The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-29

voted to her not only as his wife, but as his Of
fetal partner. She bore the cares of state in the
drawing room, while he carried them in his Cab
met
Mr. Cleveland has been weighted from the first
by his lack of acquaintance with society here.
and he has made his administration unpopular
socially by his ostracism OF womans influence in
the White House He had good opportunity
to redeem himself at the end tf the season,
when he knew that Miss Cleveland was really
saying adieu finally to Washington society, by
showing her some mark of respect, but he did
not do it. She has never been Identified with
him to any greater extent than he was compelled
to have her, and he has day after day gone rid
ing with Colonel Lamont when sha was left to
her own society.
President Arthur became popular chief ex
ecutive mainly through his bonhommie and
courtesy, his Difference to society and real en-
joyment of It. His sister was his first care and
to see them together walking or driving with
their daughters. was q pleasing aud common
sight. They went everywhere together, and
when they gave dinner or a luncheon.
or entertained informally in the evening
at home, they were charming
couple. Both tried, unselfshly. to make
every one enjoy themselves, and in their utter
forgetfulness of self set an example that was al
ways contagious. Comparisons are not pleas
ant, but it is impossible to resist making them
occasionally. President Cleveland was, as has
been said. a stranger TO Washington life, and, it
may be added, has remained SO. He never will
be society man. his self-consciousness being
not only ingrained into his very nature, but ex-
aggerated doubtless by his wrong ideas Of his
personal Independence He is morbidly sensi
tive. and his horizon is a narrow one in some
directions
Miss Cleveland Is equally as sensitive, but
has a more xpansive nature and all the moral
enthusiasm which strong, progressive women
feel She chafes nnder restraints because she is
actuated by principle and not prejudice, and she
and her brother are trial to each other because
Of their similarity of temperament She is an
intellectual woman, an enthusiastic admirer OF
great reforms. and Of the stuff that heroines are
made of. She is, therefore not a success as
hostess of the White House.
Mr.. Cleveland has been accused of not being
generous enough to tolerate at his side woman
who has the ability to make for herself public
reputation apart from his, and in higher walk.
for the world will believe that literature should
be ranked higher than politics. even as politics is
pursued in this country. He was wiling, it was
said, that she should shine only through his re-
fected greatness; and when she showed signs of
becoming separate star in the armament he
quickly decided that the armament could hold
but one Cleveland luminary, and that was him
SELF
Miss Cleveland has met all duties with quiet
dignity that has increased her popularity here,
and she goes out Of the White House a far
greater favorite than she entered It. Her work
for her brother has not been duly estimated by
him. She has been of incalculable assistance to
him in properly supplementing him in the draw
ing room, and her brightness and cleverness
have interested circles which otherwise would
have taken no social part whatever in the Cleve-
land administration. The position In which she
is left by the marriage of her brother to his
young ward. is robbed OF its possibly disappoint-
ing features by reason of her natural distate for
official life and for the prospect before her of her
gaining position in the literary field. to which
she is row committed and will devote herself.
The President dismisses her without reception
in her honor. without the slightest public mani
festation of his appreciation, and this, he no
doubt, conscentiously considers the proper thing.
For some time Miss Cleveland has been in re-
trement She went away two months ago,
while Congress was Ia session, and she has not
returned. 1t is not usual for the hostess of the
White House to be away whilo Congress is sit
ting. Unless she is III, such absence from the
White House is most ill-tmed. Had she been
herethe newspaper notoriety given the approach
ing nuptials would have been robbed OF some of
its unpleasant or laughable features. The Pres
ident has to thank himself and no one else for
the consequences.
Miss Cleveland remains away, and doubtless
will be seen in Washington no more. The un-
pleasant publicity given to her brothers marriage
is painful to her, no doubt. she being the first
cause of the Presidents determination to take a
wife. She has been slightingly spoken of In
some instances. and unkindly criticised, but not
by Washington people; they are thoroughly sorry
to part with her.
The President gets bride, but he loses
steadfast helper, one who may be harshly
judged by those who think she had no right to
become author while holding the place she
did, but no one questions her single-minded de-
sire to do her best in the hardest of places She
was too little versed In diplomacy to be double
faced and her integrity of character is respected
The course the President adopts in snubbing the
public by trying to get married in back-door
fashion, is proof positive that no injustice has
been done him by those who accuse him of social
II I1a l/o NO v.io hoct h,,<
there is not woman in this country who does
not see his lack of tender consideration for the
young girl who is to marry him. He may persist,
Also in marrying secretly, but not all the books
that his sister could publish all the lectures
she NAV deliver could hurt the President of the
United States more than does his present atti
tude toward the two women who stand nearest
to him-his sister and his future wife. Certainly
no man ever more greatly needed the influence
of wife; and when he has one he will realize
that the horizon of bachelor is poor, cob
webbed outlook after all.
That the President and his bride may be hap
by is the sincere wish of even the typical croak-
ers, who gravely shake their heads and mutter
the ancient couplet which predicts i'll for May
and December unions. When reminded that
mere years do not make all the difference i'm
piled by the poet, they suggest by their manner
the conclusion that Mr.. Cleveland is bride.
groom so wholly set in his ideas regarding wom-
ans suborddate place in mans world that he
would be December to a woman of even mature
years had she enthusiasm. ideals, aspirations for
her sex such as his sister entertans, and which
he wholly objects to on principle. President
Tyler married young girl and took her to the
White House. and she was happy there but Ty
Ter was a wdower and the father Of many
DAUGHTERS. and he knew womans position and
kept society on his side. He also wished to be
renominated as we'll as remarked. and he was
ready to sacrifice his personal wishes every time
where the public was concerned.
The Trial of Brooks.
ST. LOUIS May 28-The proceedings in the