Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-03-18
GROVER CLEVELAND.

GROVER CLEVELAND.
FOND DU LAC, March 14.-Gen. E. S.
Bragg has given out the following cores
pondence, which plainly indicates that
Grover Cleveland is willing to again be
the democratic candidate for president:
"FOND DU Lac, Wis, March 5, 1892
Hon, Grover Cleveland, New York--Slr.
But a few months since the promise of
democratic success in the coming national
election, with the resulting deiverance
from excessive taxation and the more
Ubiquitous tributes to favored classes,
which our tariff laws inhicts on the PEG
pie was bright and cheering
In every quarter you were looked to as
one who by your former official conduct,
your abilities, character and courage
stood foremost as the embodiment and
expression of the popular cause and the
popular hope and upon you an almost
universal expectation was fixed as the
proper representative and leader of the
cause and the party, But recently distrac,
ton has distressed our counSelS and cast a
cloud over the prospect. In some part
Lonributory to this have been reiter-
ated reports that you would not stand
for the presidential nomination, and IA want
of the concert and organization requisite
to give form to the popular purpose.
Friends of your candidacy have found
themselves on different sides of minor 1ues
lions where their cooperation should have
boen expected with benefit. | need
not suggest to you that the polit.
ical action OF great people can only
be wisely directed by means OF inteili-
gent and trustworthy leadership, or
gaUiz ttion, concentration and continuity
of effort, with distinct ends in view not
less than clear principles Your reserve
has been In worthy keeping with your
high station in the public regard, your
distinguished public service and your
personal dignity. But the danger to the
public interests which a failure Of the
democratic party would involve, seems to
me now to require the open avow-
al of your Willingness to submit to
any service to which your party aud tn
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. | belIev3
your usefulness to the nation may be
greater now than ever In the
past, to carry t. victory the cause of
tai if reform, and to restore the bless
ings of good government of our people;
and as your fellow democrat and fell
low citizen | ask you to say to your party
and the people that your name may be
presented to the national democratic con
Vention as candidate for its nomination
to the presidency, and that you will &C.
cept that nomination Is the convention
shall make it, and again undertake the
duties of president If the people shall, as
| believe they will, choose you for that
office. Sincerely yours,
(Signed.) EwD. S. BRAGG.
LAKEWOOD. n. Y, March g. 1892
Hon. Edward s. Bragg-My Dear Sir
Your letter of the 5th inst. is received.
have thought until now, that might con-
tlnue silent on the subjects which, under
the high sanction Of your position as my
fellow democrat and fellow citizen, and
in your relation as Il true and trusted
friend, you present to me.
If in answering your question | migat
only consider my personal desires and my
individual ease and comfort, my resronor
would be promptly made, and without the
least reservation or difficulty. But if you
are right in supposing that the subject Is
related to duty l owe to the
country and to my party, e
candition exists which make such
private and personal considerations en-
tirely Irrelevant. | cannot, however, re-
frain from declaring to you that my ex
perience in the great Office of president OF
the United States has so impressed me
with the Solemnity of the trust and its
awful responsibilities that cannot bring
myself to regard a candidacy for the place
as something to be won by personal strife
and active self-assertion.
have also an idea that the presidency
is pre-emineptly the peoples office; and
have been sincere IN my constant ad
vocacy of the effective participation In
political affairs on the part of all our citi
zens, consequently | 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 par !
organizations and methods.
| speak of these things solely for the
purpose Of advising you that my concep-
ton Of the nature of the presidential Of
fee, and my conviction that the voters OF
our party should be free in the selection Of
their candidates, preclude the possibility
Of my leading and pushing self-seeking
canvass for the presidential nomination,
even if / had desire to be again candi
date.
Believing that the complete supremac~
of democratic principles means increased
national prosperity and the increased hap
piness of our people, am earnestly anx-
ious TOR the success Of my party l
am confident success is still within
our reach, but l believe this is ?
time for democratic thoughfulness ard
elaboration, not only as to candidatf S
but concerning party action, upon ques
tions of immense interest TO the patriotic
and intelligent voters of the land, VIII"
watch for an assurance of safety as tne
price of their confidence and support.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND