The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-02

He Would Retire From Politics Rather
Than snub n Woman.

Memphis, Tenn, Sept. 10, 1892.
After the Communication by Governo,
buchanan, of Tennessee, Of the sentence
of Colonel III. Clay hing. condemned to
death for the murder Of David II. Pos
ton, the brother Of Kings victim, Frank
T.. Poston. addressed letter to Grover
Cleveland, strongly deprecatng the let
ter he had written to Kings niece. Mrs.
II. Is. White. Mr.. PostOn, courteous
throughout his letter, was plain and 10
the point. He said that Mr.. Cleveiand's
action was 'unwarranted and n blow at
good government" and would in all pro-
liability cost him some votes in Tennes-
see. IL certainly would among the MEM
bers Of the Poston family and its con-
nections. To this Mr.. Cleveland replied
as follows:
Gray Gables. Buzzards Bay Mass,
August 17.-Frank =. POst0n Esq: Ny
Dear Sir,-ln reply TO your letters Of
the 18th instant l beg you TO believe that
| am in no wise wanting in sympathy
for you or the family and friends of your
brother nor DO | forget that in the situa-
ton there is perfect excuse Tor cOnclu-
siOns arrived at without absolutely cool
judgment; but | address you IN the hope
that Notwithstanding all this you may
be able to take Il more reasonable view
of my conduct. / have been amazed be-
yOnd expression ut the misnterpretatlon
which has been placed upon my letter
written to Mrs. T. i. White. / cannot
conceive what there is in the minds Of
the people of your locality which leads
them TO give it a meaning entirely for
eign to nay intention and 50 entirely be-
yOnd its just Interpretation.
This is the first reply which | have
thought fit to make TO the frequent criD-
cism of my action in this matter. After
some hesitation | have determined 20 say
to you. on account of the sincerity and
courtesy Of your letter and your relations
to the tragedy, that ! am still utterly un-
able 20 account for the feelings which my
letter has OccasiOned.
Have you and others who are inclined
to crticisc my action for moment re-
hected upon the fact that my letter was
written in response to the pitlabIe plea OF
an apparently beirtbr0kcn woman. set
ting forth in manner most Impressive
the reasons why the life of her uncle
should be spared: Have you and ny
critics overlooked the fact that | ahso-
mtely declined to interfere with the Gov
ernor in behalf of this man! Have you
and they forgotten the courtesy and con-
sideratiOn which gentlemen iu the North,
as well as In the South. consider due TO
the appeal of wcmant Has 1t entirely
escaped attention that the letter was de
tated simply and solely by the sympathy
which every true man ought to feel Tor
q woman in distress!
| do not overlook the fact that in the
closing paragraph of the letter l did say
felt there might Ice eNtcnunuus cir
cumstances This was written n con-
lection with thu plain statement of my
letter. absolut, ly forcing the meaning i'm
pry ones mind who saw it that my idea
concerning exclamation was derived from
the letter TO which responded.
| should not be frank with you n dld
not add that. so far rs my meaning ANA
intent were concerned, | DO not ina the
least regret my action. In response 10
ycnr suggestion that this act OF mine
may result i'm the loss of Democr3ilc votes
in the pending campaign, you VIII par
don me. | nope. if / say that Wien p'-
ltical exrcdieEcy forces mr. go he d's''Nr-
tecns to q distressed woman, 1 am pre-
pared to retire from politics.
Yours very truly
GaoyEE CLEVELAND.