St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-17
CLEVELAND BLESSED.
How the President Received tn
News of His Nomination..

hoW tu0 1FCSlOCuC hcCtIFcu inc
News of His Nomination.
Interview with Rev. A. P. Smith, of Texas,
in st. Louis Republic.
81 recently had an experience with
the president that was not only ex-
tremely interesting, but to me it was
one of the most solemn episodes of my
life, and an occasion never to gobe fort
ten. have been for the past three
weeks in attendance on the Southern
Presbyterian conference at Baltimore
and the Union conference at
Philadelphia. On my return
stopped off at Washington and
called on President Cleveland.
L was received with frank courtesy
can never forget. was immensely sur
prised at the intimate knowledge Of
Texas displayed by the president. He
possesses wider and more accurate in
formation regarding the state than half
its residents, and l confess felt consid-
erably chagrined when more than once
was obliged to confess my ignorance in
joyed the honor of presenta-
ton to Mrs. Cleveland. l have met
many charming and beautiful women
in my day, but never one more
attractive than she. do not think the
newspapers have exaggerated her
charms of manner and person an iota-
in fact, l do not think the English Ian
guage affords term that can Overpaint
the virtues and attractions of thor
oughly good and beautiful woman. But
am forgetting what was to tell you
about! As 1 was leaving the White
house the president came graciodsly
forward to shake hands with me, and
while still grasped his hand a mes
senger entered with telegram,
which, with an apology to me, he pre-
sented to the president. Mr.. Cleveland
opened, read it at glance, and. with
out the quiver of muscle in his face,
continued his conversation with me.
imagined the dispatch related to some
unimportant 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 re-
nomination! | could not offer stereo-
typed congratulations to a man so
grandly calm and so wonderfully self
possessed, and as looked at his strong,
commanding and impassiye features,
l felt the inspiration of the hour and
the mans singular and splendid
fate, and l knew that he was the
creature of a will even stronger than
the will of the people, which had called
him to the high place he so magnif-
Gently fills, AID would maintain him
there until his mission was ended. Lift
ing my hands above his head, blessed
him and his administration, in the name
of Almighty God, and gave him cheer
for the fight to come. He re-
ceived my blessing with bowed head
and remained an instant in the same
position; then, with gesture and
word, he thanked me and moved away.
1t was all impressive moment, and / do
not believe there was person in the
room who did not feel solemn convic-
ton thathe was not looking upon the
next president of the United States, be-
yOnd the power of mere partisan oppo-
Sition to make otherwise.'
Mr.. Smith is handsome man of i'm
posing appearance, apparently about
fifty years of age, though extremely
we'll preserved, with bright, kindly blue
eyes, prominent features, and corn
c0Iored beard, worn in the Conkling
style. He is one of the foremost divines
of the country and took an important
part in the proceedings of the recent
PRESBYTERIAN conference.