The morning call., 1893-12-04
sTUNd BY PUBLIC OPINION.
He Turns q Deaf Ear to the
q. Presidents Entreaties.
GROVER TRIES TO GIVE soLACE.
1T All Comes About Through the Big
=. Contribution to the Democratic
Campaign Fund.

:. WASHINGTON. Dec. 81. j. Van Allen
wilInot go TO Italy as United States EN-
:bassador. He respectfully refuses to ac-
cept the appointment, and in spite of the
: Presidents request that he reconsider this
determination he firmly declines. The
Correspondence was made public to-day.
Under date of Newport, November 20.
: Van Allen writes to Secretary Gresham
acknowledging the great honor conferred,
but after serious and careful reflection de-
eides not TO accept. In the letter Van Alien
refers TO the public charge that be received
+the appointment in return for $50, 900
. contribution to the Democratic campaign
fund. He does not deny having con-
.tributed, not $780, but a considerable
sum of money, but always insisted it
created no obligation whatever to him.
He feels confident that President Cleve-
land. who was kind enough 10 SAY to
Rhode Island Democrats that his personal
acquaintance would enable him to con-
slider the appointment solely on personal
merits, will bear him out in this statement,
Under date of November % the Presi-
dent writes as follows:
: Hon. j. j. VGn Alen-MY DEAR SIR:
The Secretary of State has submitted to
AAO yOAA ACbbCL VI luo &Obu Sl., III WHICH
you tender your resignation as Embassa-
dor to Italy. l hasten to express my ear
nest wish that you will reconsider this
conclusion. The sentiments contained In
your letter do credit to your conscience
and 'Americanism. but you must allow me
Ito dissent from their application in this
case. L did not select you for nomin ation
to the italian mission without satisfying
myself Of your entire fitness for the place.
J. am now better convinced OF your fitness
than ever. You know, and l know. all
the malignant criticism that has been in
sdulged in regarding this appointment has
no Justification, and that decent people
who have doubted its propriety have been
]mlsled, or have missed the actual consid-
eratiops uneH = hich it rests. We should
hot yieis to the noiss and cIamor which
lave s.tsen fron those conditions. My
persona preference should enter very
2 :ligk tly into your inal determination, but
NO la as / have such preference 1t is
e.-uptitically for you to accept the honor
able affice conferred upon you, and vipdi-
cate by sne discharge OF its duties the wis
dom anG nroprlesy of your selection.
a waiting your early reply, [ am yours
sincerely, GROVER CLEVELAND.
Under date OF November %, Van Allen
writes from Newport thanking the Presi-
dent for the very kind and f1attering senti-
ments expressed. but stating that for the
reasons already given in the former letter,
. and after long and serious consideration
be feels he cannot accept the appointment t.
Van Allen concludes the letter as follows
My only regret in this decision. which l
beg you to consider final, is that it is con-
trary to the personal preference which
you so kindly express. bat cannot think
1t would be advisable for me to invite fur
ther Misrepresentation by taking advan-
tage of your generosity. Again thanking
you for your most gracious words, and
with an earnest hope for continuance
of the successes which have already
marked your second administration, beg
to remain, etc."