As things now stand, I might, after the publication of my letter, be pertinently asked, whether I know that Mr. Cleveland agrees with the sentiments I express concerning him; and if I answer that I think so, the occurrences in New York might be pointed at as a reason why I should not think so. Or Mr. Cleveland might be asked whether he agreed with these sentiments, and if the conduct of his campaign is what it seems to be, this might be to him a very embarrassing question. He might perhaps say, he was much pleased to see me think so well of him, but that he took in some respects a view of things different from mine. You will readily understand that under such circumstances my position would be a somewhat ridiculous one. Now, I do not wish to embarrass Mr. Cleveland, nor do I wish to appear ridiculous myself. It seems to me necessary therefore that the situation should become somewhat clearer before I go further.
I believe, for these reasons, that in the first place the publication of my letter should be suspended; and, secondly, I should be very much obliged to you, if you would lay the printed proof slips of my letter before Mr. Cleveland, for expression of his judgment, as to whether the things I say of him may be said without danger of being in any manner contradicted or weakened by him or by those who have authority to speak for him. If he assents, then the letter can be published; if he does not assent, then I shall withdraw the letter, and in a few lines express to the Brooklyn gentlemen my regret, at not being able to comply with their invitation which would be perfectly true, for I have been quite ill again these last days, and it is questionable whether I shall be permitted to go to my new abode near Tarrytown this week, as I intended to do.
I am extremely sorry, dear Mr. Shepard, to put you to so much trouble, but, as you see, the situation has become a very peculiar one, in consequence of Mr. Cleveland's
