Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-26

ing 10 elect him over again The one above all of
American politicians they consider their and
their Countrys hest friend
am one of those uufortunates with right to
vote for president in November I am unable TO
for whom l stall cast my ballot,
when but one month ago | was sure that Mr.
Cleveland was the man. If Cleveland was pursu-
ing policy toward Canada temporarily only
and the purpose obtaining popularity and
continuation of his office four years more but in
tends to cease his policy when his reelection is
secured in November, and again favor Engand's
interests then should have no further doubts,
but go forward and vote for him | know of no
one better able TO direct me sir, and | most re-
spectfuly ask your advice in the matter l will
further add that the two men, Mr.. Cles Gland and
Mr. Harrison, are very evenly matched. and a
few votes may elect either one. Mr.. Harrison is
a high tariff man. R believer on the American side
of all questions, and undoubtedly an enemy to
British interests generally. This state is equally
divided between the parties, and a mere handful
of our uaturalized countrymen can turn it either
way. When it is remembered that small state
Colorado defeated Mr. Tiden in 1876 and elected
Hayes the Republican the importance of Cali
fornia is at once apparedt to all.
AS you at the fountain head of knowledge
on the question, and know whether Mr. Cleve-
lands present policy is temporary only, and
whether he will, as he secures another
term OF four years in the presidency, suspend il
for one of friendship and free trade apply to
you privately and coufidentiay for information.
which shall in turn be treated as entirely secret
Such information would put me to rest myself,
and if favorable TO Mr.. Cleveland enable me- on
my own responsibility, to assure many of our
countryInen that they would do England service
by voting for Cleveland and against the Repub-
lican system of tariff. As before observed, we
know what to do, but look for more light on
mysterious subject which the sooner it comes
will better serve true Englishmen in casting their
votes.
To this Mr.. West replied as follows:
[Priratel
SIR: am in receipt of your letter OF the 4th in
slant, and beg to say that fully appreciate the
difficulty in which you find yourself in casting
your vote. You are probably aware that any po-
litcal party which openly favored the mother
country at the present moment would lose popu-
larty, and that the party in power is fully aware
of this fact The party. however. is believe
still DESTROYS of maintaining friendly relations
with Great Britain, and is still as deSiro OF set
Ting all questions with Canada which have been
unfortunately reopened since the rejection of the
treaty by the Republican majority in the senate.
and by the presidents message TO which you al
Jude. All allowances, therefore, mus be made
for the political situation as regards the presi-
dental election thus created. 1t is, however i'm
possible TO predict the course which President
Cleveland may pursue in the matter of retalia-
ton should he be elected; but there is every rea-
son to believe that, while unfolding the position
he has taken he will manifest spirit of concilia-
ton in dealing with the ques ion involved in the
message. l inclose an article from The New
York Times of Aug q, and remain yours faith
fully, L. S. SAcKvILLE WEST.
BEVERLY, Mass, Sept 10, 1855.
The extract from The New York Times
referred to says in substance that Cleveland's
election will leave the fisheries question still
open for friendly settlement, while his defeat
would close all future negotiations and pos
sibly eventuate in war.
The correspondence has called out some Sc
we're criticisms of Mr. West, who is roundly
denounced in some quarters for interfering
in American politics, and the remark that
the president should give him his passports
is frequently heard The mildest criticism is
that the minister's action has shown a de-
cided want of good taste. Senator Morgan,
a member Of the senate committee on for
eign relations, was the defender of the adj
illustrations foreign policy in the senate
The senator was at the White House
Wednesday, and the letter of Mr. West was
discussed with the president. In an inter-
view, the publication of which is author
lied, senator Morgan said:
Minister West has probably as much
knowledge as to the presidents disposition in
this natter as you have or has any other pri-
vate citizen He has no more The only
thing he has to base an opinion on is what
the whole world has the presidents message.
No only has Mr. West no private informa-
tion, but, as know to be fact, Mr.. Cleve-
| | nd has no private views on the subject that
conflict with the clear utterances OF his mes
sage. When Mr.. West attempt to con-
strue the presidents attitude differently. and
to advise an American citizen as to the dispo-
sition of his political franchise, he is guilty
Of unwarrantabe interference with the af
fairs Of this country His deductions are
based on nothing, and his conclusions are alb
solutely false. | do not say that he does not
believe in them himself; say merely that
he does not know Mr.. Cleveland and is de-
ceiving himself
"The president made an independent study
of the Canadian question, not relying on any
one else for his Information, and in an in
credibly short time he mastered it. He has
astonisned me by his quick grasp of the sit
uation. He is the most perfect student OF
facts have ever met. He has no imagina
ton whatever. He grssps the facts and doe
not see the shadows that surround them tt
delude So little partisanship entered into
it in his mind that be could not be con
WINGED that be would meet with any party
opposition. | can say with full knowledge
that had the bill that passed the house Sc
promptly been adopted by the senate also
the proclamation requiring duties to be col
lected on goods in transit to and from Can
ada through the United States would havs
been issued. II the bill should pass aftel
election, at any time during his administra
ton he would enforce 1t at once think,
and believe the president thinks, that no tru,
American can feel perfectly satisfied-car
feel that the work of our fathers is complet,
until we hold every right won by the rev.
olution and granted by the treaty of 1898
Of which England has deprived US of the en-
toyment. That would be the result final,
Of the enforcement of the presidents policy
bnlieve. 1t is the only true American pol
icy"
The senator thought there were some o
the elements OF treason-a very small AM
Insignificant treason to be sure but some
thing OF that sort-in an American citizel
and British minister trying to effect the cast
ing of a vote to the best interest of England
He did not think Mr.. West could appreciat
an improperly like that. Senator Morga
thought there should be no official motto
taken OF his utterances, and he believed tina
the president thought so too The presiden
would undoubtedly issue proclamation, il
accordance with the act of 1887, if no furthe
power was granted him, should Canada
out-ages be renewed, The president sti
hoped that the bill recommended in his las
message would be passed by the senate l
Mr.. Cleveland were reelected this might b
done, but the senator thought that the RI
publican senators did not want Mr.. Cleve
land to have the honor of forcing Englani
to concede to US all the rights won in tn
revolution.
Lord Sackylle was seated in his office las
night when a representative OF the Unite
Press called to ask him if he had seen Nj
Bayard's statement His lordship read wit
much elaboration and very apparent uncol
Germ the secretary's statement When he ha
concluded the perusal, he looked up at Il
, reporter as though he expected question
what have you to say about It'll" was IL
reporters query.
Nothing; don't care to criticise it tt
letter sent me from California was undouh
edly written for the purpose of entrappin
me. In a few days / expect to be in POI
tion to make public the manner in which Il