require to be made In the contents of the
magazine calculated to make it fulfil its high
aims and to realize the ideal of this great West
ern periodical, with its university scope, which
most admire, and all that shall grow out of it,
The very best, and all, must be given, and l
could reserve nothing of energy in other direc-
tions. Tosbuld any expectations on that ground
would be vain. Having written much, l
await your reply, and if mutually desirable will
be willing to arrange an interview.
II am dear sirs, very cordially yours,
s.RosE ELIZABETH CLEVELAND"