Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-05-11
Senator Barbour's Reply.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. May 10, 1Ss

time. have since read with regret the
proceedings of the Cleveland Club OF
Richmond on the evening of Thursday
last, at which one of the orators of the
occasion, Mr.. Williams, member of
Congress from the State of Massachu-
sets, went out of his way to impugn
the motives of the Senators of Virginia,
and to charge that their opposition to
the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland for the
presidency grew out of their failure to
be allowed ito run the offices" during
his administration, and this ungentle-
manly and low-ilung imputation is
stated by the Times to have been re-
ceived by the audience with ''vociferous
applause. /"
was not so much surprised that the
germ OF this mean insinuation should
have emanated from such source, but
| was 10th to believe that it would have
found approval and congenial soil in
any meeting of Virginia democrats, and
especially in a meeting held at the Cap
ital of the State.
am quite willing to admit that pub
lie men are properly subject to fair
criticism in regard to their course on
public measures, but l do not concede
the right ofany man, whether he comes
from Massachusetts, or from Richmond,
in the absence Of all evidence on the
subject, to assail my personal motives
or to charge that my course i'll respect
to this matter has been controlled by
improper personal considerations.
For myself pronounce the allega-
ton that was opposed to the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Cleveland on personal
grounds not only Us absolutely false,
but without even the color of truth.
had some inkling before that was
charged with being opposed to Mr..
Cleveland on personal grounds,
but this is the first occasion where the
charge has been directly made in public,
and | take the opportunity now to nail
it to the counter as Il lie. My personal
relations with President Cleveland were
always courteous and respectful, if not
cordial. | never complained of any
action on his part in declining to give
appointments to my personal and po-
litical friends, and do not now remem-
Der that had any justification to do so.
l presume that on my recommendation
as much patronage WAS distributed as on
that of the average member of Congress
during Mr.. Cleveland's administration,
but l did not enter the Senate until
March, 1889, when his term as Presi-
dent had expired.
1t is true that differed with the pol
icy of the then administration i'll re-
tanning republicans in office and APP
pointing negroes from Il distance TO
public positions i'll the District of CO.
lumbia, but 50 FAR rs any personal feeling
against Mr. Cleveland connected with OF
growing out of the distribution of offices
is concerned, / disclaim it: My objcc-
ton to the present nomination of Mr..
Cleveland rs candidate for the presi-
dency rests, | trust, upon higher
grounds than mere personal considers
tions on my part.
The success of the democratic party
at the ensuing election is far more inn
portant to the country, and particularly
to the southern States. than the personal
fortunes of any individual. Mr.. Cleve-
land has enjoyed the highest honors OF
the country and Of his party in the
past, and his reelection would add no.
thing to his reputation or to the esteem
in which he is held by his countrymen.
After looking over the whole ground
with care | do not believe that Mr..
Cleveland can be elected if nominated,
and III this opinion ii is within bounds
to affirm that ninc-tenths ofthc demo
cratic members of Congress: in my de-
liberatc judgment, concur. The gene
raj impression of senators representing
democratic States likely to cast their
electoral votes for democrat i'll prcsi-
Dental election, and of whom | can
speak from better knowledge and asso-
citation, with very few exceptions, is to
the same effect.
Under such circumstances, to nomi-
nate Mr.. Cleveland, with the demo
cratic organization of his own State
against him and the people of New
York divided into hostile factions, in
nv Judgment would be a grievous and
fatal mistake. His views against the
free coinage of silver seem to be in con-
Aict with public sentiment in the agri-
cultural States, and from some cause
the labor vote of the country does not
appear to be friendly or inclined to his
election. 1t is exceedingly doubtful
whether the democratic party can elect
any such candidate who may be nomi-
mated ut its national convention for the
presidency. 1t is apparent Tint success
can only be obtained by the democratic
party with the exercise Of discretion
and harmony in its lines.
regard it as very unfortunate for
the democratic party i'll Virginia that
these personal issues should have been
raised inside the organization and that
these mugwump orators from Massa-
chusetts and New York should have
been brought to Richmond to tell our
people how to vote and what to do in Il
presidential nomination. should think
that the member from Massachusetts,
had his hands full in looking after his
own State, which in a presidential year
never fails to vote the republican tick
ct. He was elected in 1890 by Il scratch,
and. dollars to doughnuts Ito use his
own illustration), will be showed under
next time. He certainly might have
been more usefully employed than III
coming to Richmond to foment divi-
sions and to cause discussions in the
democratic ranks.
In conclusion, l beg to say that do
not see the reason OF propricty OF lug
.;,,1- N.Y. nnr,n into This continuously