New-York tribune., 1902-02-25
4 REBEKE TO 7ILLMAN.
THE PRESIDENT CANCELS HIS INVITA-
TION To DINE WITH PRINCE HENRY.

Washington, Feb. 24-The President has with
drawn the invitation extended 10 Senator Till
man. of South Carolina TO attend the dinner in
honor Of Prince Henry OF Prussia at the White
House tonight. 1t is said that this action was
made necessary by the fact that the Senator
was declared in contempt of the Senate. Sena-
tor Martin. OF Virginia. a member Of the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs. has accepted tnvi-
tation in Nj Ti.lmans place. The invitation
was originally given 10 Mr Tillman because he
Is the ranking minority member of the Naval
Affairs Committee
There was a sensational sequel to the de-
cision. The President sent for Senator Cockren.
Of Missouri. and asked him as a friend and
Democratic colleague Of Mr.. Tillman TO suggest
TO the latter the propriety of Withdrawing his
acceptance of the dinner invitation. The Pres-
dent explained his attitude. and said that in
view Of the contempt proceedings NIr. Tnlmans
presence would not only be affront TO the
Senate, but discourtesy to Prince Henry. Mr..
COckreu accepted the commission, and later tele-
phoned to the President that Mr.. Tillman abso-
Iutely refused 20 withdraw his acceptance in
response to the Presidents suggestion The Presi-
dent then Immediately cancelled the invitation
in the following note sent directly 70 Mr., TILL
man shortly before noon to-day:
White House. February "a.
The President regrets that he IS compelled 70
withdraw the invitation to you to dine tonight
a
GEORGE B. CORTELYOU,
Secretary to the President.
AN INSULT" SAYS TILLMAN.
Commenting on the letter Senator TiIIman
said:
The President Of course. has the right TO in
vite any one he chooses 10 dine with him on
ciaIly or otherwise. and has the right
withdraw such invitation. As l am not con-
sCous Of having done anything personal or Off
ciaI which gives the President the right to in
suit me- I surprised at his action. The in
vitatiou 10 the dinner came 10 me unsought and
Unexpectedly. and far the withdrawal Is
concerned it is a matter Of absolute indifference
TO me. 1t is the motive behind il. which seeks
TO put in the condition Of unwOrthiness to
meet the President and his guests before nnal
action by the Senate. Prince Henry, the Presi-
dents guest. comes from a country where Gus
tom makes IL obligatory upon any man who re-
CARDS himself a gentleman 20 promptly resent
an insult and the method is by challenge TO a
duel That was once the custom. but il is now
obsolete in the uses We have been forced as a
people here TO cling 10. Ihe old Anglo saxon
rule was 20 consider the lie direct the first
blow. and man could hold up his head in
decent society should he. being near enough to
answer the lie with blow. not give It,
As for my being in contempt Of the Senate.
which l presume is the excuse for this insult
at the hands Of the President, that l deny. l
have been guilty Of a breach or the rules and
the privileges Of the Senate. The Senate was
not sitting as a court, but legislative as
sarnblv. Il has the right to eXpel me if II sees
action. II has the right to arrest me and to
hold me in custody until it makes disposition
Of my case. but il has no right to gag me. and
the President has no right 10 judge me guilty
Of conduct uubeCOming gentleman unless he
bellies all his autecedents. which lead one 70 be-
Iieve that he would have done just as l did
under the circumstances. AS to which of is
the gentleman in this matter, in view Of the un-
sought invitation 10 dinner at the White House
and its indecent withdrawal l am willing to
abide by the judgment of all brave and self-re-
specting men.