The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-21
IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY.
4 Solemn and Impressive Scene at the
White House.

a Republic reporter was talking with
Mr.. w. c. Connor, mayor of Dallas,
Texas, and secretary of the Texas dele
CATION to the recent Convention, on
4th street yesterday afternoon, when a
tall, we'll built, fine looking man i'll
clerical black walked out of the Plan
ters' House and turned southwark.
''There's man you ought to know, y
said Mr.. Connor. "He is the Rev. a.
P. Smith, and one of the most promi-
nent clergymen in Texas, and can tell
you very interesting story regarding
& recent experience with the President,
if ne will"
The reporter Immediately approached
Mr.. Smith and said: II understand
that you recently enjoyed a very in
teresting experience with President
Cleveland. Are you willing to relate
it for the benefit of the Republics read
ersH!n
"You are ;ghtly informed, sir. re-
Gently had an experience with the
President that was not only extremely
interesting, but to me 1t was one Of the
most solemn episodes Of my life, and an
occasion never to be forgotten. l have
been for the past three weeks in attend
ance on the Southern Presbyterian as
sembly at Baltimore and the Union
Conference at Philadelphia. On my re-
turn I stopped Oft at Washington and
called on President Cleveland. was re-
ceived with a frank courtesy l can never
forget. Twas immensely surprised at the
intimate knowledge of Texas displayed
by the President. He possesses wider
and more accurate information regard
ing the State thar half of its residents,
and l confess I felt considerably
chagrined when more than once l was
obliged to confess my ignorance in re-
ply to his questions. l also enjoyed
the honor of q presentation TO Mrs.
Cleveland. I have met many charm
ing and beautiful women in my day,
but never one more attractive than she.
l do not think the newspapers have
exaggerated her charms of manner and
person an iota-in fact, do not think
the English language affords term
that can over-paint the virtues and at
fractions of a thoroughly good and
beautiful woman. But am forgetting
what I was to tell you about! AS 1
leaving the White House the President
came graciously forward to shake
hands with me, and while I still
grasped his hand Il messenger entered
in with a telegram, which, with an
apology to me, he presented to the
President. Mr.. Cleveland opened, read
it at glance, and, without the culver
of = muscle in his face, continued his
conversation with me. imagined the
dispatch related to some unimportart
piece Of State business, but, as / was
leaving him, he handed it TO me with
smile and said:
perhaps you will be pleased to be
among the first to know this piece Of
news"
II cannot describe to you my feelings
when read on that little slip of paper
the announcement Of the Presidents
denomination I could not offer stere-
otyped congratulations to man So
grandly calm and so wonderfully sell
possessed, and as 'ooked at his strong,
commanding and impassive features, I
felt the inspiration of the hour and the
mans singular and slendid fate, and I
knew. that he was the creature Of will
even stronger than the will of the peo-
pie, which had called him to the high
place he so maSnifcently fills, and
would maintain him there until his
mission was ended. Lifting my hands
above his head, l blessed him and his
Administration, in the name Of Al
mighty God, and gave him cheer for
the fight to come. He received my
blessing with bowed head and re-
manned an instant in the same posi-
ton then, with a gesture and word,
he thanked me and moved away. 1t
was an impressive moment, and do
not believe there was person in the
room who did not feel solemn con-
viction that he was looking upon the
next President of the United States,
beyond the power Of mere partisan op-
position to make otherwise"
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