The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-23
THE PRESIDENCY NOT a PRIZE.
Ex-PresIdent Gives His Views on the high
est Office in the Land.

with the approaching Democratic Pres
idential Convention. Under date of
March ) he wrote letter to Cleveland
from Fond du Lac containing the fol-
lowing paragraph:
THE danger to the public interests
which the failure of the Democratic
party would involve seems to me now
to require the open avowal of your
willingness to submit to any service to
which your party may assign you.
Many entertain fears that you may de-
cline 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 aud
to restore the blessings Of good govern
ment to our people; and as your fellow
Democrat and fellow citizen, ask you
to say to your party and people that
your name will be presented to the
National Democratic Convention as
candidate for its nomination to the
Presidency and that you will accept
shat nomination if the Convention
shall make it and again undertake the
duties of President if the party shall,
as believe they will, choose you for
that Office
In reply the Ex-President writes as
follows:
LAKEWOOD, n. j., March 8, 1902
Hon. Edward S. Bragg-Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 5th instant is re-
celved. I have thought until now that
I might continue silent on 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 pre-
sent to me.
If in answering your questions l
might only consider my personal de-
sires and my individual ease and COM
fort, my response would be promptly
made and without the least reservation
or difficulty. But if you are right in
supposing that the subject is relared to
the duty owe to the country and to
nv party, a condition exists which
makes such private and personal con-
sideration entirely Irrelevant.
cannot, however refrain from de-
claring to you that my experience in
the great Office of President of the Uni
ted States has so impressed me with
the solemnity of the trust and itss full
responsibilities, that I cannot oring
myself to regard candidacy for the
place as something to be won by per-
sonal strife and active self assertion.
I have also an idea that the Presi-
dency is pre-eminently the peoples
| office, and have been sincere in my
constant advocacy of the effective par
ticipation in political affairs on the
part of all our citizens. Consequently
I believe the people should be heard in
the choice Of their party candidates,
and that they themselves should make
nominations as directly as is consistent
With open; fair, and full party organi-
zation and methods.
speak of these thugs solely for the
purpose of advising you that my con-
ception of the nature OF the Presiden-
tial office, and my conviction that the
voters of our party should be free in
the selection OF their candidates pre-
cludes the possibility Of my leading
and pushing self-seeking canvass for
the Presidential nomination, even if
had a desire to be again a candidate.
Believing that the complete suprem-
acy of Democratic principles means
increased national prosperity, and the
increased happiness of our people, am
earnestly anxious for the success Of the
party. Lam confident success is still
within our reach, but I believe this is
a time for Democratic tloughtfulness
and deliberation, not only as to candi-
dates, but concerning party action
upon questions of immense interest tc
the patriotic and intelligent voters o1
the land, who watch for assurance Of
safety as the price Of their confidence
and support Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
STANDS BY WHAT HE WROTE.
/ New YORK, March 15.-Ex-Presi'
dent Cleveland was seen at his Lake
wood cottage last night, and informed
of the publication by Gen. Bragg Of hi:
'etter regarding the next nominee O
the Democratic party for the Presi
dency.
Mr.. Cleveland said: "1f Gen. Bragg
has published any letter Of mine, it i:
all right. 90 not recollecI JusI VIA
I wrote, but whatever I said in my
letter stands
Further than this the Ex-Presiden
would not talk.
It is learned from an intimate friene
of Mr.. Cleveland that petition, signed
by between 100000 and 100000 voters
would be presented to the Chicago con
vention asking that Mr.. Cleveland b.
recognized as the candidate Of New
York State.
All for Barley Corn.
LaFontaine, in one Of his fables, tell
ofa barnyard fowl that scratched up
gem while scratching for corn. No
knowing its value, he gave it to ston
, cutter for barles corn. Thus do man.
persons throw away the priceless pear
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