Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-15
CLEvELAND's PRoNUNcrAMESro.
He Says the People should MAKO the Mont
|. Dationa.

CLEvELAND's PRoNUNCIAMENro.
He Says the People should MAKO the Nomi-
The Milwaukee Daily Journal yesterday pub
iisned letter from ex-Presideut Cleveland
which removes all ioubt that he will be can
didate before the Chicago convention. Mr..
cleveland writes in response to q letter from
Gen. Edward s. Bragg of WISCONSIN. author
OF the famous phase I'VE love him for the
enemies he has made"
Following is full text Of the correspond
ence:
FoS DU LAC, Wis, March 8, 1892
HON. Grover Cleveland New York.
Sir: But Few months since the promise oil
demoeratic success in the coming national
eleeuon, with the resulting deliversnce from
excessive taxation and the more ubiquitous
tributes TO favored classes. which our tariff
laws inh'ct upon the people, vas bright and
cheering. In every quarter you were looked
TO as one who, by your former official conduct,
your aoiities, character and courage, stood
foremost as the embodiment and expression OF
the popular cause and the popular hope: upon
you an almost universal expectation was fixed
as the proper representative leader of the
cause ana the party. But recently
distraction has distressed our counsela
and cast cloud over the pros
pect In some part contributory to this have
been reiterated reports that you would. NOT
stand for the presidential nomination, and q
want OF the concert and organization requisite
to give form to the popular purpose. Friends
OF your candidacy have found themselves on
different sides of minor questions where their
cooperation should have been expected with
benefit
need not suggest TO you that the political
action OF a great people can only be wisely di.
rected by means of intelligent and trustworthy
leadership, organization, concentration and
continuity of effort, with distinct ends in view
not less than clear principles.
Your reserve has been in worthy keeping
with your high station in the public regard
your distinguished public service and your per.
sonal dignity. But the danger to the public
interests which a failure Of the democratic
party would involve seems to me now to re.
quire the open avowal Of your willingness to
submit to any service to which your party and
the people may assign you. Many entertain
fears that you may decline further public duty
which none but yop can effectnaiiy remove
and your voice will Be everywhere heard with
benefit and effect. '---'..
l 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 blessing Of good government te
our people, and, as your fellow democrat snd
fellow citizen, l ask you to say to your party
and the people that your name may be pre-
sented to the national democratic convention
as o candidate for its nomination to the presi
dency. and that you will accept that nomina
ton If the convention shall make it, and again
undertake the duties of president if the people
shall, as believe they will, choose you for tina,
office. Sincerely yours, EDWARD s. BRAGG.
Mr.. Cleveland reply is as follows:
LAKEWOOD, N. j., March 9, 1892
Hon. Edward 5. Bragg.
Ny Dear Sir: Your letter of the 5th instant ID
received. 1 have thought until now that
rnht nnnt fhn /.
under the high sanction of your position al
my fellow democrat and fellow citizen" and
In your relation as a true and trusted friend
you present to me. II in answering your ques.
tions l might only consider my personal desires
and my individual ease and comfort, my re-
Spouse would be promptly made, and without
the least reservation or difficulty. But if you
are right in supposing that the subject is re-
lated to a duty owe to the country and to my
party, a condition exists which makes such pri
vate and personal considerations entirely irrel.
evant. cannot. however, refrain from declar.
ing to you that my experience in the great of.
fee of President of the United States has &c
impressed me with the solemnity of the trust
and its awful responsibilities that l cannot
bring myself to regard a candidacy for the
place as something to be won by personal strife
and active self-assertion.
i have also an idea that the presidency is pre-
eminently the peoples Office and 1 have been
sincere in my constant advocacy Of the effect
i've participation ir political affairs on the par,
OF all our citizens, consequently believe the peo
pie should be heard in the choice Of their party
candidates and that they themselves should
with open, fair and full party organization and
methods.
Ispeak OF these things solely for the purpose
Of advising You that my conception Of the ma
ture OF the presidential office6nd my convic
ton that the voters of our party should be free
in the selection OF their candidates. preclude
the possibility Of my leading and pushing
self-seeking canvass for the presidential nomi
nation, even If l had desire to be again a can
didate.
Believing that the supremacy Of democratic
principles means increased national prosperity
and the increased happiness Of GU,
people am earnestly anxious for the success.
of my party. am confident success is still
within our reach. but believe this is a time
for democratic thoughtfuness and delibera.
ton, not only as to candidates, but concerning
party action upon questions ofimmense Interest
to the patriotic and intelligent voters of the
land, who watch for an assurance Of safety al
the price Of their confidence aud support
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
MR.. CLEVELAND STANDS BY THE LETTER.
Ex-President Clevelan was seen at his Lake
wood cottage last night and informed of the
puOncatlon py zen. bragg OF MS letter re-
garding the next nominee Of the democratic
party tor the presidency. Mr.. Cleveland said
If Gen. Bragg has published any letter OF
mine 1t Is all right. / do not recollect JUS,
what wrote. but whatever / said in my lette,
stands"
Further than this the president would no,
talk. 1t is learned from an intimate friend OF
Mr.. Cleveland that a petition signed by be.
tween 800, 900 and 400. 900 voters will be pre-.
sented to the Chicago convention asking tina,
Mr.. Cleveland be recognized as the candidate
of New York state. -..-....-...
WHAT NEW YORK DEMOCRATS SAT-.
A number Of prominent democrats were in.
terviewed on the subject Of Mr.. Cleveland'f
candidacy.
Frederick B. Coudert president Of the Man.
haitian Club and a leading lawyer said: "Mr
Cleveland is undoubtedly themost popular man
in the United States today. At any gathering
at which he is present he is always first He is
a strong man; his views are known. He is a
clean man; his record speaks for itself. He is
a safe man, and has the confidence Of the bes,
men in his party. He stands an excellent
chance of obtaining the nomination, and il
nominated he will win"
''Can he carry New York state?''
'Yes. He will receive almost the entire demo-
cratic vote and also many republican votes. He
is strong in other states. 'and is, in my opinion
the most available man in the country today,
H. 4 r n