Barton County democrat., 1892-03-24
oCLEVELAND'S LETTER.
The Ex-President Replies to Let
ter From Gen. Bragg.
HE VIII rot Seek the Presidential Nomi-
nation-voters should Be Free to
Express Their Choice-What
Democratic Suprem-
acy Means.

MILWAUKEE, Wis, March 15.-Gen
Edward S. Bragg, author of the famous
phrase, ''we love him for the enemies
&he has made" has been urging ex-
President Cleveland to make a public
.avowal of his position in connection
with the approaching democratic presi-
dental convention. Under date of
March 5th, he wrote letter to Mr..
Cleveland from Fon du Lac, containing
the following paragraph:
1.-The danger TO the public interests which a
failure OF the democratic party would involve,
: seems TO me now to require the open avowal of
your Willingness to- submit to any service to
which your party and the people may assign
you. Many entertain fear that you may decline
further public duty which none but you can
effectually remove and your voice will be
9 everywhere heard with benefit and effect.
believe your usefulness 10 the nation
may De greater now than ever in the past to
carry to victory the cause OF tariff reform
and TO restore the blessings of good govern
mont to our people; and as your fellow demo-
scrat and fellow citizen, ask you to say to your
= party and the people that your name may be
presented TO the national democratic conven-
ton as a candidate for its nomination to the
presidency and that you will accept the nom
-ination, If the convention shall make it, and
again undertake the duties of president II the
people shall, as believe they will choose you
for that Office. Sincerely yours,
EDWARD S. BRAGG.
MR. CLEvELANDs REPLY.
The ex-president writes as follows:
Hon Edward s. Bragg:
LAKEWOOD, n. J., March o, 1s92.-My Dear
Sir: Your letter of the 5th inst is received.
Shave thought until now that I night continue
: silent on the subjects which, under the high
sanction OF your position my "fellow demo-
= crat and fellow citizen" and in your relation
as a true and trusted friend, you present
to ms. If in answering your questions 1
z might only consider my personal desires and
my individual ease and comfort, my response
would be promptly made and without
- the least reservation or difficulty. But If
you right in supposing that the subject is
Lrelated to q duty owe to the country and to
my party condition exists which makes such
private and. personal considerations entirely
irrelevant cannot, howevec, refrain from de-
= claring 10 you that my experience in the great
. Office Of the president of the United States has
: so impressed me with the Solemnfty of the
trust and its awful responsibilities that can
not bring myself to regard a 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-
= eminently the peoples Office, and I have been
: sincere in my constant advocacy OF the effective
participation in political affairs the part Of
= all our citizens. Consequently believe the
people should be heard in the choice OF thet-
party candidates and that they themselves
: should make nominations as directly as is con-
sistent with open. fair and full party organiza-
tion and methods
speak of these things solely for the purpose
. OF advising you that my conception OF the ma
ture Of the presidential Office and my convic-
tion that the voters of our party should be free
in the selection OF their candidates precludes
the possibility of my leading and pushing q self
seeking canvass for the presidential nomina-
ton, even If had a desire to be again candi-
/. date.
Believing that the complete supremacy of
r democratic principles means increased happi-
ness to our people am earnestly anxious for
the success of the party. 1 AM confident sue
cessis still within reach, but tGbelieve this is
time for democratic thocghtfulness and delib-
"a Grafton, not only to candidates, but concern
ing party action upon questions Of immense in
terest 10 the patriotic and intelligent voters of
the land who watch for assurance of safety
as the price OF their confidence and support.
Yours very truly, GROVER CLEvELAND.