New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-01
HITHDRAHING UPTARDS

The Hop. Joseph c. 8. Blackburn, of Ken
lucky, has been for some months to limited
extent candidate for the Speakership of the
next House. Like our own candidate, Sir.
Samuel Cox he began with sure thing y
all OF them, indeed, do that--but he tapered Oft
rather more suddenly. So suddenly that he
ceased some time ago to be counted as a factor
in the contest, and the public had almost for
gotten that he had been in the field. He did not,
however take himself definitely and dccisively
out until day or two ago, when he wrote let
ter TO that effect to The Frankfort (Ky0
Pe0man. Therein he says that his desire for
the success of the Democratic party in Congress,
and especially that the party may plant itself
on the theory of tariff for revenue only is
superior 20 any personal ambition. by ais
withdrawal he thinks Kentucky will be united
in the fight, and he promises to lend all his en-
ergies to the success Of that candidate who,
representing the true principles of tariff re-
u form shall show the hest prospect OF defeating
sMr. Randall Having thus shown his superb
ority to personal ambition, he goes on to say
that he has been urged by many friends to per-
nit the use of his name as % candidate for the
United States Senate and after mature con-
didate." Feeling that he cannot with propr:ety
stand for both places, he /" declines the race for
the Speakership to devote his energies to that
of SENATOR
1t is onderful what really patriotic Ken
lucky statesman can do in the way OF self
sacrifice when once he rises superior to personal
ambition. Tue Democrats of Kentucky cannot
but admire this noble exhibition OF self-denial.
Ardent friends and felow-members, he said,
have urged him to prosecute canvass Tor the
Speakership and assured him oil substantial
strength in the caucus but having made up
his mind that the only way to I" defeat the ma
chin atoms of tie protectionists WAS to with
draw his name and let Kentucky present
united front, he filings away Ambition, with
draws his name a candidate Tor Speaker,
and nj the solicitation of friends after mature
consideration, throws himself upon the altar of
patriotism a candidate for United States SEN
ator. Sublime spectacle, lie withdraws up
wards In the same generous spirit with which
he consents to be a candidate for the Senate
he wthdraws from the Speakcfship contest,
because he feels that he cannot with proprlety
stand for both places" So firm sense OF pro-
priety united with such selfsacrce Kentucky
has rarely witnessed.
Mr. Blackburn has improved upon tho exam
pie of General Durbin Ward, of Ohio. That
statesman and rcformer withdrew upwards, an
nouncng himself a candidate for United
States Senator after being candidate for the
Gubernatoral nomination, bu, it was not until
after his opponent had been nominated over
him. Mr. Blackburn withdraws upwards while
the struggle in which he was a candidate is still
in progress. We commend the example 10
other distinguished Democrats. Governor
Butler OF Massachusetts, for instance, may learn
thercfron the way TO Withdraw from the con-
test for denomination and consent at the same
time to all wv the use of his name ms n candidate
for President That would be \ tramp card in
deed. And Mr.. Samuel Cox also, wien Inc with
draws from the contest for the Spoakershp
might-but no when he withdrawal IL will be for
a good place OH the committees. 1t is a good
fashion. though-ths one of Withdrawing
UPWARDS,