The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-13
MURAT HALSTEAD ON MR..
BLAINE.
Letter OF the Former Explaining His
Change of Opinion.

WASHINGTON, May 11,-Murat Halstead has
written the following letter explaining his change
OF opinion regarding Mr.. Blaine:
CINCINNATI, May TO- 1884.
Eight years ago advocated the nomination for
the Presidency of General Bristow and opposed
Mr.. Blaine incidentally. Now | am not deyotiug
myself TO toll in favor of any particular nomina.
ton, though my expressed preference is for John
Sherman, and am not assailing either Mr. Blaine.
President Arthur, Senator Edmunds or General
Logan holding hem all in high esteem. Perhaps
nave changed my policy. profess to have prof
tied by eight years enlargement of experienced
During those years have been more deeply than
ever convinced that there is no reasonable hope of
doing any good with the Democratic party, and
have lost faith in the efficacy of independent move
ments. have had snare in the labor of holding
party consultations with few excellent citizens,
with the view of shattering both the great political
organizations of the country, and 1 want to spend
my time to better purpose. In this 1 perceive no
occasion for public regrets of private sorrows |
propose to support the Republican National nomi-
nation and it occurs to me to reserve my strength
until after the proceedings Of the convention.
The Journal with which am co nected is not at
war with any of the candidates, and believe in the
cause above them all. 1 am grateful to Mr.. Blaine
lor his large share in defeating the third-term
aggression againstlAmerican republicansm, and
zee! persuaded that in the atmosphere of suspicion
or 1876 some of us accepted too readily the theory
thst the smoke Of accusation against Blaine meant
Ghat there must be hidden fire, soon to break out
anu consume him. Whenever attempted to build
up the facts that were assumed to be the fuel they
failed to materalize | should not if he were the
know all that can be used against him that it would
be as Intellectual before the people at large in the
kepubiican party, and that there is no candidate
unassailable. Mr.. Blaines enemies, who are yio-
lent and exerting themselves to show that hard
things can be said of him, are not important, and
have mistaken their mission. / know Of some mat \
tiers in which Mr. Blaines assailants utterly in
error. President Garfield told me that at the first
of his cabinet meetings he opened business by say
ing to all. az he could that moment do without Of
fence to any, they would get along reacesbly only
by carefully limiting themselves to their own depart
ments of duty. He said Blaine acquiesced aud
complied with the suggestion fully and cordially
up to that day. 1t was the last day of June, 1881.
And President Garfield said Blaine was not respon-
sible for the New York appointments upon which
Conkling resigned; that they were his own, and
made under sense of duty to his friends and him
self as the President of the United States upon the
belief that when the shock was over there would be
better understanding. When l compare my
knowledge with the charges current against Mr..
Blaine about these transactions, and so often re-
peated that Iefutation becomes tedious free ia
believe that he has been falsely accused in other
matters, and know enough OF those who are max
ing business of hostility to him to be that if
the lines were drawn on them that they apply, they
could be made unhappy. / think our strongest
candidate and safest President would be John
Sherman, and gladly give President Arthur credit
for his admirable administration. But do not be-
lieye that the millions of Republicans who kindle
with enthusiasm at the name of Blaine have gone
far wrong, M. HALSTEAD.