The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-28
NOT IN Il, ME- BOY
Thus Saith, Cleveland of
Political Arena.
"AIong the Cool Sequestered Vale of
Life" Quoth He, 'l'd Keep The
Ever Tenor Of My
Way"
(The New York Times.l

(The New York Times.)
Princeton, n. j., June 25-Ex-Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland discussed some
of the political topics that have a per
sonal bearing upon the coming Ma
! tional election IN an interview had
with him at his home here
Mr. Cleveland will leave soon for
New Hampshire, where he will pass
| the greater part of the summer. When
| the reporter called, Mrs. Cleveland
! was seated upon the veranda. She re-
| ccived the visitors card and took it
| upstairs herself to the eX-President in
| his study. Mr.. Cleveland came down
at once and met the caller with
smile and democratic greeting.
The conversation which followed
| covered many topics, but on only a
| few of them was the eX-President will
ing that his opinions should be pub
| liCly repeated at this time. He de-
Clared himself, as he often had before.
out of politics, and expressed the con-
Viction that nothing could be further
from the probabilities than that he
should be asked again to accept the
nomination for President. He would
not discuss any candidates, and con-
scented to speak explicitly OF only two
| important features of the Republican
National platform.
Mr.. Cleveland expressed the opinion
that the question of tariff adjustment
must certainly occupy u large place in
the canvass; that that question forced
itself inevitably upon the statesmen
Of the Nation, and that whether it
should be met or not was not, there
fore, dependent upon their viii. He
criticised the vaguenesS of the Re
publican promises as to the political
future of the Philippines, and charac-
terized lIlihu Roots speech at the
Chicago convention as an exceedingly
"adroit' instrument. He would not
touch upon the foreign policies of the
Government. He confirmed the APP
prevail already expressed by him of
Parker and Olney as aspirants to the
Presidency, but he took especial pains
to disclaim any idea of influencing the
choice of the Democratic National
Convention, or any thought that his in
fiuence could avail in that particular.
The ex-President is leading his usual
quiet and studious life, but he con-
tessed that he found it difficult to
work as he termed it, while nature
called SO insistently out OF doors to ali
who appreciate her. He is looking in
excellent health, and his manner was
kindly, cordial. sometimes jocular, al
ways plain and modest.
Being congratulated upon the fact
that he appeared to be fully fit for any
great public responsibility, Mr.. Cleve-
land smiled family. as if the question
We're too suggestive of an ambition
to which he is q stranger, but he said:
"My health was never better. My
great desire is to lead tranquil
Trough not a useless, life. Z cannot
hope to be happier than / am here, in
the home of my choice and with my
preferred occupations"
Mr.. Cleveland is scarcely as stout as
he was q few months ago, and is APP
parently quicker and more energetic
in his movements. His hair is no
grayer than it was five years ago, and
his face is ruddier. His eyes are clear
and they readily kindle into humor-
Gus sparkle. When animated he
speaks with great vigor and in sonor-
ous though perfectly tempered tones.
To the question bluntly put to him:
IF the Democratic National Conven-
ton again dominates you for the Pres
idency would you accept?" his first
answer was a pantomine. He vigor-
ously shook his head and lifted his
hand depreciatingly. Then he ex-
claimed, with rapid utterance:
THAT will not happen; that will not |
happen. so there is no use of talking |
about it,
81 am out of political affairs he
continued. 81 have said it often, so
that it ought to be we'll understood"
Asked what he thought of the sug-
gestion that the Democrats would do
most wisely to take their candidate for !
Vice President from the Southern |
States. the ex-President dictated. the |
following:
Il must decline to enter into any /
discussion of political questions at this
time. 1t cannot be possible that my /
opinion on any question that is about
to be involved in the National canvass
can be misunderstood. l do not ex-
pect to be concerned actively in the
plans that are now occupying the
thought and effort of the Democratic
managers, and it is quite proper that
] should be out of that account, mas
much as l consider myself as absolute
ly retired from political activities.
IN answer to your question as to
what issues | would regard as most
important in the present situation OF
the country, | would say that it is inn
possible at this time to specify the
questions which in the mutations of
the thought of our people may most
occupy their attention when they are
called upon to express themselves at
the polls
do you think, Mr. Cleveland. that
the tariff question will be of prime
importance in the campaign"
81 have no objection to saying re-
plied the eX-President with marked
emphasis and deliberations that in
my opinion, whatever else happens,
the question of tariff adjustment can
not fail to occupy a large place in the
political discussions of the present can
VaSS.
Gwen the few evasive and grudg-
ing words contained in the Republican