Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-07
A SURPRISE FROM Van allen
He Positively Declines the
Italian Mission.
CLEVELAND URGES ACCEPTANCE
But Van Allen Remains Firm
in His Refusal.
He Declined Because of the Adverse and
Unjust Comment Aroused by His Nomi-
nation-It Was Not Given to Him IA, a
Reward for His Campaign OontrIbu-
tions.

NEW York, Dec. 3.-The following
correspondence, which is self-explana-
tory, was given ont here to-day for
publications:
NEWPORT, II. L.. Nov. 20, S93-The Hon.
Waiter q. Gresham, Secretary Of iState-SIR !:
! 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
Am AMBASSADOR to Italy. Since the receipt of
your letter l have given the matter my
most serious and careful attention, and, US
the result OF my reflections, have con-
cludeu TO ask You to express to the Presi-
dent 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 the honor conferred. ON the con.
trary, fully comprehend the dignity, i'm
portanceand responsibility OF the position,
and, having this realization, may frankly
aud that the nomination was extremely
gratifying to me-not in q personal sense
merely, but more particularly because OF
the opportunity afforded me of represent
ing my country in such manner as
hoped might be satisfactory to the Ameri-
can people and creditable to the admins
tration.
Among the comments upon my nomina.
ton which appeared in the public press
one charge only merits attention, not be-
cause 1t was true, but because it was, and |
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
mat received the appointment in return
Tor contribution of fifty thousand dollars
20 the Democratic national campaign fund.
While my nomination was pending in the
Senate it did not seem fitting and proper
for me to offer more than an explicit de-
MAJ. was aware that, as an interested
party, my statement would have little
effect beyond the limits of my personal ac-
quaintance. Now however, when NV
action cannot be fairly attributed to purely
selfish motives, it seems to me that a rene.
tition OF that denial, which make with
out qualification, should be sufficient for
any honorable man.
have never denied, and do not now
deny, that contributed to the campaign
fnnd-not S5O,0OO but vet a considernble
sum of money. Sincerely believing ms
did, that continuation of Republican
supremacy would be not only hindrance
tonational rogress, but in time a positive
menace to the success of popular govern
ment. and having large interests at stake.
was impelled by both patriotic and selfish
reasons to aid the Democratic cause.
did not do so until had made myself
familiar with the methods of the campaign
as conducted by the national Democratic
committee. visited the Democrats hend
quarters and was astonished at the great
work being done. An expenditure vast in
proportions was being made to bring home
10 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 literature
was being distributed free to awaken the
public mind on the questions pending in
the campaign. The Democratic party mad
no favored interests to assess and was
Obliged to rely upon individuals for neces-
sary financial assistance. Hence my con
tribution. 1t was by no means the first
time | had assisted the party since Mr.
Clevelands aggressive leadership aroused
my admiration, and do not hesitate to
say that, II 1t shall again seem to be nv
duty as citizen DESTROYS of best govern
ment. it will not be the last.
so tar. from attaching undue importance
to II, was fully aware that the contri-
'pution meant Tar less to me than the time
and effort devoted by thousands of nm
selfish citizens to the same campaign.
Nor did believe that it should entitle me
to any more consideration. On the con-
trary, have not only admitted, but have
positively insisted at all times, that il
created no obligation to me whatever. and
4 feel confident that the President, who.
in fact, was kind enough to say 10 the
Democrats of Rhode Island that his per-
soiat acquaintance with me enabled him
to consiuer my candidacy solely upon its
merits, Will bear me out in this assertion.
On the other hand | frankly admit that,
.t..Naa L
made, 1t never once occurred to nv mind
that my contribution could be used 10 INV
injury. may add that, although have
endeavored to study without bias the argu-
Inents which have been advanced, cannot
even now perceive that it is any less credit
able or patriotic for one to aid with his
means cause in which he believes than
with his voice or pen.
But, whatever may be the correct con-
cluslon regarding the ethics of the case.
the fact remains that large number OF
my fellow citizens have been led, either
by coincidence of circumstance or by false
report, TO look upon my appointment as
N some way inconsistent with the profes.
sions of the Democratic party and the
Presidents hugh ideals Of public service.
BY these critics generally my fitness for
the position mas been generously conceded,
but the fact of my contribution to the
campaign fund has been considered al
making 1t improper for me to receive this
appointment. lido not think that could
now remove this impression from the
minds OF many right-minded and Thought
full people, whose Judgment, frankly adj
NIT, may possibly be correct.
At all events it is clear that find myself
in q false position with reference to this
Office and appointment. Accordance of
the Office would make me appear willing.
for the sake of personal qualification, 10
discredit in the minds OF many of the
political party to which am attached. and
TO bring undeserved rebuke upon the adj
ministration which has honored me and
whose success L earnestly desire.
1t therefore seems to me sufficient to add
than self-respect compels me to adopt the
only other alternative and to decline Inc
high office to which Ihave been appointed.
have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant, j. j. VAN ALIEN.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WAsIINeroN. Nov
22.-Hoh. y. y. Van Iten-MY DEAR Sin:
The Secretary of State has submitted to me
your letter of the 10Th inst, in which Won
tender your resignation as Ambassador 10
Italy. hasten to express my earnest 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 to dissent from,
their application in this case.
did not select you for nomination TO
the Italian mission without satisfying
myself OF your entire fitness for the place
| am now better convinced of your fitness
than ever. You know and know that All
the malignant criticism that has been in.
dulged regarding this appointment has no
Justihcation, and that the decent people
who have doubted its propriety have been
misled or have missed the actual conditions
upon which it rests. We should not Weld
% the noise and camor which have arisen
from those conditions.
/, MY personal preference should enter