The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-10-31
That Letter.

The letter referred to above is spread
ing dismay in the democratic ranks.
The letter which called forth that of
Minister West was written by one Muir
Gibson, and is given below:
POMONA Cal, September 4, 1884.
To the British Minister, Washington, u. c.
SIR. The gravity of the political situation
here and the duties of those voters who are
of English birth, but still consider England
the mother land, constitute the apology /
hereby offer for intruding information.
Mr.. Cleveland's message to congress on the
fishery question justly excites our alarm
and compels us to seek further knowledge
before finally casting our votes for him as
we had intended to do Many English citi-
Zens have for years refrained from being
naturalized, as they thought no good would
accrue from the act, but Mr. Cleveland's
administration has been so favorable and
friendly toward England, so kind in not en-
forcing the retaliatory act passed by con-
gress, so sound on the free-trade question
and so hostile to the dynamite school of
Ireland, that by the hundreds-yes, by the
thousands-they have become naturalized
for the express purpose of helping to elect
him over again. The one above all of
American politicians they consider their
own and their country's best friend.
am one of these unfortunates with right
to vote for president in November. / am
unable to understand for whom shall cast
my ballot, when but one month ago | was
sure Mr.. Cleveland was the man. IF
CLEVELAND WAS PURSUING A NEW
POLICY TOWARD CANADA, TEMPO
RARILY ONLY AND FOR THE SAKE
OF OBTAINING POPULARITY AND
CONTINUATION OF HIS OFFICE FOUR
YEARS MORE, BUT INTENDS TO
CEASE HIS POLICY WHEN HIS RE-
ELECTION is SECURED IN NOvEM-
Der AND AGAIN FAVOR ENGLAND'S
INTEREST, THEN I SHOULD HAVE
NO FURTHER DOUBTS, BUT GO FOR
WARD AND VOTE FOR HIM.
/ know of no one better able to direct me,
sir, and 1 most respectfully ask your advice
in the matter. | will further add that the
two men, Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Harrison,
are very evenly matched and few votes
may elect either one. Mr.. Harrison is a
high-tariff man, 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 mere handful of our naturalized coun-
trymen can turn it either way. When it is
remembered that a small state (Colorado)
defeated Mr. Tilden in 1876 and elected
Hayes, the republican, the Importance of
California is at once apparent to all
As you are at the fountain head of
knowledge on the question, and KNOW
ENT POLICY is TEMPORARY ONLY,
AND WHETHER HE WILL, AS SOON
AS HE SECURES ANOTHER TERN OF
FOUR YEARS IN THE PRESIDENCY,
SUSPEND IT FOR ONE OF FRIEND
SHIP AND FREE TRADE, l apply to you
privately and confidentially for information,
which shall in turn be treated as entirely
secret. Such information would put me at
rest myself, and. if favorable to Mr.. Cleve-
land, enable me, on my own responsibility,
to assure many of our conntrymen that
THEY WOULD DO ENGLAND A SER
VICE BY VOTING FOR CLEVELAND
AND AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN
SYSTEM OF TARIFF. AS L before OBJ
served, we know not 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, Yours, very respectfully. -.