The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-18
A CLEVELAND DREAM.
An Interview With Cleveland In Dream
land.


land
10 THE EDITOR OF The TINES: "To
sleep, perchance to dream" Some queer
things happen when we are in dream
land and among the most agreeable OF
my experience in that strange territory
Is that of the assignment am supposed
to have had to interview President elect
Cleveland.
1t must have been the fact of nv
having that day written and thought n
great deal about the wonderful Grover,
but at any rate dreamed that we met
In the usual way and at once proceed to
colloquise:
p. Mr.. Cleveland, you are no doubt
conscious that you are tho cynosure of
all eyes since tho 'avalanche?"
Z: We'll, 1 read the papers, and es.
pecially The ROANOKE TIMES, and
fellow would be rather obtuse If he
didn't realize that several people were
gazing intently in my direction.
L. To carry the comparison little
further and still avoid the role of syco-
plant, would like to say, Mr.. Cleve.
lana, that tho torn "cTnosure" comes
about as near correctly defining your
position at this time as any word in
Weoster-"the constellation con tanning
the North star, to which the eyes Of
mariners are often directed"
e. You appear somewhat brilliant
tonight; which one OF the important
missions do you want?
P. Thanks, l never refuse: but 7
really didn't expect you to close tho
interview quite SO soon. My purpose in
favoring you with my presence was to
give you the advantage of our lacge cir.
culatlon, through which you NAV, if so
disposed, outline your policy
Z. That is very kind Of you and as l
feel somewhat in the humor to. night,
you may ask me few questions.
I. In the first place, shall ask you
to permit me to dispense with those
terms. your excellency," 'your honor"
ana such undemocratic figures of
Mr..
G. Why. certainly, just are awav.
z. Well, preliminarily, wasn't it en-
phatic? that vote.
Y. be cautious, my boy, in your esti.
mate. I've had some of tho enthusiasm
removed from my political makeup
since my defeat four years ago. lam
just as strong tariff reformer as
was when l wrote my message in
1887, but have been consulting the
spirit of Randall, and am admonished
that II we wish to hold the confidence OF
these emphatic voters we must not be
too free" with our reform.
p. Thanks for drifting so naturally
into the current of my thoughts. Twas
Just on the verge OF bringing you out on
this very point. You are undoubtedly cor
rect1n this conclusion, especially with re-
ference to the "solidity" in my Southern
home. We think that inasmuch as the
North and East grew so great upon the
conservation OF their natural products
and the discouragement of foreign COM
petition, that now we should be other
wise than wise We're we to permit these
same blessings to pass us by.
G. Now don't pin me down too close.
am not afraid to speak:my thoughts, as
| you perhaps know to our cost four wears
ago, but wish to avoid being prema-
| turo.
+. we love you for your honesty and
fee, perfectly safe in your hands. but
to change the subject can't you ease our
minds on the patronage question.
| y. Don't worry about that; you know
Adlafs record during the last two
years of our incumbency, and that axe
OF his is ground as sharp or sharper
than ever.
j.. Wnat OF the South? Arc we go
ing to have good times down there dur
ing your administration?
9. Really you flatter me. You PEG.
pie in the South must think am all
powerful. But you may say this for
mo on that subject l am your friend.
and our party is not ungrateful in the
recognition of the Solid South" Your
people all feel encouraged to go to work
again and in proportion to honest effort
you will prosper. Northern and Euro
pean capital will join you as soon as
you show by your own acts that your
institutions are still worthy OF consid-
Grafton. The administration is with
you, If that means anything.
+. / thank thee for tho word. It
nerves my heart, it steels my sword.
By the way, you may book me the
consulship of Gaboon, Equatorial Africa,
as want to meet Professor Garner and
do what can to encourage his gorilla
chasing.
G.. Itshall be as you wish, and I'll see
to 1t that you are conducted thither fully
equipped to render all the assistance
possible to this courageous man, whom
have tho pleasure of knowing, and in
whose work l take genuine interest
+. Your courtesy is only exceeded by
your generosity. Good night Mr.. Cleye-
land.
c. Good night, and thank YOU and
your excellent paper for this call
Graham, Va, Nov. 1o, 1899.
SEE orr limo ~ c1ool,, ,nI 40. -.,...