New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-28
Mr.. CLEVELAND OUT OF IT
NOT CANDIDATE. HE SAYS
THE Brooklyn Eagle" Turns to
Parker as Best Choice for President

Ex-President Grover Cleveland in a letter to
ST. Clair McKelway. Editor Of The Brooklyn
Eagle" under date Of November %. announces
his determination not to accept a nomination for
President Of the United States.
Mr. McKelwsy is a warm personal friend of
Mr. Cleveland. and has repeatedly urged upon
Democrats Of national and State prominence the
propriety of making Mr.. Cleveland the standard
bearer Of the Democrats in the campaign next
year. The letter, which is generally regarded as
taking Mr.. Cleveland out Of the race for the
Democratic nomination. printed in The
Eagle yesterday. 1t follows:
Princeton. November %. 1908
Dear Mr.. McKelway: / have waited for a long
time TO say something which think should be
said to you before others. You can never know
how grateful I for the manifestation of
kindly feeling toward me on the part of my
countrymen which your initiative has brought
out. Your advocacy in The Eagle of my NOM
ination for the Presidency came 10 me as great
manner by Democratic sentiment that connict-
ing thoughts of gratitude and duty have caused
me 10 hesitate as 10 the time and manner of a
declaration on my part concerning the SUBJECT
if such a declaration should seem necessary or
prope--
consideration presented, 1 have not for a mo-
ment been able. nor am I now able. to open my
mind TO the thought that in any circumstances
or upon any consideration I would ever again
become the nominee Of my party for the Presi-
dencv. NV determination not to do so is I'M
alterable and conclusive. This you at least
ought TO know rom me. should be glad If
The Ea gle" made the medium OF its con-
veyance 10 the public Very sincerely yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND
The Eagle" says that Alton B. Parker Chief
Judge of the Court of Appeals is now the
strongest and most available candidate for a
sane and united Democracy" OF Judge Parker
The Eagle" says in part:
His judicial position has peremptorily forbid
nd
canvasses Of politics. but his fidelity TO the doc
trines and his quiet and unvarying support, by
have commended him 10 every member of it
irrespective of the divisions from which that
party has suffered in this State and in the
nation and need suffer no longer
The capacity of the man for the Presidency is
indisputable. The character of the man is of
the highest excellence, and the Democracy of
the man is manifest that it is nowhere ques-
toned. just as il is so absolute and so honorable
as 10 be nowhere attacked and nowhere capable
Of attack or Of doubt by any Democrat in the
world
1t is fact that Judge Parker would prefer to
continue in his present judicial position but it
is also fact that his preference for that should
itself increase the demand of the State and ma
tional Democracy that he should forego that de-
sire for the sake Of his party and his country.
We have his own assurance that he would have
waived his desire for judicial station alone had
his party peremptorily and unanimously insisted
upon his nomination for the Governorship in
1902 The convention was manipulated from
that duty and opportunity by arts and devices
without honor TO the men who employed them
and without success TO men named to benefit by
them II is now impossible for Judge Parker's
strength and the party's desire for him TO be
sacrificed by men whom the aroused courage and
whom the intelligent purpose of the party have
sent forever TO the rear
He can carry New York State. In carrying it
he can so quicken the hope and so stimulate the
effort of the Democracy of other great Northern
States that. with him as the nominee. with d
colleague for the Vice Presidency in his intel
lectual and moral likeness. and with platform
alike progressive and wise, the Democracy can
command enough Northern commemorative to
assure the national success of its candidates and
principles. with the aid of Southern States, in
which the preservation of civilization itself de-
ponds upon their adherence TO Democratic prin-
ciples and tickets.