Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-08-06
Mr.. crsseland,. Prophecy.

A remarkable letter written by Mr..
Cleveland previous to his last nomi-
nation for President by the Demo-
cratic party, has recently been made
public. 1t was written to Mr.. Justice
Lamar in response to penuilled note
from the latter, written while on
sick bed from which he never arose,
aid was given to the press by Edgar
S. Wilson, formerly Justice Lamar's
private secretary. In this letter,
dated Lakewood, N. j., May 1st
1897 MIR. Cleveland said:
81 have within the last few months
passed through much that has been
trying and perplexing to me. The
office OF President has not to me per-
| sonally single allurement. | shrink
from everything which another can
vass and its result involves. know
what another election means, and
know as we'll the dark depths that
yawn at the foot of another defeat.
would avoid either if should consult
| alons my peace, my comfort, or my
desire My discomfort arises from a
sense OF duty to honest people and
devoted friends. | am alone with my
own thoughts and with the apparent
trust and confidence of my country
men. They press upon me hourly by
night and day. Am / mistaken in all
this, and are my country and my party
prepared to discharge me from seryicee
One thing know. Forces are at work
which certainly mean the complete
turning back of the hands on the dial
of Democracy and the destruction of
party hopes. Is il ordained that | am
TO be the instrument through which
Democratic principles can be saved,
whether party supremacy immediately
awaits us or not? III folly is TO defeat
us in any event, ought be called upon
to place myself under the falling tim
Der? This last consideration smacks a
ought to be discarded. You shall
know, my dear friend, my inmosi
thoughts.
~ shall be obedient to the cause ol
. my country and my party whatever hap
pens. No one shall say that / refused
10 serve in time OF need, or abandoned
those whom | have been instrumental
in lcalling-to the field when is waget
the battle for Democratic principle. |
! am given my discharge | shall th8nl
God most fervently. | can easily b'
S disposed Of, either by the selection o
a candidate more available or by th
;. adoption of campaign policy on tn
; financial question which am no
: willing to further. In the first case
e shall be happy helper; in the second
Q shall sadly await the announcement
n of a party defeat which will be pre-
:, determined.
"Our Southern friends, il they per
: sist, will be left alone with their free
b coinage heresy. The danger is tina
o another Southern idea and a charg
ii of beetllessness for tho public safety 0
~ the financial question will do servic
:. in the place of the memories of th
:. Civil War The question is often an
u justifiably put by friendly Southerneri
,, Can Cleveland carry New York? Th
10 answer is ready as to Cleveland or an
" other man, il the Democracy ia at a
!, weak ON the coinage question. A
a. one who loves his country, and b.
lieves that her interest ia bound up
al Democratic supremacy, | am most VI
a. comfortable and unhappy in the fe
,t that the South will not see until t
.. late the danger Of their. marring all.
:, This letter reads like a ,prophec
Mr.. Cleveland even at that time for
saw the folly that was to sweep Il
Democratic party organization from
H. stand in favor of honest finances, al
IF, engulf it in the delusion of fiat none
e. lie feared it was TO come that yea
n when he would ''sadly await the a
IN nouncement Of party defeat viii
will be predetermined" But the sen
es ment that enforced his nominatio
:s despite the determined opposition
Ut selfish politicians, savod the par
nn .'a from its fat money folly, and it "
iii victorious at the election. ,..
be But now that the forces of free silly
,re coinage are in control of the PAL
all organization, and have shaped
ne ne destiny TO suit their wild financ
Rc views, the predetermined defeat" IL
nd Mr.. Cleveland foresaw in 1892, is MT
nd impending than ever.
VI -----zl----