The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1895-12-22

cpuhtrymen crowded, and sought to touch
,he pail OF the man whom their calumny
nh1 Killed, has any man been SO mis-
Judged py MS own nation and people ms
has Grover Cleveland.
me diary of Mr.. Thurbcr. quoted from
ueloW; VIII reyoluuonizc public opinion
regarding one dark period of MIR, Jieve-
ilhu administration. 1t reads us fol-
what responsibility II is to be pri-
,Yate secretary Of the president of the
United States. | have sometimes thought
of resignng, but have always hesitated
70 do so; knowing that ii did. | would
lose both my salary and my position.
The president is kind TO ME, and makes
me his conhdant, but the burden Of i'm
portant secrets | bear, and the knowledge
have of the tremendous inner workings
present difficulty with Sngllnd is giving
us much unc0siness. While Ir. Cleve-
land is peacefully sleeping ! nave pnssed
many nights without c'osiag my eyes,
thinking over the deli ,ate sisuation, as IL
is my duty as secretary 20 10.
~ have been quite unset vi late on ac
count Of piece of treachery or The pert
OF H. G. Benedict. Il man from New
York Worming himself into the presi-
dents confidence, he clici'cd rom him an
expression TO the effect that h did not
desire reelection. and has nOisCd the
matter abroad in the newspapers Fri
waite condolences should not bc divuiged
for the sake of cheap roiSricty. | was
preparing statement Of IT. CleyelanG's
views when Mr.. Benedict published hrs.
but the English cmn 'oglio is the thing
that worries me the most"
Senator Chandler called today NJ the
presidents private office. |, and Mr..
Cleveland and Mr.. Olhcy were seated at
table conyerSing Chandler Is a lief,
abrupt man. with little regard for pre-
liminaries. He drew large pistol from
his pocket and threw 1t upon the table.
Pursuing my line of duty as secretary.
gave Il start of alarm. DO rot fear he
said, I'm wearing that for Salisbury, in
case he comes over in person to demand
satisfaction. Now he continued, his
voice gaining in volume and impcrious-
ness, 1 want to know at once what you
intend to do. | am Il patriotic citizen
aud freely accord the administration the
honor of taking the initiative in this affair
if II desires to do SO; but | am also an
American, and will no, see my country =
rights abused. ] demand n cabinet meet
ing and immediate action. "
Il caught MIR. Cleycand's eye and read
it's meaning.
E" senator, said. war is a dreadful
thing. In its trail come famine blood
aud tears. Rich md mighty rs th,s coun-
try is. another war would exhaust our
finances Two hundred and fifty years
after a war with England our pension
roll would amount to over S3O0O0O,o0O
be satisfied to have Minister Bayard re-
called, and be given the English port
folioY
"'Ihc latter, Of course, would suit me
better said the senator i am not M
reasonable. My only desire was to humil-
late the arrogant British nation, and |
can do thar quite rs well. by becoming
United States amha ssador TO their conn
try
The matter, them said Mr.. Olncy.
can hc considered as
Silence said |, holding up my hand
and turning to Senator Chandler.
How far, senator | asked, have
matters gone hctN You and England
in regard to this war;
Not too far for amicable adjustment.
said the senator. But have here in my
pocket formal declaration If war by
the United States, which | had prepared
and intended 10 forward Immediately had
not this interview terminated rs il did
The senator drew a bulky envelope
I.
upon it he started violently and turned
Great hcavens' he exclaimed. 4
have mailed the wrong letter. ] had two
in my pocket and this is the one
thought matted. The declaration Of
war is already on its way to England"
Mr. Oney spraug 10 his feet, but be-
fore he could speak. | said:
How was it addressedF
ITO Queen Victoria, herself Balmoral
Castle, England
Mr. Cleveland eaped from his chair
and ran with remarkable agility TO a
cabinet in the corner of the room.
He rapidly took out fishing pole.
reel and paper bag of ham sandwiches.
What are YOU going to do:' l asked.
laying my hand on his arm.
"'Do| he sad in n hoarsc voice
am going fishing, The International com
plications existing at present do not pre-
sent any solution consistent with diplo-
maize negotiations, and the problem inn
mediatcly imminent can only he met by
piscatorial treatment
Sit down, Mr.. President thun-
dered This occasion demands change
Of policy
You are right, as usual said Mr..
Cleveland. recovering himself. Mr.. Oh
ncy. You 20 at once and have IA navy
built and call the country to arms. BE
quick or British warships will be thun-
dering in our harhors. This error of
yours, Mr.. Chandler, will plunge your
country into sea Of blood
Stop, Mr. Oiney,' | cried, war may
yet be avcrted. The main thing, however,
is to prevent the people Of the United
States from becoming panlc-Stricken. Tie
knowledge of this declaration of war must
be Kept from them. Everything possible
must he done TO prevent the queen from
acting upon Senator Chambers message.
Some time must elapse before she can do
80. The declaration must be submitted
To parliament, and the answer committed
formally to Lord Salisbury for transmits
sion 10 this country. Sit down, Mr.. Oh
lcy, and write rs | dictate
Mr.. pney seized his pen and wrote
a. spoke the words
Executive Mansion. Washington, D..
C.. |. :. A-Dcar Lord Salisbury
pIease cancel and return declaration OF
war mniled Queen Victoria by Senator
Chandler. The senator IL suffering from
wind cflic and his communication does