The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-15
BARKIS is WILLIN G.
Cleveland Enters the Field for the
Nomination. ,
OUT AGAINST GOV. HILL.
He Writes to Gen. Bragg and Says IL Is
Not Theory which Confronts Him,
but n Conditional BID for support
and an Attack on Hill.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, March 15.-Gen.
Edward 3. Bragg, author OF the famous
phrase, ave love him for the enemies he
Cleveland to make public an avowal Of
his position in connection with the ap-
preaching Democratic Presidential con-
vention. Under date of March 8, he wrote
a letter TO Cleyeland from Fond du Lac
containing the following paragraph:
The danger TO the public interests which a
failure OF the Democratic party would involve
seems to me now to require the open ayowal
OF your willingness to submit TO any service TO
which your party may assign you Many en-
terrain fears that you may decline further
public duty, which none but you can effect
ually remove, and your voice Will be every
where 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 re-
store the blessings OF good government TO our
people; and as your fellow-Democrat and
ellow-citizens, ask you to say to. your party
sen,ed % Natona q @ CO
tion as a candidate for rs nomination TO the
Presidency, and that you will accept that
and again undertake the duties of Preside mt
IL the party shall as / believe they Will,
choose you Tor that office,
The ex-President replied as follows:
Lakewood, n. j., March Q, 1892.
Hon. EDWARD ). BRIGGs;-
MY Dear Sir:--Your letter OF the 5th inst. is
received, i have thought until now that l
might continue silent on the subjects which,
under the high sanction OF your position as
my fellow Democrat and fellow citizen and In
your relation as true and trusted friend, you
present to me. IL in answering your ques-
tions, might only consider my personal du-
ties and my individual ease and comfort, my
response would de promptly made and with
out the least reservation or difficulty.
But II you are right in supposing that the
subiec. is related TO duty owe to the coun-
try ard to my party, condition exists which
makes such personal and private considera-
tions entirely irrevelant, cannot, however,
refrain from declaring TO you that my expert
ence in the great Office of President of the
United States has so impressed me with the
solemnity of the trust and its awful response
bilities that | cannot bring myself to regard a
candidacy for the place as something TO be
won by personal strife and active self-asser-
ton.
/ have also an idea that the Presidency is
prominently the peoples Office and l have
been sincere in my constant advocacy OF enec-
tive participation in political affairs on the
part of all our citizens. Consequently, / be-
Heve the people should be heard in the choice
of their party candidates and that they them
selves should make nominations directly as
is consistent with open fair and full party or
ganiZation and methods.
/ speak OF these things solely for the pur-
pose OF advising you that my % oeheePt,66h n6 ,y OF
conviction that the voters OF our party should
be free in the selection of their candidates,
preclude the possibility OF my leading and
pushing a self-see king canvass for the presi-
Dental nomination, even II had desire 10
be again a candidate.
Believing that the complete supremacy OF
Democratic principles means increased ma
tional prosperity and the increased happiness
of our people, am earnestly anxious for the
success of the party. / am confident success
is still within our reach, but believe this Is
q time for Democratic thoughtfulness and de-
liberation, not only as TO candidates but con
cerning party action upon questions OF inn
mense intereNA TO the patriotic and intelligent
voters of the Mnd, who watch for an assurance
OF safety as the price OF their confidence and
support.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.