The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-26
A Puzzled Briton Applies to Minister
West for Advice About Politics.
He Was Much Pleased with Mr. Cleveland's
Friendly Attitude TowardfngIand and Was
Delighted with His Free.Trade Ideas.
But the Presidents Retaliation Talk
Caused Some Confusion in His Mind,
And He Asked the.British Minister to Advise
Him How TO Vote. WhereupOn that Gen.
tleman Promptly Endorsed Cleveland.
WASHINGTON Special.

Washington Special.
Lord Sackville West is very independent about
his letter indorsine the Cleveland administra-
ton. Until his prompt Acknowledgement Of its
authorship there were few here. either Republic
ans or Democrats, who accepted it as genuine.
Lord Sackville says that of course hs did not
write the letter with the thought that it would
be published. but since it 10 printed he doesn't
care. He was asked his opinion, aud gave 1t, IS
he had q right to do. A naturalized Englishman
had written asking which OF the candidates ho
ought to vote for, and Lord Sackville. replied
with an Endorsement Of the Cleveland admins
tration, and inclosed AZ editorial of tho New
York Times giving reasons for voting for Cleve-
land, which might influence an Enelishman.
Lord Sackville says he has no fear that Mr..
Bayard will call him to account for taking part
in securing supp ort for Mr. Cleveland from such
United States In this he is doubtless right,
although the uuwritteu law governing the dip
lomatic representatives absolutely prohibits
them from participation in the political affairs
of the nation to which they are accredited. The
admission of tne British minister that tho letter
10 genuine causes much annoyance to the sd-
ministration Democrats, since il affords writ
ten proof that the English government desires
the policy Of Cleveland to succeed. As there
are only two points in it that England Is con-
cernad about namely free trade and the Canadian
question, Minister Vests letter is equivlent to
saying that Mr. Cleveland desires the friendly
support Of England and Englishmen. Since
Lord West has made the friendiness o; the
British Roverpment to the Cleveland policy
manifest, the Democratic managers Will be lack
ing In courtesy il they do not at once invite
him to take the stump for their ticket.
The letter is as follows:
"[Private.l
"BGvERLY Mass, Sept. 13. 1888.
Sir-I am in receipt Of your letter of the 4th
inst, and beg to say that fully appreciate the
difficulty in which you find yourself in casting
your vote. You probably aware that any
political party which openly favored the moth or
country at the present moment would lose pop
ularity, and that the party in power is fully
aware OF this fact The party, however. is,
believe, still desirous OF maintaining friendly re-
lations with Great Britain. and is still desir-
ous Of settling all questions with Canada
which have been unfortunately reopened
since the retraction of the treaty
by the Republican majority in the
senate, and by the Presidents msseage. to
which you allude. All allowances must, there
fore. be made for the political situation as re-
CARDS the presidential election thus created. It
is, however, impossible to predict the course
which President Cleveland may pursue in the
matter of retaliation. should he be elected; but
there is every reason TO believe that, while up
holding the position he has taken. he will man
ifest spirit Of conciliation in dealing with tbs
question involved in his message. inclOse an
article from the New York Times OF Aug. %
and remain, yours faithfully,
IL. S. SAcKvILLE WEST"
New York Times, Aug. o.
There is this further consideration n favor Of
supporting the administration on this issue 1t
will leave tho question still open for friendly
means Of settlement Of some kind. while a sup
port of the Senate's position would close all ave-
nues of future negotiations. aud bring upon the
country the disastrous consequences of retaia-
tion hostility, and possible war. 1t would put
an end to all prospect of improving the CONNER
cial relations Of the United States and Canada.
This is one of the questions which the people
should keep in mind in casting their votes next
November.
Brison Who Wanted Advice About Voting.
specai to the Indianapolis JourDa:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.-The following is the
letter to Minister West which called forth his
much. criticised reply:
POMONA, Cal. Sept. A. 1888.
''To the British Minister. Washington, ID. 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
mo,her-land, constitute the apology hereby
offer for intruding for information. Mr.. Cleve-
lands message to Congress on the fisheries
question justly excites our alarm, aud
compels us to seek further knowledge
before finally casting our votes for
him, as we had intended to do. Many
English citizens have for years refrainsd
from being naturalized, as they thought no good
would accrue from the act but Mr.. Clsvelaud's
administration has been so favorable and friend
ly toward England. so kind in not enforcing the
rstaliatory act passed by Congress. so sound on
the fres-trade question, aud so hostile to the
dynamite school Of Ireland that by the hundreds
yes by the thousands-they have become
naturalzed for the express purpose of helping to
elect him over again-the one above all Amer.
lean politicians they consider their own and
their country's friend am one OF these un-
fortunates. with right to vote for President in
November. I am unable to understand 70,
whom shall cast my ballot,
when but one month ago
was sure Mr. Cleveland was the man. If Clsvs.
land was pursuing . new policy toward Canada
temporarily only, and for the sake Of obtaining
popularity and continuation OF his Office four
years more Q. but intends to cease his policy wher
his reelection is secured in Novenbe and
again favor England's interest, 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 respectfully ask your advice
10 he matter. will further add that the two
men, Mr.. Cleveland and Mr. Harrison, are very
evenly matched. and . few votes may cleo
either one. Mr.. Harrison 10
high-tarif man, believer on tn,
American side Of oil questions, and undoubtedly
al enemy to British interests generally. Thi.
State il equally divided between the parties
and q mere handful of our naturalized country
men may decide the result. When Ii is reuem
bersd that small State tColorado) defeated Mr..
Tilden in 1876, and elected Hayes, the Repub
liean. the Importance of Cslifornis lie st one,
apparent to all. As you ars at the fountain
head OF knowledge on the question, ant
| know whether Mr.. Clsvelsnds presen
| policy is temporary only, and wheths
he will. 40 soon 90 he secures another tern
of four years in she presidency. suspend il fo
| nu> a1 risohshin f~>> sd. 7 o., vn,,