The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-31
What the President SAYS to His Friends.

The indianapolis Journal has a special
| despatch from it's Washington correspon-
| dent which 1t evidently regards as wholly
reliable. and from which we quote as
| follows:-
zone Of the officials who was so swift
to dsnounce the published reports con-
cerning the Presidents ill-health the
other day. had before him at the time
he made his denials two or three letters
written in the Presidents own hand and
dated since the Chief Executive depart
ed from Washington. The principal topic
Of those letters was the advisablity OF
the President remaining away from
Washington Longer than the LIST. Of Sep
tember, and his present condition or
health. These letters were read by anoth-
er high official Of the Administration
whose veracity cannot be questioned
"The President stated in these letters
in the most positive language. that his
health continued to be the uppermost
subject in his mind, and TO cause him
serious concern. lie did not state what
his trouble was, as he knew the person
20 whom he wrote was familiar with the
character Of his Illness. The President
did say that his condition was no better
than when he left Washington and he
feared he could not overcome the serious
character OF his indisposition. In the most
concise and emphatic language the Pres
ident left the impression upon the mind
Of the second official VINO read those
letters that his trouble was organic, pro-
badly permanent, and so serious as 10
cause him alarm.
when President Cleveland prepared
the statement which gave the reason for
his departure, a few days ago, for Buz-
yards Bay, he not only said In plain
language to the country that he was In
III health, and was going away on that
account, but he stated 10 another person
that he was so seriously sick that he
intended TO devote himself TO his health
rather than pending questions before Con-
gress and office giving. These statements
your correspondent makes under circum-
stances which warrant him in being posi-
tive. as they come so straight as to admit
Of no perversion. They may be denied.
but II is not likely that the President
himself will deny them. The statements
respecting his health. which have been
made in these dispatches, were based
almost wholly upon private conversations
which the President has mad with public
men and the letters he has written with
his own hand since he last went to Gray
Gables"
The Philadelphia Evening Telegraph
says editorislly:
The President Of the United States is
the most public character in the country.
Everything that concerns him is Of great
interest To the people. This Is entirely
legitimate; in fact, IL ought not be any
otter way There are times, too. when
public feeling I'm this respect is intensi-
fed. Throughout the present national
crisis there has been one earnest desire
on the part OF the people Of all classes
and conditions, embodied In the general
wish that Mr.. Cleveland may be able I'm
all respects 70 meet the exigencies Of the
time The statements given out from time
10 time. in tuch mysterious and almost
aggravating way, as 10 the condition or
the Presidents health. have only served
10 emphasize the public curiosity. II is
evident that the Executive himself, true
10 his candid nature, has been strongly
disposed to carry out his famous declara-
ton upon another occasion; In word,
40 tell the truth" He would not allow.
in his name, any misrepresentation as TO
his reason for absenting himself from the
Capital during the past fortnight, and no
word has come from him calculated 70
deceive the people. He plainly said that
he was In a condition OF physical weari-
ness and prostration that imperativeiy
demanded change OF air, quiet and rest.
He has had all this. and now
II Is TO be hoped that he VIII
be able 10 return 10 w ash
lngton enjoying a greater measure OF
health and strength than he has known
for some time
The story published to-day concerning
the recent attention at the hands OF med
ical and surgical men Of great skill by |
the President may startle many readers
OF the newspapers. yet it is only an am
of statements which have |
been current in well-informed circles for |
some time. II would be quite Impossible
In a case like this to keep the veil OF
secrecy inviolate for an indefinite period.
aud no good would come from such
coSse. The Prpsidenu has passed
through a period Of great trial and sur
fering. and there will be universal hope
that the promises OF the present as to
ais condition will be speedily fuinlled
Mr.. Cleveland is a man Of such striking
the public would expect just
such heroic behavior on his part as is
recorded in this eventful chapter In his
history. Let him have tho kindly sympa-
hy and heartiest support OF the whole
people In the performance OF the respon-
IiblH public dufiea which ara before him. L