Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1915-06-11
BRYAN RESIGNS AS
CABINET MEMBER
Could Not Endorse Wilson'S Last
Message to Emperor Bill and
Makes Way For Man in
Accord With President.

Mr.. Bryan's resignation came as a
great surprise. If there had beer
any intimation of such an event il
had not appeared in the public press
1t has been known for sometime that
Mr.. Bryan and the President differed
seriously on the Presidents ultima
tum, which fact no doubt explains the
delay in forwarding the final note to
Germany. The President and Mr..
Bryan were trying to get together
it is said. Failing, there was only one
manly, true course open to the sec
etary of State. True, as always, to
his convictions he proceeded at once
to get out of the way. Following is
Mr.. Bryan's letter and President Will
sons reply:
Washington, June 8.
My Dear President:
1t is with sincere regret that 1 have
reached the conclusion that l should
return to you the commission of sec
retary of state with which you honor
cd me at the beginning Of your ad-
ministration. Obedient to your sense
of duty, and actuated by the highest
motives, you have prepared for trans
mission to the German government a
note in which l cannot join without
violating what / deem to be an obliga-
tion to by country, and the issue in
volved is of such moment that to re-
main member of the cabinet would
be as unfair to you as it would be to
the cause which is nearest my heart,
namely, the prevention of war.
|, therefore, respectfully tender my
resignation, to take effect when the
note is sent, unless you prefer an ear
lier hour. Alike desirous of receiv-
ing peaceful solution of the prob
lens arising out of the use of sub
marines against merchant marine, we
find ourselves differing irreconcilably
as to the methods which should be
employed.
1t falls to your lot to speak oflic-
tally for the nation; consider it to be
none the less my duty to endeavor as
private citizen to promote the end
which You have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
In severing the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed be-
tween us during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledge the pro-
found satisfaction which it has given
me to be associated with you in the
importatn work which has come be-
fore the state department and to
thank you for the courtesies extend
ed.
With the heartiest good wishes for
your personal welfare and for the sue
cess of your administration, I am,
my dear Mr.. President,
Very truly yours,
(Signed) w. J. BRYAN.
THE PRESIDENTS ACCEPTANCE.
The Presidents letter to Mr.. Bryan
was as follows:
My Dear Mr.. Bryan:
| accept your resignation only be-
cause you insist upon it's acceptance;
and l accept it with much more than
deep regret, with a feeling of personal
sorrow. Our two years of close asso-
citation have been very delightful to
me. Our judgment has accorded in
practically every matter of official
duty and of public policy until now;
your support of the work and purpose
of the administration have been gen
erous and loyal beyond praise; your
devotion to the duties of your great
office and your eagerness to take ad-
vantage of every great opportunity
for service it afforded has been an
example to the rest of us; you have
earned our effectionate admiration
and friendship. Even now we are not
separated in the object we seek, but
only in the method by which we seek
it.
1t is for these reasons my feeling
about your retirement from the sec
retaryship of state goes so much
deeper than regret. l sincerely de-
plore it. Our objects are the same
and we ought to pursue them together.
l yield to your desire only because l
must, and wish to bid you God-speed
in the parting.
We shall continue to work for the
same causes even when we do not
work in the same way.
With affectionate regard,
Sincerely yours,
WOODDOuJ JITTT CNnr