The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-02
CLEVELAND WROTE HIS DRY.
Prophetic Letter From the President
TO Justice Lamar.

Jackson, Miss, July 27.-Mr Cleve-
land, in 1892, before he was nominated
for the Presidency, wrote the late JUS
tice of the Supreme court, l.. Q. C..
Lamar, letter, the original of which
is in the possession of E. Mayes, Judge
Lamar's son-in-law and biographer.
The exceptionally affectionate and
confidential relations between those
statesmen admitted of no reservations.
The letter referred to was in reply to
one from Justice Lamar, written in
pencil on a sickbed, from which he
never arose. What was prophesied
then is history now. Mr.. Cleveland's
reply was as follows:
Lake View, n. j., May 1, 1892.
My Dear Mr.. Lamar: First of all
must tell you how pleased ! am with
the report | have from the press and
other sources concerning your improv-
ed health. | hope and pray that you
are on the road to complete recovery
and great public usefulness. You will
not, | think, consider me elusive if /
say that it seems to me that the love
of friends ought to make you well.
though / do not exactly see how this
result is worked
Il need not say how delighted / was
TO hear from you again in your own
hearty, kindly style, and / was espe-
cially touched with your letter, writ
ten, as it was, when you were so sick.
have within the last few months pass
ed through much that has been trying
and perplexing to me.
The office of President has not to
me personally a single allurement ]
shrink from everything which another
canvass and its result involves. !
know what another election means,
and / know as well the dark depths
that yawn at the foot of another de
feat. I 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 devoted
friends. / am alone with my own
thoughts, and with the apparent trust
and confidence of my countrymen.
They press upon me hourly by night
and day. Am / mistaken in all this,
and are my country and my party pre-
pared to discharge me from service ?
Zone thing / know-forces are at
work which certainly mean the com
plete turning back of the hands on the
dial of Democracy and the destruction
of party hopes. Is it ordained that
am to be the instrument through
which Democratic principles can be
saved? Whether party supremacy inn
mediately awaits us or not, if folly is
to defeat us, in any event, ought / to
be called upon to place myself under
the falling timber?
This last consideration smacks a
little of care for self, which perhaps
ought to be discarded. You shall know
my dear friend, my inmost thoughts.
shall be obedient to the cause of my
country and my party Whatever
happens, no one shall say that l refus-
ed to serve in time of need or aban-
doned those whom have been instru-
mental in calling to the field when is
waged the battle for Democratic prin-
ciple.
''If ] am given my discharge I shall
thank God most ferventlv. can east
ly be disposed Of either by the selection
Of a candidate more available, or by
the adoption of a campaign policy on
the financial question which I am not
willing to further In the first case, I
shall be happy helper, in the second,
] shall sadly await the announcement
OF party defeat which will be pre-
determined.
Our Southern friends, il they per-
sist, will be left alone with their free
coinage heresy. The danger is that an