Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-11
SENATOR BARBOUR.
HE EXPRESSES HIMSELF WITH RE-
sPeCT TO Mr.. WILLIAMS.
He Also Define. His Attitude as Regards
the Cleveland ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Present Democratic Situation.


To he E,ia0r OF ne Dispdfcn
Although temporarily absent at the time
have since read with regret the proceed
ings Of the Cleveland Club OF Richmond
on the evening of Thursday last. at which
one Of the orators OF tho occasion, Mr. VII
Hams, n member OF Congress from the state Oh
Massachusetts. went out OF his way to inpugh
the motives OF the senators OF virginia ana 70
charge that their opposition 10 the nomination
Of Mr.. Cleveland for the presidency grew olt OF
their failure 10 be allowed TO run the Offices
during his administration, and TINS ungentle-
manly ana low-nung imputation is stated by the
Tines 10 have been received by tne huu'ohoo
with "vociierOus applause.
was not 20 much surprised that the germ OF
this mean insnnaticn should nave emahatel
from such a source. but WAS 10th % believe that
IL go1id have found approval and congenial son
in any meeting Of Virginia Democrats, ana espe-
cially In a meeting he'd at tho capital OF Ihe
sta-e.
am quite willing TO admit that public men
properly subject TO fair criticism IN regt ara 20
their course on public measures, but 90 not
conceie the right Of any man, whether ne comes
from Massachusetts, or from Richmond, IN the
absence Of all evidence on the subject, 10 sssail
nv personal motives or 10 charge that my course
I'm respect TO this matter has been controlled by
| improper personal considerations.
For myself pronounce the allegation that /
was opposed % the nomination Of Mr.. Cleveland
on personal grounds not only as absolutely false.
| bat Without even the color OF truth. had some
| ihkling before that was charged with being op-
posed 20 Sir. Cleveland on personal grounds, Dut
| thIs II the first occasion whore the charge has
bsen directly made In public, and taAe the op-
| pOrtunity now t0 nail 1t 10 the counter as lie.
| ay personal relations with President Cleveland
were always courteous and respectful, II not cor
dial. Ineyer comp 81 Of any action on his part
| ~ declining 10 give appointments 10 my personal
| and political friends, and do not now remember
| that hal any Justification 10 DO so. presume
that on my recommendation as much patronage
| Was distributed as on that ot the average meln-
| bfr Of Congress during Mr.. Clevelands admins
| tratiOn, but / did not enter the Senate untll
! March. 1889, when his term as President had
| expired.
| It is true that differed with the policy Of the
| then administration in retaining Republicans 10
| olice and appointing negroes from distance 70
| public positions in the District OF Columbia, but
| - far as any personal feeling against Mr. Cleye
| lan0 connected with or growing out OF the distri'
| button of Offices 10 concerned j disclaim II. Ny
! objection to the present nomination OF Mr.
| Cleveland as n candidate for the presidency
| rests, | trust, upon higher grounds than mere
| personal considerations on my part
| The success OF the Democratic party at the en-
suing election IL far more important TO the coun
| Try, and particularly 10 the southern states
than the personal fortunes OF any individual
| Sir. Cleveland has enjoyed the highest honors OF
the country and Of his party in tho past, and hi'
| reelection would add nothing 70 bis reputation
OF 10 tNe esteem III WHICH ut u, Lftu ulo NyAiA
| trymen. After looking over the whole groun'
| with care do not believe that Mr.. Cleveland cal
he elected II nominated, and In this opinion II /.
| within bounds 10 affirm that nine tontbs OF th'
| Democratic members Of Congress, In my delib
| crate Judgment, concur. The general impres
| on of senators representing Democratic state
| likely TO cast their electoral votes Tor Demo
| crat In n presidential election. ana of whom
| can speak from better knOsledge ana nssOcia
ton, with very few exceptions, is to the SAM
| eject.
Under such circumstances, to nominate Mr
| Cleveland, with the Democratic organization o
his own state against him and the people o
| New YORK divided into hostile factions, in m
| Judgment, would be a greyous and fatal mis-
take. His views against the Tree coinage OF sl
| yer seem 20 be in conflict with pubic sentlmeh
| in the agricultural States, and from some caus
| the labor vote OF the country does not appear Z
be friendly or inclined to his eloction. IL Is ex
| ceedingly doubtful whether the DemOcrhtl
| party can elect any candidate who may b
| nominated at its national convention for IA
| presidency. IL Is apparent that success ca
only be attained by the Democratic party wiz
the exercise OF discretion and harmony In II
lines.
/ regard Il "a very unfortunate for the Demo
| cratic party IN Virginia that these persona
| issues should have been raised inside tho oi
sanization and that these MugTump orator
| from Massachusetts and New York should nav
| been brought 10 Richmond 10 tell our peOpl
how 70 vote and what To 10 in Drc-ldentla
nomination. | should think mat mo neuOe
| from NassaChusetts had Ills han4s lull III lovn
ing after his own State. which IN a presldentli
wear never fails 20 vote the Republican ticke
| lie was elected in 1890 by a scratch, aud dollar
I 10 douctnufs TO use his own illustrafion) WI
be showed under next time. Ho certainl
might have been more usefully employed tina
| in coming 20 Richmond 10 fOment divisions an
10 cause dissensOns In the Democratic ranks
In conclusion, beg TO Say that DO not 10
the reason or propriety Of Juggling my name ln'
this controversy. ! have not taken any acti'
part in the endeayor 10 create or influence pul
tic sentiment in Virginia In favor ot any cand
date for the presidency. ,
While have opposed TO personal friends) VI
Cleveland's nomination on the ground OF nOi
availability, am not committed 10 the person.
fortunes OF any candidate. have not eApres-e
any desire 10 be sent by the state convention
! a delegate TO Chicago, and am not IN any props
sense a candidate fO- the position.
| / certainly would not accept the appointmei
II required TO appear there IN the hYery oi al
| presidential aspirant.
have written the above IN the temporal
absence of my colleague, Mr.. Daniel, who Is iul
| able % take care OF himself aud tO yindicate Il
own course from improper and malicious assaul
Very respectfully yours, J0HS ;. BARBOUR.