The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-21
POLITICS VERSUS COURTESY.
Mr.. Cleveland viii Not Sacrifice His
Manhood to "Expediency."
From the New York Times


Manhood to "ExpediencY."
From the New Yors Times.
MEMPHIS, TENN, Sept. ls.-After the
Communication by Gov. Buchanan of the
sentence Of Col. H. Clay King, condemned
to death for the murder of David Fl.
Poston, the brother Of Kings victlua, Frank
P. Poston, addressed letter 10 Grover
Cleveland, strongly deprecaeing the letter
he had written TO Kings niece, Mrs. e. K
White Mr.. Poston, courteous throughous
his letter, was plain and to the point. He
said that Mr.. Clevelands action was "un-
warranted and q blow at good govern
ment," and In all probability would cost him
some votes In Tennessee. 1t certainly
would among the members of the Poston
family and its connections.
10 CHS Mr.. Cleveland replied as follows
GRAY GABLES,
BUzzARD's BAY, MASS, Aug. H.
Frank p Poston, Esq:
MY DEAR SIR--In reply to your latter of tho
18th inst. beg you to believe that | am In no
wise wanting in sympathy for you or the fam
ilv and friends of your brother, nor do forget
that in the situation there is perfect excuse FOR
conclusions arrived at without absolutely cool
judgment; but address you in the hope that
notwithstanding all this you may be able 60
take more reasonable view of my conduct. I
have been amazed beyond expression at the
misinterpretation which has been placed upon
my letter written TO Mrs; <. K. White. can
not conceive what there is in the minds Of the
people of your locality which leads them TO
give It a meaning so entirely foreign TO nv In
tention and 30 entirely beyond its Just inter
probation.
This is the first reply which have thought fit
to make to the frequent criticism of nv action
In this matter. After some hesitation l have de-
termined to say to you, on account of the sin
certify and courtesy of your letter and your re-
lations TO the tragedy, that I am still utterly
unable to account for the feelings which my let
ter has Occasioned.
Have you and others who are inclined to criti-
else my action for moment reflected upon the
fact that my letter was written in response to
the piGiable plea of an apparently heart broken
woman, setting forth in q manner most impress
sive the reasons why tue life Of her uncle should
be spared? Have you and my critics overlooked
the TACT that absolutely declined to interfere
with the governor in behalf of this man? Have
you and they forgotten the courtesy and consid-
Grafton which gentlemen in the north as well as
in the south consider due to the appeal of a
womanf Has it entirely escaped attention that
the letter was dictated simply and solely by the
sympathy which every true man ought to feel
for woman in distress2
1 do not overlook the fact that in the closing
paragraph OF the letter / did say felt there
might be eXtenuatng circumstances. This was
written IN connection with the plain statement
of my letter, absolutely forcing the meaning in
any ones mind who saw It that my idea con-
corning extenuation was derived from the letter
to which responded.
l should not be frank with you il did not add
that, so fer as my meaning and intent were CON
cerned, 40 not in the least regret my action
In response to your suggestion that this act OF
mine may result in the loss of democratic votes
in the pending campaign you will pardon me,
hope, II | say that when political expediency
forces me to be discourteous TO distressed
woman l am prepared 70 retire from politics,
Very truly yours, GRovER CLEVELAND.