The sun., 1896-10-18
The Cleveland Horoscope of 1898.

At least half dozen correspondents have
asked US recently to reproduce an astrologi-
cal forecast of Mr. CLEvELAND's second
term, originally printed in the arena rather
more than two years ago, and copied at that
time by THE Sun as curiosity of predic-
tion. Our correspondents seem to regard
the horoscope as very wonderful and mys-
terious piece of prophecy, verified in start
ling manner by subsequent events.
Let us see what the horoscope was, and
Just how far this view of its Importance will
stand critical examination. The astrologer
who turned his attention to Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS personal and political fortunes was
gentleman named julius ERICKSON. His
forecast was published by the Arena in the
summer of 1894. with note alleging that
the manuscript had been submitted in the
third week in March, 1898. a duplicate Of
the same having then been filed at Washing
ton with the Librarian of Congress. Owing
to the planetary and lunar conditions on
March 4, 1898. when the President was in
augurated, and to various minor indications
not necessary to enumerate, Mr.. ERICKSON
foresaw troublous time for Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND and serious disaster for the Democra-
cy. We shall not concern ourselves with
the zodiacal and other astrological techni-
calities of ERICKsoN's article, more than to
mention In diSmissing them the moon, the
malignant influence of Saturn, and the po-
siton of Mars on the cusp of the eleventh
house as the principal sources of mischief.
1t is quite enough to take from the article
such of the predictions as are at all specific
and verfiable, eliminating most of the hocus-
pocus and the jargon:
Tho Presidents Judgment In many cases will bo
decidedly at variance with the policy which public
will expect to emanate from the head OF the Demo
cratic party, which will be- the cause OF producing
some extremely unpleasant conditions and sharp
criticisms not entirely calculated To multiply his
earthly pleasures; nnd he VIII have a far more
troublesome annoying disappoInting and anx.
iousiy vexatious time OF IL than any President has
had since LINCOLN"
This need not detain us. It was not nec-
essary to go to the zodiac for that informa-
tion. The political conditions existing on
this part Of our own planet, and Mr. CLEvE-
LANDS known idiosyncrasies, afforded to
any intelligent observer all the material
requisite for the prediction of generally
inharmonious time.
"During CLEvELASp's incumbency there will be dis
covered some startling mischief. or some fearful
calamity something entirely out OF the general run OF
AFFAIRS In connection with some of our public bu Id.
ings, In which tho general Government Is interested;
but n II Ia Of criminal nature. Lord help the crmi.
na% THIS strange prediction Is based on the position
of Uranus In the fourth mansion Uranus has ever
been held to signify odd and entirely pected ca
lamites, such come in strange and singular WAYS:
the precise nature cannot be foreod. hut the proba
bilitles are clearly Indicated Observe It WELL"
This is the most positive and definite thing
In the horoscope: A startling and fearful
calamity. something entirely out of the or
dinary run, involving public building in
which the general Government is interested
and question OF criminal responsibility on
the part OF somebody. The collapse of the
old Ford's Theatre building, used by the
Government as a branch of the Pension
Office, occurred on June 8, 1898, killing
about score of people and injuring twice
ms many more. The alleged prediction OF
Mr., ERICKSON points clearly to this disaster
and to the subsequent investigation as to |
criminal responsibility for the same The |
trouble with this part of the horoscope
is that it reads precisely as il written |
after the event, not before it. Every phrase |
has the appearance OF being constructed |
with full knowledge of the newspaper nc. |
counts Of the Ford's Theatre disaster, but
with deliberate intention of avoiding the |
appearance of unastrolOgical particularly. |
As matter of fact, Fords Theatre had |
collapsed, and the question of criminal re-
sponsiblity had been raised, but not set |
tied, more than year before the Erickson |
horoscope was published in the arena; and
for the statement that the article, exactly
as printed in August or September. 1894,
had been filed with Mr.. SPoFPoRD In Wash
ington in M{rch. 1898. before the Ford's