The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-04
VAN ALIEN STAYS At HOME.
He Declines to Accept the AmbaSSa.
dOTShip TO Italy.

Allen Writes That HIS Decision Is
Final.
New York, Dec. 3,-The following cor.
respondence, which is self-explanatory,
was given out here for publication to-day:
Newport, h, l., Nov. 20, ls99.-Hon Walter
O. Gresham. Secretary OF State-Slr: l have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of oct. %, in which you officially notify
me that the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, has appointed me
ambassador TO Italy.
Since the receipt of your letter have given
the matter my most serious and careful at
teuton, and, as the result of my reflections,
have concluded to ask you to express TO the
President my decision 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
fully comprehend the dignity, importance
4 and responsibility of the position and having
this realization, may frankly add that the
nomination was extremely gratifying to me
no. in a personal sense merely, but more par
ticularly because of the opportunity afforiing
OF representing my country in such u manner
s. l hoped might be satisfactory TO the
American people and creditable to the ad-
millstratlOn.
Among the comments upon my nomination
which appeared IN the public press one
charge only merits attention; not because it
was rue, bat because il was, and l suppose
still IS believed by many persons unfamiliar
with the individuals concerned, and the facts
essential to the formation OF an accurate
Judgment.
The charge was, that received the appoint
meut in return for a contribution Of S5DUOO to
the democratic national campaign fund.
While my nomination was pending in the
Senate, it did not seem fitting and proper for
me 10 offer more than an explicit denial l
was aware that as an interested party my
statement would have little effect beyond the
limits OF my personal acquaintance. Now. how
ever, when my action can not be fairly
attributed to purely selfish motives. it seems
10 me that repetition Of that denial which
make without qualification should be su1i-
cent for any honorable man. l have never
denied and do not now deny, that [ contrib
uted to the campaign fund-nOt $50 900 but
yet a considerable sum of money. Sincerely
teleVlng, as l did that continuation of re
puUlcan supremacy would be the OnlV
q hindrance to national progress but
In TINE positive menace to the success Of
a popular government and, having large inter
estS at stake, was impelled by 10th Datri-
one and selfish reasons, to aid the democratic
cause. did not do so until / had made my
sell tamlIlar with the methods of the cam
palsA as conducted by the national democratic
committee. l visited the democratic head
quarters and was aStonished at the great
WORK being done. An expenditure in large
& proportions, was being made to bring home
n 10 I6e American people the truths upon
which L believed the welfare of the country
depended Hundreds of speakers too poor
70 pay thelr own expenses, were being helped
tee, and a vast amount of literature was being
81 distributed free to.awal1en the public mind
on lne questions pending in the campaign
Inc democratic party had not been favored
IN Jhls respect, and was oOliged to RELY upon
Il individuals for the necessary financial assist
alce Hence my contribution. 1t was by no
means Inc first time had assisted the party
since MT. CIeYelandS S aggressive leadership
aroused my admiration, and do not hesitate
10 say that. II 1t shall again seem to be nv
uuly as citizen desirous Of the best govern
ha ha 1a5
aIldchlng undue importance TO IT, l was
iuIIy aware that the contribution meant far
less less 10 me than the time ana effort devoted by
thousands OF unSelish citizens to the same
campaign, Nor did believe that il shouId
elltle me to any consideration On the con
Udty: have not only admitted but have
pJslEely insisted at all times that it created
no o0iigatlon to me whatever and [ feel
tOhIuent that the President, who in fact
Was KIND enough to say TO the democrats of
hHQue ue Island that his personal acquaintance
H1tu me enabled him to consider my candi-
Gd$ solely upon its merits, will bear me out
IN This assertion.
On the other hand, I frankly admit. that
tIyIaIter the appointment had been made
LLtyef once occurred to my mind that my
contribution could be used to nv injury I
nay add that although l have endeavored to
S.-uy, without bias, the arguments which
nave cen advanced, | cannot even NOW nor
celye that it is any less creditable or
pa.H'lc for one to aid with his means
'd-se IN which he believes than with his
W.. w pen But' Whatever may be the cor
t1NI 1uAtluSlOn regarding the ethics Of the
ms the fact remains that a large number Of
.l l leHoW citizens have been led either by
80 .nC 1oI ll1once OF circumstance or by false
tgluIl 10 look upon my appointment as in
S4A5 way inconsistent with the professions
Pro-i3e ne Democratic party and the
5{Iic I[{fISldent's personal high ideas Of
parora,,- Pa5o service. BY these critics
teAt-a ally my fitness for the position has been
.g4eIQusly conceded, but the fact Of my CON
~ylIioa to the campaign fund has been
ou>iueIGd as making 1t improper for me TO
i9le-{e thS appointment. l do not think that
1i5u iiu5-u now remove this impression from the
--i,uS nus OF the many rightminded and thought.
peopIe, whose judgment, l frankly admit,
nay possibly be correct
AT all events it is clear that I placed myself
- d IaIse position with reference to this
oEe 4ce una appointment. Acceptance OF the
N Sg1 you'd make me appear willing for the
IN t1eg NJ vi personal qualification to my discredit
,yljg minds OF many Of the political party to
l1Iil am attached, to bring undeserVed re-
Il oraI UPON the administration which has hon
Il II t5, 5aie, ana whose success earnestly desire.
Fl I1IeIofe, seems to me sufficient to add
crI II seHTeSpect compels me to adopt the
to Is s aternative, and to decline the high office
Il rGnich have been appointed
servant q i ". V.,, AN
0LhVELAND ASKS HIM TO RECONSIDER.
Ie,ae lae i,ollowing reply was sent to the above
4 ''fTsE by President Cleveland:
800 sioAeGqtlve mansion, Washington Nov o.
Il Soeo-hon. J. j. Van Allen: My Dear Sir-Tne
4lsttag'dty OF State has submitted to me your
dasgi oi the 10th inst, in which YOU ten
~ 81 your resignation as ambassador to Italy.
,y--.uleleh TO express my earne st wish that YOU
Il rrar., outsider this conclusion. The senti-
vo--'a contained in your letter do credit to
3c,-t Conscience and Americansm, but YOU
fit".l allow me to dissent from their ap-
Il t10'Hon In this case. l did not select
q irItbloI loI nomination to the Italian mission
he Wy satisfying myself of your entire fit
n Nircafi io. the place. | am now better con
arJ ~ VI your illness than ever. YoI know,
N ibat SNOW, that all the malignant criticism
al toir I'9 Deen INDUCED in. regarding this ap-
tealar.'eHt mas no justification, and that the
81 hri~s people who have doubted its pro-
F. nave been miSled or have missed the
81 W. .t CohSlderations, upon which 1t rests
hrbi.t uIu not yield to the noise and clamor
NJ nave arisen from those conditions.
trfg5, ,tPCINohal preference should enter very
farHNtlS INTO your final determination but so
4 rsr""9 nave such preference il Is emphati-
& r., .udt you accept the honorable ONCE CON
Il fba.. upon You, and vindicate by the dis
Il F. OF Its duties, the wisdom and pro-
erlF oi YOUR selection. Waiting your early
'''S am yours sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND
,en, -4e Presidents request Mr. Van Allen
+ Newport, R. I. Nov. %. 1se8.-To the Presi-
H h. 49, IilI-I have the honor to acknowledge
lay lpt OF your letter of Nov % In repiv
e. me to thank you most sincerely and
N teriirrs LOT the very kind and fattering
tro aLlS you express. For the reasons
fnera, ~..tduy stated, In my letter TO the