The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-03-18
CLEVELAND'S REPLY
To A QUESTION IN REGARD TO HIS
CANDIDACY.
The Presidential Nomination Must Come
Unsought, in Which Event He Would
Be Bound to Answer His Party's Call.

The Presidential Nomination Must Come
Unsought, in Which Event He Would
Be Bound to Answer His Party's Call
MILWAUKEE, March 15--General Ed
ward S. Bragg, author of the famous
phrase. Eve love him for the enemies he
has made" has been urging ex-President
Cleveland to make public an avowal of
his position in connection with the aD
preaching Democratic presidential con-
vention. Under the date of March he
wrote letter to Mr.. Cleveland from Fon
du Lac, containing the following para
graph:
The danger to the public interests, which a
failure of the Democratic party would involve,
seems to me now to r quire the open avowal ot
your willingness to submit TO any service to
which your party may assign you. Many en-
tertain fears that you may decline further pub
lie duty, which none but you can effcctually
remove, and your voice will lie 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;
ard as our fellow-Democrat and fellow-cit-
zen, ask you to say to your PARTY aid the
people that your name will be presented to the
national Democratic convention as a candi-
date for its nomination to the presidency, and
that you will accept that nomination If the
convention shall make it, and again under
take the duties of president if the party shall, +,
as | helieve they will, choose you for the Office
The ex-President's Reply.
LAKEwooD,N. j., March 9, 1892
Hon. Edward s. Bragg.
My DEAR SIR-Your letter of the 5th inst.
is received l have thought until now that l
might continue silent on the subjects which,
under the high sanction of your position as my
acknowledgements and fellow-Cit izen" and in
your re alton as true and trusted friend, you
present to me. If, in answering your ques-
tions, might only consider my personal de-
sires and my individual ease and comfort, my
response would be promptly made and with
out the least reservation or difficulty. But if
you are right in supposing that the subject is
related to duty that owe to the country and
to my party, a condition exists which makes
such private and personal considerations en-
tirely irrevelant. | can not, however, refrain
from declaring to you that my experience in
the great Office of President of the United
S ates has sotimpressel me with the sUemnity
of the trust and its awful responsibilities that
! can not bring myself to regard candidacy
for the place as something to be won by per-
sonal strife and active self-assertion.
! have also an idea that the presidency Is
the peoples office, and have
been sincere in my constant advocacy of eff
fective participation in political affairs on the
part of all our citize7s. Consequently, be-
ieve the people should be heard in the choice
Of their party candidates, and that they them
selves should make nominations as directly as
IS consistent with open, fair and full party Or
yaniZation and methods.
i speak of those things solely for the purpose
Of advising you that my conception of the ma |
ure of the presi lential Office and my convic- |
ion that the voters of our party should be |
free in the selection of their candidates pre-
,lude the possibility or my leading and push |
ne self-seeking canvass for the presidential |
nomination, even if had desire to be again |
candidate.
Believing that the complete supremacy of |
Democratic principles means increased ma |
ional prosperity and the Increased happiness |
# our people, am earnestly anxious for the |
uccC 8; of the party. l am confident success |
S still within our reach, but believe this is a |
ime for Democratic thoughtfulness and de-
Iteration, not only as to candidates, but con-
erning party action upon questions of i'm
nense interest to the patriotic and intelligent |
oters of the land, who watch for an assur-
nee Of safety as the price of their confidence
nd support. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.