The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-19
WOES OF CLEVELAND
NOT GROVER, OF THE WHITE HOUSE,
BUT HIS CLERICAL BROTHER.
Troubles of Rev. w. N. Cleveland
with His Parishioners, as Related
by the Divine Himself.
CLAIMS TO BE Prosecuted
SAYS HIS RECENT DISMISSAL WAS
DUE TO POLITICAL BIGOTRY,
That n Faction Opposed Him Because
He II n Democrat and that Some
Called Him n Copperhead.
CLAIMS TO BE PROSECUTED
SAYS HIS RECENT DISMISSAL WAS
DUE TO POLITICAL BIGOTRY,

NEW YORK. April 1s.-The World this
morning prints dispatch from Rev. VIM. N.
Cleveland. the brother Of President C1eve-
land, giving detailed account OF the clergy
mans troubles with his parishioners. The
dispatch, which is dated Chaumont. N. Y.
April Is. says:
There Is no room for doubt that underly-
ing all the trouble in the Chaumont Presby-
terian Church. which resulted In my dismis-
sal as pastor, is political bigotry. Should
you canvass the village, you would learn
from its citizens that that Is the true state
of affairs. The general. might say the uni
versal opinion, is that politics had very much
to do with the trouble. If the words and con-
duct of the faction of my congregation which
is opposed to me mean anything. that is cer-
tainly the case. In fact, that was the formal
complaint made to my face by COMMITTEES
OF this opposing faction, which formally
waited on me at the parsonage q little more
than year ago. They came to complain OF
q Grand Army sermon had preached which
was nos according to their views. They said
that did not make sufficient allusion to the
late war, and expressed sympathy for me be-
cause of my being connected with a commun-
ity with whose political views was so much
out OF joint. The spokesman for the COM
mittee was an elderly gentleman, who Is the
head of a leading family OF the opposition.
Consistent with such a formal complaint
to me with regard to my politics there have
been variety of casual utterances from
these same parties. / have been on the
Lords day, and inside my church, designated
as an old copperhead by the leading man in
the opposing party. That same man, at an
annual church meeting. reduced his pew
rates. alleging tariff reform as the reason,
nd bof hofo xr;c 81 <ho
committee referred to above. His complaint
of too much tariff reform was made in writ
ing.
II had supposed that all was known about
me. especially my politics, before 1 came
here. But one day. In my own house. soon
after / took charge Of the church, the re-
mark was made that IL it had been known
that / was Democrat never would have
been appointed to this parish. 1t was also
said by the same person that 1t was surpris-
ing TO know that any man could be a DEM
ocrat and Christian at the same time, and
that 1t had been supposed thar such a thing
was impossible. This remark may have been
made partially in jest. however. Some one,
I do not know who. recently expressed salts
faction that this nest Of Democrats was
about to be broken up.
PREACHED TO REPUBLICANS
I'm the light OF these facts, does 1t not ap-
pear that politics had much to do with the
trouble? ] am sorry to be asked or induced
to say these t1iags. 1t seems necessary that
1 should. however, since the political phase
of the matter has been denied by these same
opposing parties and the details published
broadcast. As for myself. not even my
worst enemies will say that 1 ever In the
least degree discussed any political subject
in the pulpit. i do not remember. either.
of having discussed politics in thafvillage
outside Of the pulpit. My church nd con-
gregation are ALMOST unanimously Hepublic-
an. and majorik r Of thsm adhere = me In