The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-06
BLAINE
Declines the Congressional Nomi-
nation.
AND GIVES BIS REASONS FOR RE-
FUSING UN.

AUGUSTA, June 5.-rhe Kennebec Journal
will publish the following tomorrow morning.
A very large number OF prominent and infu-
ential Republicans every county in the
State, aggregating several thousand in all
united in addressing to Mr. Blaine the follow
ing invitation, dated May, 1882
Hon. James G.. Blaine: The undersigned
Republicans of the State of Maine fully recog-
nizing the local and national Importance OF the
coming campaign in our State, and Dellevlng
that nothing would add so much to the assur-
ance of our partys success as the prestige of
your name upon the Republican ticket re-
spectfully and urgently request that you Will
consent to be nominated for Congressman at
Large. and give us the advantage of your can
didacy and personal popularity in the work of
redeeming the State.
Mr.. Blaine has just replied as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 8, 1882.
Hon. Amos p. Morrill,, Hon. Abner Co6urn
Hon. Neal Doso, Hon. Samuel e. Spring,
Hon. Josiah II. Drunanaopd, Gen, Francis
Fessenden, Gen. Seldom Connor, Hon. Daniel
r. Ddvis, and Francis Cobb, Esq.
Gentlemen-Your very kind letters urging
me to become candidate for Representa- We
in Congress have been supplemented by
similar expressions from large number Of the
best and truest Republicans of sMaine. a re-
quest so general, go cordial, SO unprecedented
has caused me to weigh the question seriously
in all its bearings, to measure my obligations,
and to ascertain my duty. After the fullest re-
Election 1 feel constrained to withhold the use
of my name. For twenty-three years | was
continuously in the public service, and left
it in consequence of tragedy that has involv-
ed deep changes in the policy OF the COVER 4
ment. Since then / have been attending to
long neglected private affairs from which
cannot at this time turn aside except With in
Justice to those who have even stronger
claim upon me than the great constituency
which in all these years has honored me with
earnest support and with unwayering conf
dence.
II could persuade myself that my candidacy
would add to the strength of the Republican
ticket would subordinate all personal consid-
erations and at once comply with your desire
But cannot flatter myself that this is the case
The convention will not fail to present list
of candidates for Congress that will command
the united and hearty support of our political
friends. Moreover in every town the zeal and
energy of the party will be quickened by the
re-elect Mr.. Frye and thus preserve cur repub-
lican strength in the United States Senate
which has been for twenty years unbroken.
Towards these results shall cheerfully con-
tribute my full share of labor, and not with
less effect l hope, because shall speak as a
private citizen interested only in maintaining
the ascendancy of sound republican principles.
Through you 1 beg to return my thanks to
every gentleman in the State who has honored
me with so signal an expression OF friendship
and confidence. esteem that expression far
beyond the position to which you proposed to
elect me.
1 am gentlemen,
Very truly yours,
JAMES G. BLAINE.