The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-17
CLEVELAND BLESSED,
Rev. A. P. Smith of Dallas. Tex, the
Center of a Scene at the White
House
From the st. louis Republic.

House.
From the ST. louis Republic.
A reporter was talking with w. c. Con-
nor, Mayor of Dallas, Tex, and secretary of
the Texas delegation to the recent conven-
ton, on Fourth street yesterday afternoon,
when tall, well built, fine looking man
in clerical black, walked out of the Planters
house and turned southwark.
There's a man you ought to know
said Mr. Conner. HE is Rev. A. P. Smith
and one of the most prominent clergymen
In Texas, and can tell you very interest
ing story regarding a recent experience
with the President, II he will"
The reporter immediately approached
Mr.. Smith and said: 81 understand that
you recently enjoyed very interesting ex-
perience with President Cleveland. Are
you willing to relate its"
You are rightly informed, sir. l re-
Gently had an experience with the PresI-
dent that was not only extremely interest
ing, but to me it was one of the most sol
emn episodes of my life, and an occasion
never to be forgotten. l have been for the
past three weeks in attendance in the
Southern Presbyterian conference at Balti-
more and the Union conference at Phila-
delphia. On my return stopped off at Wash
ington and called on President Cleveland.
l was received with frank courtesy can
never forget. | was immensely surprised
at the intimate knowledge of Texas dis
played by the President. He possesses
wider and more accurate information re-
garding the state than half of its residents.
and | confess felt considerably chagrined
when more than once was obliged to con-
feSS my ignorance in reply to his questions.
l also enjoyed the honor of presentation
to Mrs. Cleveland. | have met many
charming and beautiful women in my day,
but never one more attractive than she.
do not think the newspapers have exagger-
ated her charms of manner and person an
iota-in fact / do not think the English
language affords a term that can over
paint the virtues and attractions of thor
oughly good and beautiful woman. But
am forgetting what was to tell you about
AS | was leaving the white house tho Presi-
dent came graclously forward to shake
hands with me, and while | still graspsd his
hand messenger entered with a tele-
gram, which, with an apology to me, he
pres ented to the President. Mr.. Cleve-
land opened, read it at glance, and, with
out the culver of muscle in his face, con
tinued his conversation with me. / imag
ined the dispatch related to some unimpor-
tant piece of state business, but as | was
leaving him, he handed it to me with a
smile and said:
perhaps you will be pleased to be among
the first to know this piece of newsp
81 cannot describe to you my feelings
when read on that little slip of paper the
announcement of the Presidents renomiua-
toni Icould not offer stereotyped congrat-
ulstions to a man so grandly calm and so
wonderfully self-possessed, and as | looked
at his strong, commanding and impassive
features, | felt the inspiration of tie hour
and the mans singular and splendid fate,
| and l 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 magnificently fills, and would main
tain him there until his mission was ended
Lifting my hands alb We his head, l blessed
him and his administration, in the name of
Almighty God and gave him cheer for the
fight to come. He received my blessing
with bowed head and remained an instant
in the same position; then, with gesture
and a word, ne thanked me and moved
away. 1t was an impressive moment, and
do not believe there was person in the
room who did not feel a solemn conviction
that he was looking upon the next Presi-
dent of the United States, beyond the
power of mere partisan opposition to make
otherwise"
Mr. Smith is handsome man of impos-
ing appearance, about so years of age,
though extremely we'll preserved, with
bright, kindly blue eyes, prominent
features and corn-colored 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.