Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-12-09
REFUSED.
MIR. Van Allen Declines tho italian Am.
bnssadorRhlp.


bassad orship.
New YORK; Dec. 5.-A personal friend
OF ]. j. Van Allen, recently confirmed
ambassador to Italy, has made public
letters showing that Van Allen has de-
clined to serve.
Under date of Newport, writing to
the secretary of state, Mr.. Van Allen
says that he cannot accept, at the same
time expressing his appreciation of the
honor conferred upon him. He con-
tinues:
"Among the comments upon my nomination
which appeared in the public press, one charge
only merits attention, not because II was true,
but because 1t was and suppose still is, be
lieved by many persons unfamiliar with the In
diViduals concerned and the facts essential to
the formation of an accurate judgement The
charge was that received the appointment in
return for u contribution OF $50 900 TO the demo-
cratic national campaign fund. While my nom-
ination was pending in the senate IL did not
seem fitting and proper for me to offer more
than an explicit denial. 1 was aware that as
an Interested party my statement would have
little effect beyond the limits OF my personal
acquaintances. Now however, when my ac-
ton cannot be fairly attributed to purely self
ish motives, 1t seems to me that repetition of
that denial, which 1 make without qualifca-
tion, should be sufficient for any honorable
man.
~ have never denied, and.do not now deny
that contributed to the campaign fund-not
$4,000 but yet considerable sum of mcney-
sincerely believing, as l did, that continue
tion of republican supremacy would be not only
hinderauce TO national progress, bat in time
| positive. menace to the success OF popular
government, and, having large interests at
stake, 1 was impelled by both patriotic and
selfish reasons to aid the democratic cause.
$50 far from attaching undue Importance to
IL, l was fully aware that the contribution
meant far less to me than the time and effort
devoted by thousands OF unsefish citizens TO
the same campaign. Nor did believe that IL
| should entitle me to any more consideration.
On the contrary, / have not only ad-
mitted but have positively insisted at all
| times that 1t created no obligation TO me
whatever, and 1 feel confident that the
| president, who, in fact kind enough
| TO say to the democrats of Rhode Island that
| his personal acquaintance with me enabled him
| to consider my candidacy solely upon its mer-
| its, will bear me out in this assertion. On the
other hand, frankly admit that, until after the
| appointment had been made, 1t never once oc.
| CURED to my mind that my contribution could
| be used to my injury. 1t therefore seems to
| me sufficient to add that self respect compels
me to adopt the only alternative and to decline
| the high offce to which have been appointed ~
"ExEcUTIyE MANSION, WASHINGTON Nov
| %, ls93-To Hon. j. ]. Van Alen-My Dear
|
me your letter OF the Goth inst in which you
| tender your resignation as ambassador tc
| Italy
| II hasten to express my earnest wish thai
you will reconsider this conclusion. The senti
ments contained in your letter do credit TO your
| conscience and Americanism, but you mus
| allow me to dissent from their appli
| cation In this case. l did not select you fol
| nomination TO the Italian mission without salts
\ flying myself OF your entire fitness for the
| place. / am now better convinced of your I
| ness than ever You know and know that al
| the malignant criticism that has been INDUCED
| in regarding this appointment has no justiiica
| tion, and that the decent people who hay,
| doubted Its propriety have been misled or have
! missed actual considerations upon which 4
| rests. We should not yield TO the noise anC
| clamo: which huve arisen from those condi
| tions.
| L my preference should enter very slightly ir
to your final determination, but SO far as hav
such preference 1t is emphatically that you nc
cept the honorable office conferred upon yo
and vindicate in the discharge OF its duties tn
wisdom and propriety OF your selection Avail,
ing an early reply, 1 am yours sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND"
Mr.. Van Allen, on November 25, re
piled to the president thanking hin
for the kind and fiattering sentiment
expressed, but firmly announcing hi
intention to stand by his declinatiol
as expressed in his letter to Secretar,
Gresham, considering it inadvisable t,
invite further misrepresentation b,
taking advantage of the president
penerosity.