New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-04
REASONS FOR Ills ACTION.

Newport r. l.. Nov. 90. 1888
The Hon Walter O. Gresham. Secretary Of state
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt OF
your letter Of the 2sth OF October. in which you
officially notify me that the President. by and with
the advice and consent OF the Senate, has appointed
me Amba ssador to Italy.
Since the receipt OF your letter have given the
matter my most serious and careful attention. and,
as the result OF my reflections. have concluded to
ask you express to the President my decision not
accept the office rendered me-
I must bog that YOU will not infer from this
action any lack OF appreciation on my part OF the
honor conferred. on the contrary. FUZZY compre-
hcnl the dignity. importance and responsibility Oh
the position. and having this realization may
frankly add that the nomination was extremely
gratifying 10 me-not in personal sense merely.
bat more particularly because Of the opportunity
afforded me OF representing my country in such
manner as | hoped might be satisfactory to the
American people and crcdable to the Adminstra-
ton
THAT BIG CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION.
Among the comments upon my nomination which
appeared in the public press charge only merits
attention: not because It true. but because 1t
was and suppose, still is believed by many per
sons unfamiliar with the individuals concerned
and the facts essential to the formation of an ac-
curate Judgment The charge was that ! received
tho appointment In return for a contribution or
$50 900 to the Democratic National campaign fund.
While nomination was ItnInB III tne Scndl'
IL did not seem htting and proper for me to Offer
more than an explicit denial | aware that,
as an interested party my statement would have
little effect beyond the limits OF my personal ac
ouaintance Now however when my action can
not be fairly attributed to purely selfish motives.
IL seems to me that repetition of that denial.
which make without qualification should be suff
cient for any honorable man.
| have never denied. and do not now deny that /
contributed to the campaign fund not $4,000, but
vet considerable sum OF money. Sincerely be-
lIeyine as did that a continuation Of Republican
supremacy would be not only a hinderance to Ma
tlonal progress but in time positive menace to
the success Of popular government and having large
interests a. stake. I impeed by both patriotic
and selfish reasons to aid the Democratic cause.
did not do so until l had made myself familiar
with the methods OF the campaign as conducted by
the National Democratic Committee. | visited the
Democratic Headquarters and was astonished at the
great work being done An expenditure. vast in pro-
portion was being made to bring home to the
the welfare OF the country depended. Hundreds
were being helped TO do patriotic duty by the
National Committee. and n vast amount OF ltera-
ture was being distributed free to awaken the pub
lie mind on the questions pending In the campaign
The Democratic party had favored interests to
assets and Obliged to rely upon individuals for
necessary financial assistance. Hence my contri-
button. II was by no means the first time l had
assisted the party since Mr. Clevc!and's aggressive
leadership aroused my admiration. and do not
hesitate to say that II 1t shall again seem to be