Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-03-17
CLEVELAND.
Letter Addressed to Gen. Il q
Bragg Made Public.
WILL NOT SEEK A NOMINATION.
The Voters Of the Party should 10 Free In
the selection Of Their candidates
ThouEhtfuine. and DELHI
Grafton Needed.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, March 15.-Gen.
Edward s. Bragg, author OF the famous
phrase, I'VE love him for the enemies
he has made" has been urging ex-
President Cleveland 10 make public
avowsl OF his pos ton in connection
with the approaching democratic presi-
Dental convention. Under date Of
March 9th, he wrote n letter to Mr..
Cleveland from Fon du Lac, containing
the following par agraph:
THE danger to the public interests which q
failure Of the democratic party would involve,
seems TO me now to require the open ayowal OF
your willingness to submit 10 any service 10
which your party and the people may assign
you Many entertain fear that you may decline
further pubic duty which none but you can
enectnally remove and your voice will be
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 govern.
ment TO our people; and, as your fellow demo
crat and fellow citizen, 1 ask you 10 say TO your
party and the people that your name may be
presented TO the national democratic convcn'
tion as n candidate for its nomination TO the
presidency and that you will accept the nom.
nation, II the convention shall mako II, and
again undertake the duties Of president n the
for that oiiicc. Sincerely yours,
EDWARD 8 BRAGG
MR. CLEvELASD's REPLY.
The cx.president writes as follows;
Hon Edward s. Bragg
LAKEWOOD, ". j., March 0, iso2.-My Dear
Sir: Your letter OF the 18th inst In received. I
have thought until now that might continue
silent on the subjects which, under the high
sanction Of your position as my fellow demo
nd fnt1 ID lgaF nj In, Na1a
~ q true and trusted friend, you present
20 mo. II In answering your questions I
might only consider my personal desires and
my individual ease and comfort, my response
would he promptly made and without
the least reservation or difficulty. But n
you are right in supposing that the subject is
related TO duty owe TO the country and to
my party. n condition exists which makes such
private and personal cons derations entirely
irrelevant i cannot, however, refrain from de.
clnring to you that my experience In the great
once Of the president OF the United States has
90 impressed me with the solomnity Of the
trust and its awful responsibilities that can.
not bring myself TO regard candidacy for the
place as something to be won by personal strife
and active self assertion.
have also an idea that the presidency Is pre-
emnently the peoples oticc, and have been
sincere in my constant advocacy OF the effective
participation in political Affairs on the part Of
all our citizens. Consequently I believe tho
people should be heard In the choice OF theil
party candidates and that they thomsclvc,
should make nominations as directly as is con
Bistent with open, fair and fun party organiza
ton and me thOds.
speak OF these things solely for the purpos,
Of advising you that my conception Of the no
ture Of the presidential ofiice and my convic
tion that the voters OF our party should be free
In the selection Of their candidates precludel
the possibility OF my leading and pushing sci
seeking canvass for the presidential nomina
ton, even II had desire to be again o candi
date.
Believing that tho complete supremacy o
democratic principles means increased happi
ness 10 our people I am earnestly anxious 70
the success Of the party am confident sue
cess IL sim within our reach but believe this 4
time for democratic thoughtfulncss and dolit
Grafton, not onl ~ TO candid Ites, but concern
Ing party action upon questions Of immense Ia
tercst to the patriotic and intelligent voters o
the land who watch for an assurance OF safet,
ns the price Of their confidence and support
Yours very truly, GROVER CLEvELAND