Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-03-18
THE POLITICAL FIELD.
LETTER FROM EX-PRESIDENT
CLEVELAND.

General Edward S. Bragg of Wisconsin,
author of the famous phrase, eve love him
for the enemies he has made" has been urg-
ing cX-President Cleveland to make public
an ayOWal of his position in connection with
the approaching Democratic Presidential Con-
vention. Under date of March 5, he wrote a
letter to Mir. Cleveland from Fond du Lac,
containing the following paragraph: The
danger to the public interests, which failure
of the Democratic party would involve, seems
to me now to require the ayowal Of your
Willingness to submit to any service to which
YOUR party may assign you" In reply MI.
Cleveland writes:
LAKEWOOD, n. j, March 9, 1S92.-Hon.
Edward S. Bragg-Dear sir: Your letter Of
The 9Th instant is received. | have thought
until now that | might continue silent on the
subjects which, under the high sanction of
your position as my acknowledgements and
felloW-citi2en, and in your relation as a
true and trusted friend, you present to me.
If i'll answering your questions, might only
consider my personal desires and my individ-
uaI ease and comfort, my response would be
promptly made. and without the least reser-
walton OF difficulty.
Personal DESIRES TO BE IGNORED.
But II you are right in supposing that the
subject is related to duty owe to the coun-
try and to nay party, condition exists which
makes such private and personal cOnSldera-
ton entirely Irrelevant. / cannot, however,
refrain from declaring to you that my eXpe-
rience in the great Office of President of the
United States has so impressed NE With the
solemnity of the trust and its awful reSpOn-
sibilities that l cannot bring myself to regard
a candidacy for the place as something to be
won by personal strife and active self
assertion.
THE PRESIDENCY THE PEOPLES OFFICE.
have also an idea that the Presidency is
prominently the peoples office and | have
been sincere in my constant advocacy of the
effective participation In political affairs ON
t he part of all our citizens. Consequently l
believe the people should be heard in the
choice of their party candidates and that they
themselves should make nominations as d.
rectly as is consistent with open, fair and
full party organization ana methods.
| SPEAK of these things solely for the pur-
nose of advising YOU that my conception OF
the nature of the Presidential office and my
conviction that the voters OF our party should
be free in the selection OF their candidates,
precludes the possibility OF my iead 1 an, ana
Dental nomination. even il l had desire to
he again candidate.
TINE FOR TEoUGHTFULNEss.
Believing that the complete supremacy OF
Democratic principles means increased ma
tional prosperity and the increased happiness
of our people, am earnestly ANXIOUS 1or The
snccess of the party-I am confident success
il still within our reach, bat believe this is a
fine for Democratic thoughtfulness and de-
liberation not only as to Candidates, but CON
corning party action upon questions OF i'm
mense interest to the patriotic and intelligent
Voters of the land, who watch for assurance
Of ca fety as the price of their confidence and
S,,nno,t Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The action of the New York State Conyen-