Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-06
ISLANDER REFUTED.
TRUE STORY WHY MRS. CLEVELAND
plD NOT MEET WINNIE DAVIS.
Fitxhugh Lees Candid Statement OF
h Tacts-Mr. Clcveinnd's Apprccia-
ton of Mas Davis.
rspecsl telegram 70 the pi.patch.,

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. October 5.-There
has been q letter issued from here to
Texas in which it Is charged that Mr..
and Mrs. Cleveland. while guests of the
city Of Richmond, refused to attend a
swell reception gwen 10 meet Miss VIM
ME Davis" the daughter of President
Jefferson Davis. The letter SAYS: The
reason assigned by Mrs. Cleveland was
that IL was impolitic 20 meet Miss Davis"
It further goes on TO state that Fred.
Douglass and his white wife were
invited to three great receptions
at the White House during Cleveland's
administration, and that tho couple were
invited guests at Cleveland's wedding
reception. The letter was doubtless writ
ten for political effect, as the Third party
is making a strong fight in Texas, and it
was doubtless thought this story would
divert many votes from tho National De
mocratic ticket. In order to ascertain the
truth about the story In regard to Mrs.
Cleveland's refusing to meet Miss Davis a
Washington correspondent wrote to ex-
Governor Fitzbugh Lee about 1t and re-
ceived the following
EX-GOVERNOR LEES REPLY.
GLASGOW, VA, October 3. 1892.
dear Sir,-I was surprised to learn
from your communication OF the 2Sth or
September that the Third party Was dis
tributing a circular letter in Texas con-
tanning o statement that Mrs. Cleveland
had refused 20 meet Miss Winnie Davis at
a reception at the Governors house IN
Richmond when Mr.. Cleveland was Presi-
dent and / was Chief Executive Of Virginia,
and the subject had assumed Importance
because votes were being diverted from
the national Democratic ticket.
FROM FRONT TO REAR.
With the view of marching this matter
from the front 10 the rear ! reply 70 your
letter by saving that some SIX years ago
Mr.. Cleveland accepted an invitation OF
the State Agricultural Society OF virginia
through rs president. Mr.. Robert Beverley,
now a member of the third party 20 at
tend their annual fair. When ! was so
informed | at once by letter invited the
President, as well as the ladies and gentle
men of his party, TO be my guests at the
Governors Mansion.
WHY THEY DID NOT CONF.
Afterwards a note from Colonel Lamont,
the private secretary, informed me that in
consequence OF the President being
obliged to return at once from the falr-
Grounds to Washington on account OF
public business, the length OF the journey,
and the short stay IN Richmond would
prevent the ladies accompanying HIM. !
gave the subject no further consideration
except TO regret that u citizens were de-
prived of the opportunity 20 welcome a
LADY who had ever discharged the duties
Of her high and trying position with "a
tact that surpassed the tact OF her sex,
and an absence of arrogance only equalled
by the moderate estimate of her own
worth and Importance.
WISHED AN INTRODUCTION.
Az matter of fact, the President accom-
panied me to the Governors House"
On the way from the FAIRGROUNDS TO the
station be especially requested 70 be in
troduced 10 bliss DAVIS, who had been
Mrs. Lees guest for several weeks pTe-
vious. and found her, as everybody. does,
a most charming woman. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cleveland are not afraid OF Miss Winnie
Davis and Miss Davis Is not AFRAID OF
Thorn. Let us have peace"
Very truly yours, tITzHUGH Z