The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-05-01
lis
Dwelling Together in Unity.
CLEVELAND ON DANA.

A dispatch from New York, dated the
18th, gives the following interview with
ex-President Cleveland, in which he
luridly expresses his opinion of Charles
A. Dana, editor of the New York Sst7a !:
Ex-President Grover Cleveland has made
reply to the sensational article published by the
sun to the effect that ex-President Cleveland
was undergoing special treatment invented
by DR.. Schweninger of Germany for reducing
flesh. 1t was asserted that Mr. Cleveland was
gaining in weight at the rate Of twenty-five
pounds month, and that both he and his
friends were seriously alarmed at his condi-
ton.
When seen at his office the ex-Presdent's APP
pearance certainly did not bear out the state
ment that he is rapidly increasing in weight.
Ii anything he weighs less now than when he
left the White House and his face has a very
healthy color.
Il have not" said Mr.. Cleveland, "seen the ar
ticle you refer to, and if it appears nowhere
else but in the Sun, there is not the least chance
OF my seeing it. Of course, the entire thing is
lie, without the slightest pretext to excuse it.
judge from what you say that the venerable
editor of the Sun supposes that he has at last
hit upon subject which can be used to annoy
me. In this he is mistaken He must be his
own judge Of social decencies and proprieties
am not sure that he should at his time of life
and in his apparently peculiar mental condition
be m0lested in his amusement
Continuing Mr.. Cleveland said that he had
endeavored since coming to the city to reside,
to mind his own business. If he should accept
all the invitations for social enjoyment he would
have to abandon his law practice, and he had
decided not to accept any. Mr.. Cleveland said
he had been treated with great deal of kind
ness and consideration by the people Of the city
and he appreciated it thoroughly.
II do not care" Mr.. Cleveland added chow
much am criticised for my public acts. That
is perfectly legitimate, and recognize the right
of every man to differ on public questions
There is a line, however, it seems to me, where
criticism and abuse should stop. The man who
invades the privacy of a family and INDUCES in
coarse and wanton attacks on private citizens
is no better than a highwayman. He places
himself on tho level Of the blackguard, and his
vulgarities can have no weight with decent peo-
ple.''
Regarding the frequent personal attacks upon
himself in the columns of the Sun, Mr.. Cleve-
land said that while he never saw them, every
time one appeared, dozen cranks more or
less, would write to him about it,
Whenever I receive those cranks' letters"
said Mr.. Cleveland, Il know that the senile old
liar and thief, Dana has been at it again. That
is the only way keep track of his mental raw
ings. The object, suppose, is to annoy me and
my friends
There is only one thing" Mr.. Cleveland re-
sumed, and tender expression lit up his face,
that 1 care anything about in these attacks,
they are not confined to myself. 1t seems that
the senile old Dana does not conf1ne his warfare
to men; woman are not free from his dastardly
assaults. Mrs. Cleveland has not escaped. 1t is
bad enough for Dana to print his lying state
ments regarding myself. but it is Infinitely more
cowardly and dastardly for him to include as
he has DONE my wife in his attacks. Nothing
could be more contemplate, or so far removed
from all instincts Of manhood
Mr.. Cleveland spoke with considerable feeling
in referring to the unwarranted use that had
been made Of Mrs. Cleveland's name by the edi-
tor of the Sun.
"There was no language he said, ''strong
enough to characterize the conduct of such
man. If Dana was ct in his dotage, with one
foot in the grave, his senile rawlings would at
tract more attention. The public are disposed
to look with some leniency upon man who
has mental paresis. That was all that saved
Dana from being held to strict accountability
for his atrocious conduct