Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-15
STILL NON-COMMITTAL.
Mr.. Cleveland's Letter Does Not Say
Whether He Will or Not.
HON. EDWARD S. BRACES INQUIRY
ELECTS no Definite Statement From the Ex-Presidsnt
as 10 His Views Of the Presidential Nomina-
tOn-Were His Personal Desires Only,
Considered, II Would Be Easy.

MINIATURES, WIS, March 14.-Hon.
Edward 5. Bragg, author Of the famous
phrase I'VE love him for the enemies
he has made" has been urging exPres-
ident Cleveland to make public avowal
OF his position in connection with the
approaching Democratic Presidential
convention. Under date Of March 5, he
wrote letter to Mr.. Cleveland from
Fond Du Lac, containing the following
paragraph:
The danger Of the public interests
which a failure of the Democratic party
would involve seems TO me now 10 re-
quire the open avowal OF your willing
ness to submit TO any service TO which
your party and the people may assign
you. Many entertain fears that you
may decline further public duty which
none but you can effectually remove
and your voice will be everywhere
heard with benefit and effect. | believe
your usefulness to the nation may be
greater now than ever in the past
TO carry TO victory the cause OF
tariff reform and TO restore the
blessings of good government TO our
people; and as your fellow Democrat
and fellow citizen, | ask you 10 say to
your party and the people that your
name may be presented to the National
Democratic Convention as candidate
for it's nomination to the Presidency,
and that you will accept that nomina-
ton IL the convention shall make II,
and again undertake the duties Of Pres
ideut il the people shall, as | believe
,h0 fn n
In reply the ex-PreSident writes as
follows:
LAKEWOOD. n. J., March 0, 1892.
"Hon. EdlCdrd s. Bragg:
"MY DEAR SIR--Your letter OF the
5th inst. is received. / have thought
until now that | might continue silent
on the subjects which, under the high
sanction of your position as my fellow
Democrat and fellow citizen and in
YOUR relation as true and trusted
friend, you present TO me. II, in an
swerng your questions, | might only
consider my personal desires and my
individual ease and comfort, my re-
sponse would be promptly made and
without the least reservation or diff
Guilty. But if you are right
in supposing that the subject Is
related TO duty / owe TO the country
aud to my party, a condition exists
which makes such private and personal
considerations entirely Irrelevant. l
cannot. however, refrain from declaring
TO you that my experience in the great
Office of the President Of the United
States has so impressed me with the
.
sponsibilities, that | cannot bring my
self to regard candidacy for the place
as something to be won by personal
strife and active self assertion.
~ have also an idea that the Presi-
dency is pre-eminently the peoples
Office, and I have been sincere In my
constant advocacy of the effective par
ticipation in political affairs on the part
NJ all our citizens. Consequently be-
lieve the people should be heard in the
choice OF their party candidates, and
that they themselves should make NOM
nations as directly as is consistent with
open, fair and full party organization
and methods.
al speak OF these things solely for
the purpose Of advising you that my
conception of the nature OF the Presi-
Dental office aud my conviction that
the voters OF our party should be free
in the selection Of their candidates pre-
clude the possibility OF my leading and
pushing a self-seeking canvass for the
Presidential nomination even II had
desire TO be again candidate.
believing that the complete suprem-
acy of Democratic principles means In
creased national prosperity and the in
creased happiness Of our people, am
earnestly anxious OF the success OF the
party. am confident success is still
within our reach, but believe this Is a
time for Democratic thoughtfulness
and dcliberation. not only as to candi-
dates but concerning party action upon
question OF immense interest TO the pa
triotic and intelligent voters OF the
land who watch for an assurance OF
safety, as the price of their confidence
and support.
Yours very truly,