Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-09-20
POLITICS VERSUS COURTESY.
Mr.. Cleveland win Not Sacrifice His Man
hood IN .Exnediency"

hood to "Expediepcy."
After the Communication by Governor
Buchanan of the sentence of Colonel h.
Clay King, condemned to death for the
murder of David III. Poston. says Men,
phis telegram, the brother of Kings vic
tim, Frank p. Poston, addressed letter 70
Grover Cleveland strongly deprecating the
letter he had written to Kings niece, Mrs.
Il. X. White Mr.. Poston, courteous
throughout his letter. was PLAIN aud to the
point. He said that Mr.. Cleveland's action
was unwarranted and blow at good
government aud would in oil probabili-
ty cost him some votes in Tennessee. lt
certainly would among the members OF the
Poston family and its connections.
To this Mr.. Cleveland replied as follows :
GRAY GABLES,
BUzzARD's BAY, MASS, August 17th.(
Frank r. Postoh, Esq:
My Dear Slr,-In reply TO your letter OF the
18th Instant beg you to believe that am In no
wise wanting In sympathy for you or the family
aud friends OF your brother, nor do i forget that
in the situation there II n perfect excuse Tor
conclusions arrived at without absolutely cool
Judgment; but | address you IN the hope that
MOI withstanding all this you moy be able 70 take
q more reasonable view OF my conduct. | have
been amazed beyond expression at the mislnter-
probation which has been placed upon my letter
written TO Mrs +. K. White. l cannot conceive
what there Is in the minds Of the people OF your
locality which leads them TO give II a meaning
30 entirely foreign to my intention and 80 entirely
beyond lts just Interpretation.
Tbs Is the 6rst reply which have thought ut
to make to the frequent criticism OF my action
10 this matter. After rome hesitation have
determined 20 say 20 you, on account OF the sin
csrity ana courtesy 0f Jour feuef ana your reiA-
tions 70 the tragedy, that am still utterly una
be TO account Tor the feelings which my letter
has occaslOned.
Have you and others who are inclined to
criticise my action for moment reflected upon
the fact that my letter was written In response
to the pitable plea OF an apparently heart
broken woman, Getting forth in q manner most
impressive the reasons why the lie OF her uncle
should be spared? Have you and my critics
overlooked the fact that absolutely declined 10
interfere with the Governor in behalf OF this
mann Have you and they forgotten the
courtesy and consideration which gentlemen In
tho North, as well as in the South, consider due
70 the appeal OF woman? Has it entirely
escaped attention that the letter was dictated
simply and solely by the sympathy which every
true man ought 20 feel for q woman IN distress
do not overlook the fact that In the closing
paragraph OF the letter did say felt there
might be extenuating circumstances This was
written In connection with the plan statement
Of my letter, absolutely forcing the meaning in
any oEes mind who saw IL that my idea con-
corning oxtenuation was derived from the letter
to which responded.
/ should not be frank with you u did not add
that, so far as my meaning and intent we're con-
cerned. | do not In the least regret my action.
In response 20 your suggestion that this act OF
mine may result in the loss OF Democratic votes
In the pending campaign, you will pardon me, l
hope, IL | say that whom political exDediency
forces me TO bo discOurteous 20 a distressed
woman | am prepared 10 retire from politics.
Very truly yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND.