The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-19
oLEYEnANn HEDGING.
His Lottcrto Mrs. White Dictated Through
"Sympnthy for Distressed Woman"

His Lottcrto Mrs. White Dictated Through
"sympathy for n Distressed Woman"
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Sept. 1S.-After the
commutation by Governor Buchanan OF
the sentence of II. Clay King, con-
demncd TO death for the murder OF
David II. Poston, the brother OF Kings
victim, Frank 2. Poston, addressed a
letter to Grover Cleveland, strongly de-
precating the letter he had written to
Kings niece, Mrs. I. X. White. Mr..
Poston, courteous throughout his letter,
was plain and TO the point. He said
that Mr.. Cleveland's action was "un-
warranted and blow at good govern
ment, and would in all probability cost
him some votes in Tennessee. 1t GER
tainly would among the members OF
the Poston family and its connection"
10 this Mr.. Cleveland replied as follows:
GRAY GABLES, MASS, Aug. II.
Frank p Poston, Esq:
"MY DEAR srR:-In reply to your let
ter OF the 18th instant, | beg you to be-
lieve that am in no wise wanting in
sympathy for you or the family and
friends OF your brother, nor do | for.
get that in the situation there is
a perfect excuse. for conclusions
arrived at without absolutely cool
Judgment, but l address you in
the hope that, Notwithstanding
all this, you may be able to take u more
reasonable view OF my conduct. Ihave
been amazed beyond expression at tho
misinterpretation which has been
placed upon my letter written to Mrs.
il. X. White. cannot conceive what
there is in the minds OF the people OF
YOUR locality which leads them TO give
1t meaning SO entirely foreign to my
intention and so entirely beyond its
lust Interpretation. This is the first
reply which have thought fit to make
to the fresh criticism OF my action in
this matter.
After some hesitation l have deter
mined to say to you OH account OF the
sincerity and courtesy OF your letter
and you. relations to the tragedy, that
am still utterly unable TO account for
the feelings which my letter has oc-
casioned. Have you and others who
are inclined to criticise my action for a
moment reflected upon the fact that
my letter was written in response to
the pitiable plea OF an apparently heart
broEonw woman, settngforthin manner
most impressive the reasons why the life
of her uncle should be spared? Have
YOU and my critics overlooked the fact
that l absolutely declined to interfere
with tho dovernor in behalf of this
man? Have you and they forgotten the
courtesy and consideration which gen.
tlemen in the North as well as in the
South consider due to the appeal OF n
woman? Has 1t entirely escaped atten-
ton that the letter was dictated simply
and solely by sympathy which every
true nun ought to feel for woman IN
distress. don't overlook the fact that
in tho closing paragraph OF the letter l
felt that there might be extenuating
circumstances. This was written in
connection with the plain statement Of
nv letter, absolutely forcing tho mean
ing in any ones mind who saw it, that
nv idea concerning extonuntion was
derived from the letter to which re-
sponded.
did not add that SO far rs my meaning
and intent were concerned ! did not
in the least regret my. action, In re-
sponse to your suggestion that this act
Of mine may result in the loss of Dem
ocratic votes in the pending campaign,
YOU will pardon me, / hope, ii ! say
that whom political expediency forces
me to be discourteous to a distressed
woman, am prepared to retire from
politics. Very truly yours,
CfRnVRR CLEvRfAND