The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-09-18
WHY MIR. CLEVELAND WROTE
HE ExPL4INS ms LE7TER REGARDING
cor. KINGS CONSTELLATION.

COI. hfNGS OgU ntJfIfON.
The Brother OF the Murdered Lawyer Pos.
ton " rotc Expressing Surprise rat the
Ex.Presidcnt'. Action In the Case, and
Geis IA Reply Telling Why lie Addressed
Itls Sympathetic Note TO Mrs. While.
NEMpHIs. Sept. 17.-whcn Gov. Buchanan
commuted the sentence Of Col. II. Clay King to
Imprisonment for life. 1t was said that the
lettor OF Grover Cleveland on the subject had
been OF great influence on tho Governors
mind. whereupon tho following correspond
shco cnsucd between Frank Z. ro,tun. the
brother Of tho mar whom King murdered. and
Mr.. Cleveland.
MEMPHIS. Tenn. Aug. 10. 1892.
H Gtor., G reIaHJ. En..r 81. E"a. Vas.
"DEAE SIR: | have read with much surprise
anil regret the reports In our papers that you
have intcrceded with Gov. Buchanan In boz
half OF II. Clay King, the condemned MUIR
deror Of my brother, David II. Posten.
whose sentence was recently m
] was SURPRISED that a man Of your usually
6rm character. who has so uniformly advo-
Gated die unfolding and prompt enforcement
OF the law, would or could be led astray by the
walls or entreaties OF q female relative Of the
convicted man asking for clcmency in
his behalf in the face of the sentence of
every court through which his case passed
and the overwhelming public sentiment.
not only here. but throughout the
country demanding his execution as n punish-
mont for his atroc.ous crime. l regret YOUR
action. because l have always been II Demo-
crat and have ever voted the straight ticket. rs
have M family since there was u
Democratic party. but. believing as l do.
Chat your action Sas unwarranted and n blow
at good government. and at a prninp enforce
ment of our local laws. ana. for tn. first time
In my life. decline to vote for the nominee of
the party on the national ticket. My family
connection is large. and they will pursue the
sAmo course.
kings crime was peculiarly cold blooded
and ntrocious. and committed after days 81
elaboration and in n manner nothing short OF
assassination. Tho courts have SO decreed.
bu. owing TO the influence of certain promi-
nent politicians. who know nothing OF tho facts
except as gained from the papers. our Governor
has been induced to cheat the gnl!ows OF its
iustdues and spare the assassin for more Of
his work. / do not write you in anger. but
simply to let you know that your course has
not met the approval OF this community. Yours
very truly. FRANK L. PosToS."
'GRAY GABLES. BuzzARp's BAY. Mass. Aug. 20.
l.d,k ?. re on. Eq
My DEAR SIR: In reply to your letter of Che
18th instant | beg you to believe that l am in
nowiso wantin. in sympathy for you. or
the family ami friends Of your brother:
nor do l forget that in this situation
cIasions arrived at without absolutely
cool judgment: but address you in the hope
that notwithstanding all this you mas be able
TO take II more reasonable view OF my
conduct. | have been amazed beyond
EXPRESSION at tue misinterprctation which
t. Mrs. i. X. White. i cannot comedy, what
there is IN the minds Of the, nrorlr of your
20 entlrely foreign To- my intention and So EN-.
tirelly heyon! it, lust INTERPRETATION.
"Th is the first reply which ! have thought
Iii to make to the frequent criticisms Of my
q ton in this matter. Alter some hesitation
lave determinSd to say 10 you. on account OF
y ur relations to the tragedy. that | nm still
M MfGaI p, nn i.,t., t" account Tor the feelings
Have You aud others who nre inclined to
~criticisc my action for n moment reflected
u!un the inri that my hotter was written in
response, TO the litinblc plea Of an apparently
1,cartbroken xoluan. %settin. forth in a. man
NET most imlrcssiyr the reasons why the life
q. her uncle should be spared
fact that ! absolutely declined to Interfere
with tie Governor in behalf II this man,
] ave you and they forgotten Tho courtesy and
I" nsiderat. OH which gentlemen. il the. North
a. well a.. III" south, consider due to the ap-
:" Has it c%n,ir,Iy ESCAPED !a,tcn'lon that tho
letter was Dictated simply and solely by sym
l.ihv. w~!i"li r'rr" true man usht to tee! for
u Woman IN distress:
e" Loo not ",o!iuok the fac; that in tie clos
ing lara rnl h al til" letter ! did say that I
let chat there riiGlt be cNtenUatins circum-
~t'tutes.
"Thi, Wa written in connection with tho
J. ain statement "t MY hotter. absolutely
i.rti ig the meaning III any ones mind who
h:.w it that my idea cunr"FrinG. "Ateuuation
was oe,i>cd tran t!o !ettr. 10 which | re-
Stranded.
II si"nId not lie frank with YOU il | did not
Il u t'nt. so TAR ~ my meaning ana intent |
We're concerned, | do no; in the Least regret
ny action.
In response to your suggestion that
this. act Of mine may result IN the loss
a. Etincc:at.c votes in the pending cam
J afan. you VIII Iardun me. hope. !
~. mat when political cNredjrncv forces mo
ln e discoul tuoLS Ia u distressed woman. |
m prepared to ro,iro from ~,u..tics. Very
truly yours. GROVER CLEVELAND"