The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-07
The Spiritual Counsel offered Him and What
He Thinks About 1.-THE Code of Moral
ity Governing His Private Life.
A Girl Who Was Driven from Washing
ton by a LOEe-Smitten Senator.
How Pages Earn Money by Circulating Speech
es-Washington Society Men-An Old
Woman Seeks Assistance in the Capitol.
A SUBJECT FOR CHARACTERIZATION.

A. ~ v O0OAC0 h ~
His Own Code of Morals.
Special to tho indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON. March Ga very large per
cent. of the people throughout the country seem
to be bent on evangelizing President Cleveland"
observed one of the chief executives intimate
friends to-day. But l presume there is moth
ing strange in that" continued he. 'for ] am
told that the Presidents from the foundation of
the government have been more or less advised
by the Christians as TO their spiritual welfare.
Mr.. Cleveland was telling me the other day that
he sometimes thought that there was an impress
sion in the minds of too many good folks that he
presented a rare opportunity for the mission
aries. l asked him why he thought so, and he
laughingly replied:
"'Oh, if the advice given me was concentrated
on Africa, it would civilize and Christianize that
whole wild. and wicked, and dark country I
had to laugh. for there was SO much seriousness
and yet dry humor in it all. MIR. Cleveland real
ICES, as he is reminded so often and so forcibly,
that, in a certain way, he sets an example to the
world; but il worries him a little. I can see, to
be told by hundreds of people. sometimes in one
week, that he ought to let his light so shine,
etc. He believes that these people must think
he is very wicked, or else that he is the spiritual
guardian of fifty millions of people. Speaking
of this point. he said to me:
IA President or King, or other high and ma
tional officer should recognize the supreme power
in every act committed. A man or woman
should never get so exalted as to fail to do this.
Only mention in a public way of this reverence
can a President make. Now. few public men
have as little opportunity to disseminate person
al views as I have. If l were never so anxious
to make people believe | was the embodiment of
goodness. it would be uphill work to create that
impression, for a President cannot cry his wares
from the bousetops. If this advice about being
a Christian, and all that, coming in every form
and from every direction, is for my own guild
ance. very well. If it is to change the general
course of my public career it IS ill-given. One
thing I am bound shall never be laid at my grave
the charge that l was a hypocrite. ! like
Christians. They are the salt of the earth. A
hypocrite, to my mind, is the basest.of sinners"
THE President must be a little annoyed by
these opportunities, is he mott" I asked
Not in the least. On the contrary, he is
grateful for the interest shown in him, if it is
respectfully shown. He doesn't seem to COM
prehend the fact. however, that all Presidents
have had to withstand this ordeal. The letters
he receives are not the only evidence given him
of a desire that he shall be a moral man. You
would be surprised how many Christian people
breathe an audible prayer for him. however,
when they grasp his hand; and it all has a very
perceptible effect upon Mr.. Cleveland, for he
said that he didn't believe any man or woman
with sense and a heart could fail to be affected
by the prayers of an earnest people. when he or
she knew they were so constantly delivered.
".It is something like love in its physical
effect said Mr.. Cleveland one day. Now, if one
is very earnestly and sincerely loved that affec-
ton is sure. il kept up and demonstrated, to
have its way, unless the sutton is absolutely
The mere fact that so much conf
dence and affection is persistently bestowed will
touch a heart of stone. So tho intense interest
shown by so many in a mans spiritual welfare
must eventually touch him. if he thinks. And
the man or woman who cannot be reached by the
prayer of a nation is a being strange indeed"
I'm his private life do you think the President
observes any standard of Cnristianityq
Eyes. he does. In all my intercourse with
him / do not remember to have heard him say
anything improper. He sometimes becomes
very much perrlexed, but he doesn't swear
about it. Mr.. Cleveland believes that honor be
tween man and man is the foundation of
Christianity; that unless one tells the truth and
pays his dues he can lay no claim to morality.
But he is the sternest man / ever saw. You
can't see a muscle move or discover the slightest
agitation il a moment of excitement. That is
one reason why he is such a good poker player.
You could no moro tell whether he is trying to
bluff you with two little pair or whether he had
a full hand, than you could tell how the wind
will blow next week. And what is more, you
never know, unless you take up his cards, what
he has. He just throws them down, rakes in the
pot. and goes along. as If it were a matter of
course. He has a remarkable memory, and if
You don't watch he will know your hand after a
complete deal out. four in the game, you know"
JONES N HIS LOVES.
A Trcer~ E;rl VUr~r yUca Nusro- &c. <yn