Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-05
VAN ALIEN DECLINES.
he WILL NOT Be UNCLE SANS AMeAs.
SAOOR TO ITALY.
Although Assured OF the Presidents Fer.
sonai Prefer ence. elf-Respect Com
pe,s Him to Withdraw.
The following correspondence was made
public Sunday by Mr.. ]. J. Van Alen'
NEWPORT, II. l., November 20, 1888.

The Hon. Walter ~. GeShdnl. Stelt'ai'
OF State:
slr--I have the honor TO acknowledge
receipt OF your letter OF the 18th OF Octo-
her, in which you officially notify me that
the President, by and with the advice
and consent OF the Senate has appointed
me Ambassador 10 Italy
Since the receipt of your letter J nave
given the matter my most serious and
careful attention, and as the result OF
my reflections have concluded TO ask
you TO express 20 the President my de-
cision not to accept the office rendered
me
| must beg that you will not infer from
this action any lack Of appreciation on
my part OF the honor conferred. On the
contrary. | fully comprehend the dlghl-
~, Importance, and responsibility OF
the position, and having this realiza-
ton. / may frankly add that the nominal
ton was extremely gratifying TO me-not
In personal sense merely but more par
tlcularly because OF the opportunity
afforded me Of representing my country
in such a manner 90 | hoped might be
satisfactory to the American people ana
credltable to the administration.
Among the comments upon my nomina-
ton which appeared in the public press
I
cause IL was true, but because IL was.
and ! suppose still u.s. believed by many
persons unfamiliar with the individuals
concerned and the facts essential 10 the
formation OF an accurate judgment. The
charge was that ! received the appoint
ment I'm return for contribution Of 5000
20 the Democratic national campaign
fund. While my nomination was pending
In the Senate, 1t did not seem fitting and
f.s.V.
explicit denial. | was aware that as an
interested party, my statement would have
little effect beyond the limits OF my per-
sOnal acquaintance. Now, however. when
my action cannot be fairly attributed to
purely selfish motives. IL seems TO me that
repetition of that denial which / make
without publication, should be sufficient
for any honorable man.
l have never denied. and do not now
deny, that / contributed TO the campaign
fund-not 5000, but yet considerable
sum OF money. Sincerely believing. as l
did. that a continuation of Republican
supremacy would be not only him
drance to national progress, but in time
a positive menace to the success Of pOpu-
lar government, and having large interests
at stake, l was impeiled by both patriotic
and selfish reasons 10 aid the Democratic
cause.
L did not do so until had made myself
familiar with the methods of the cam
paign, as conducted by the National
Democratic Committee. ] visited the
Democratic headquarters. and was aston
ished al the great work being done. An
expenditure. vast i'm proportions, was be-
ing made to bring home to the American
people the truths upon which ! believed
the welfare of the country depended.
Hundreds OF speakers, too poor to pay
their own expenses, were being helped
to do a patriotic duty by the National
Committee, and a vast amount OF itera-
ture was being distributed free to awaken
the public mind on the questions pending
in the campaign. The Democratic party
had no favored interests TO assess and
was obliged to rely upon individuals for
necessary financial assistance. Hence my
contribution. II was by no means the
first time l had assisted the party since
Mr.. Clevelands aggressive leadership
aroused my admiration, and do not hesi-
tate to say that. II II shall again seem
to me TO be my duty as II citizen cesl-
rous OF the best government, 1t will not
be the last.
so far from attaching undue importance
TO it. l was fully aware that the contri-
button meant far less TO me than the
time and effort devoted by thousands of
unselnsh citizens to the same campaign.
Nor did ] believe that II should entitle
me 20 any more consideration. on the
contrary, | have not only admitted, but
have positively insisted, at all times,
that 1t created no obligation to me what
ever, and l feel confident that the Presl-
dent, who, in fact, was kind enough TO
say 10 the Democrats of Rhode Island
that his personal acquaintance with me
enabled him to consider my candidacy
solely upon its merits, will bear me out
in this assertion.
On the other hand, ] frankly admit
that. until after the appointment had been
made II never once occurred 10 my mlhu
that my contribution could be used 10 my
injury. I may add that, although 1 have
endeavored to study without bias the ar
guments which have been advanced,
cannot even now perceive that it Is any
less creditable or patriotic for one 10 ald
with his means a cause in which he De-
ueves than with his voice or pen.
Rut. whatever may be the correct con-
cnusion regarding the ethics of the case.
the fact remains that q large NUMBER OF
NV fellow-citiZens have been led, ELMER
nv coincidence of circumstance or by
false report, to look upon my appoint
ment as in some way inconsistent win
the professions Of the Democratic party
| and the Presidents high ideals OF pubic
service. Fly these critics generally my
fitness for the position has been generous
lv conceded. but the fact OF my contri-
button to the campaign fund has been
considered as making 1t improper for me
TO receive this appointment. l 90 not
think that l could now remove TINS I'M
pression from the minds of many right
minded and thoughtful people, whose
Judgment, l frankly admit, may possibly
| be correct.
At all events. It Is clear that ma my
self in a false position with reference 10
| this Office and appointment. Acceptance
Of the office would make me appear VIII
ing. for the sake of personal grauhcatioh'
| 10 discredit in the minds of many the
nolitical party to which | am attached
and TO bring undeserved rebuke upon
the administration which has honored me-
.nd whose success l earnestly desire
| II therefore seems 10 me sufficient 10
add that self-respect compels me TO adopt
the only other alternative and to decline
the high office to which / have been ap-
pointed. -. .,.,,. o,,oa,-
| have the honor to be- sir. your ooedl-
| ent servant, j. D. VAN "'
II.