Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-19
CLEVELAND EXPLAINS HIMSELF.
He Tells Why He Wrote a Letter of Syn
pathy to Clay Kings Niece.

He Tells Why He Wrote a Letter of Sym
pathy to Clay Kings Niece.
MEMPHIS, Sept. 1s-After.the Communication
by Governor Buchanan Of the sentence OF
Colonel 81. Clay King, condemned to death
for the murder of David H. Poston, the
brother of Kings victim, Frank P. Poston ,ad.
dressed letter to Grover Cleveland strongly
deprecating the letter he had written to
Kings niece, Mrs, E. Z. White. Mr.. Poston
courteous throughout his letter, was plain
and to the point. He said that Mr.. Cleve
lands action was "unwarranted and blow
at good government" and would in all prob
ability cost him some votes in Tennessee; IL
certainly would among the Poston family
and its connections. To this Mr.. Cleveland
replied as follows:
GRAY GABLES,
BUzzARD's BAY. MASS, Aug II. !
Frank P. Poston, ESQ.,:
inst, I beg you to believe that 1 am in no wise
wanting In sympathy tor you or the family and
friends OF your orotheF nor 90 i9Tget G dnaf IN the
arrived at without absolutely cool judgment, but
address you in the hope that Notwithstanding al
this, you may be able to take more reasonable
view of my conduct. l have been amazed beyond
expression at the misnterpretation which has been
placed upon my letter written to Mrs. E. K. White.
cannot conceive what there is in the minds of the
people of your locality which leads them to give it
meaning so enfTey ,el Iorfgs 70 my ana SO
e. This is the first reply which have thought fit to
make to the frequent criticism of my action in this
matter. After some hesitation have determined
to say to you, account of the sincerity and
courtesy of your letter and your relations TO the
tragedy. that l still utterly unable to
account for the feelings which my letter
has occasioned. Have you and others who are
inclined to cIiticise my action for a moment re-
fected upon the fact that my letter written in
response to the pitiable plea of an apparently
heart-Droken woman, setting forth in manner
most impressive the reasons why the life OF her
uncle should be spared? Have you and my critics
overlooked the fact that 1 absolutely declined
to interfere with the Governor in behalf of
this man? Have You and they forgotten the cour-
tesy and consideration which gentlemen in the
North as well in the South consider due to the
appeal of woman? Has it entirely escaped atten-
tion that the letter dictated simply and solely
by the sympathy which every true man ought 10
feel for a woman in dis ress?
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 plain statement of my letter
absolutely forcing the meaning in any ones
mind who saw it that my idea con-
cerning extenuation was derived from the
letter TO which / responded / should not be
frank with you If did not add that, so far as my
meaning and intent were concerned. do not in the
least regret my action. In response to your sug-
gestion that this act of mine may result in the loss
of Democratic votes in the pending cam paign. you
will pardon me, hope, if say that when political
expediency forces me TO be discourteous to a dis
tressed woman l am prepared to retire from
politics. Very truly yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND.