Evening journal., 1891-02-13
THE WATTERSONLETTER
The Famous Editor Says 1t
Is Authentic.
CLEyELANDs STAND ON srIYEE

what tho Democratic Congrossmc Think
About the En-President's Opposition TO
the Free Coinage Idea Warmly Praised
by Some. bitterly censured by Others.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Feb. IS. The Hon.
Henry Watterson, in response TO requests
from the United Press as TO the authentic
ity Of the letter alleged 20 have been writ
ten by him to Governor Iilli in which Nr.
Watterson expressed the opinion that The
governor must yield to President Cleye-
land The presidential nomination in 1892 or
lose the support Of his party throughout
the Union. furnishes the United Press with
the following statement:
nTr. Wattersop's letter.
TorisyItiE Feb ~ wrote tho ettcr 70
Governor Hill and ] was inpelled 30 do so by
motives the sncerest and most diaintere,ied
There appeared In many of the great newspa-
pers last sunday a sensational account OF how
. caucus Of United States senators had resolved
iipon retiring Governor Hill from the presidcn-
tial arena: Of how had been selected as the I'M
sirmnent Of these senators, and how had dis
patched Hin letter potent enough 10 alter his
plans Whence this fantastic story emanated
cannot divine but II was so absurd and did
such injustice to both Governor I'LL and myself
that thought, a. / stin think, that there could
be no objection on the part Of anybody to the
publication Of the truth which fatty contra
dieted H.
Surprised at the Governors Conduct.
was induced to this by the circumstance
that Governor Hin had seemed to have adopted
a course suggested by considerations alike hon
orahle TO his character and creditable 60 his
Judgment; the more so indeed since the letter
in question furnished him ana his friends inn
partial testimony to answer and rcfute a most
cdious and widely circulated calumnv. ! con-
fess that I am surprised chat the governor
should make such haste 10 dslvow and disown
course which however prompted gratiiied
every Democrat IN The United States outside
the state of New York. removing him at oncc
from the field OF mere political scheming aud
self seeking, and placing him in the front rank
of statesmen having the good Of their country
and party at heart
Impcrtinent and Insulting.
am equally distressed by the representation
that Governor Hin should regard my plain
but friendly words as mpertinent and insult
ing / did not so intend them | cannot help
thinking that the same words might be with
propriety addressed to him. or to any Demo
cratic aspirant, by the hunblest Democrat in
the land; aud still hope that, annoyed by
publication which annoyed me as well, he has
proceeded upon misapprehension Of the facts
OF the case. / can assure him that neither in
the writing or printing of my letter was there
any purpose to take an advantage of him. and,
least of all 20 do him injustice am no mans
man aud exist in no man $ interest
~ am a Democrat"
To use his unhappy expression Il am Demo
cratn who has passed a lifetimein the service Of
principles and policies from which have never
sought the slightest personal recognition or re-
ward. ] am only humiliated by the reflection
that this service was not sufficient in the esti.
nation Of Governor Hill to protect me against
his displeasure, and that, in the harsh construc-
tion which he puts upon a genuine and not a
forged letter he visits me with what must re-
gard as unmerited suspicion.
HENRY WATTERsoN.