The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-08-07
MR.. CLEVELAND IN 1892.
A Letter He Wrote to the Late Justice La
mar-Bears on Free Silver.


JACKSON, Miss, July 29.-In May,
1879, some months before he was
nominated for President for the third
time by the Democrats, President
Cleveland wrote to the late Mr.. JUS
tice Lamar a letter, the original of
which is in possession Of E. Mayes,
Mr.. Lamar's s%on-in-law and biog-
:apher. 1t was in reply to one from
Mr.. Lamar written during his last
sickness. It was written from Lake
View. N. j., and after expressing
pleasure at reports of Mr.. Lamar's i'm
provement. says:
81 have within the last few months
passed through much that has been
trying and p%erplexing to me. The
Office of President has not to me per-
sonally a single allurement. l shrink
from everything which another can
vass and its results involves. l know
Via another election means and |
know as we'll the dark depths that
yawns at the foot of another defeat. l
would avoid either If l should consult
alone my peace, my comfort or my
desire. My discomfort arises from a
sense OF duty to honest people and de-
voted friends. l am alone with nv
W thoughts and with the apparent
trust and confidence Of my country
men. They press upon me hourly by
night and by day. Am l mistaken in
all this, and are my country and my
party prepared to discharge me from
service?
"One thing l know, forces are at
ork which certainly mean the COM
plete turning back Of the hands of
the dial Of Democracy and the de-
struction of party hopes. Is it or.
dained that l am to be the instrument
by which Democratic principles can
be saved, whether party supremacy
Immediately awaits us or not? If follv
Is to defeat us in any event, ought I
to be called upon TO place myself uu-
der the falling timber?
This last consideration smacks a
little of care of self, which perhaps
ought to be discarded. You shall
know, my dear friend, my Utmost
thoughts. shall be obedient to the
CAUSE of my country and my party.
Whatever happens, no one shall saw
that l refused to serve in time Of
need, or abandoned those who have
been instrumental in calling me to
the field where is waged the battle
for Democratic principle.
IF l am given my discharge, Ishall
thank God most fervently. l can
easily be disposed of. either BY the
selection of q candidate more avail
able or by the adoption of a campaign
policy on the financial question,
which I am not willing to further.
lin the first case, l shall be a happy
helper; in the second, I shall sadly
await the announcement OF a party
defeat, which will be Predetermined.
Our Southern friends, if they persist,
will be left alone with their free com
age heresy. The dnnger is that an
other Southern idea and a charge of
heedlessness for the public safety on
the financial question will do service
in the place of the memories of the
civil war. The question Is often and
justlfably put by friendly Southern
ers, Can Cleveland carry, New York;
The answer is ready as u Cleveland,
or any other man, il the Democracy
is at all weak on the coinage question.
AS one who loves his country and
believes that her interests are bound
up in Democratic supremacy, 1 am
most uncomfortable and unhappy in
the fear that the South will not see
till too late the danger of their marring
all. 1t l should read this I hardly
think l should send it, but it goes
with affection and tho most tender
memories. Yours afectionately,
GROVER CLEVELAND.