The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-02-18
Mr.. Blaine Withdraws.

tional Republican Committee, has received
a letter from Hon. James G. Blaine, writ
ten at Florence, Italy, Jan. 20, declining
to allow his name to be presented to the
National Republican Convention as a can
didate for the Presidential nomination, for
reasons entirely personal to himself. The
publication of this letter has set the poll
ticians all agog, and there is much specula-
ton among them as to whether he means
what he says. Some think he does, but
others think he does not, and that this let
ter is only another adroit movement to
enable the writer the more easily to grasp
the coveted prize We incline to the opn-
ion that Mr. Blaine really means to retire
from the presidential field, and that he has
formed this resolution only after careful
and thorough survey of the situation. That
survey was not encouraging, hence his let
let forbidding the use of his name In the
nominating convention.
Mr.. Blaine, very naturally after such
step. which he knew would have depress-
ing effect upon his party, essays to take
cheerful and encouraging view of the ap-
preaching presidential canvass. There Is
an attempt at self-exaltation, covertly but
ipgeniously made, in his allusion to the
state of parties in the contest of 1884 and
of the year previous Notwithstanding the
Democrats could show majority OF over
one hundred in the electoral colleges he
reasons, as based on the years operations,
the spirit of the Republican party ''rose
high, in 1884," (under my leadership and
the final result depended upon the vote OF
one State.
This is true, but Mr.. Blaine leaves out
of view the fact that his party fights harder
in Presidential contest than in any other,
and that it was martialled under his own
splendid generalship and inspired by his
own enthusiasm, backed by enormous fed
eral patronage and the support Of over one
hundred thousand otiiceholders, who made
his cause their own, entering into the
struggle with the energy and desperation
of men who were conscious that it was
one of life or DEATH This adventurous aid
Is not now available aud the prestige OF
Dir. Blaine is no longer what it was, while
his probable competitor is stronger than he
was in 1884. These considerations most
likely constitute the true inwardness OF
Mr.. BIaine's Withdrawal from the contest,
but they do not appear upon the face OF his
letter.
With Mr.. Blaine relegated to the ranks,
who have the Republicans leitto bear aloft
their standard in the coming battle OF the
ballots? Not man who is his equal In
ability and all the qualities OF leadership
Who are they? Sherman stands foremost
in notoriety. Sherman, the ehuri, who
repels rather than attracts, and has about
him no personal magnetism. His candl-
dacy would revive the memory of his un-
savory connection with Eliza Pinkston, In
the fraud against Mr.. Tilden. General
Phil Sheridan, the dashing cavalryman,
not at all popular. Lincoln, who has moth
'>isg in common with his father but his
patronymic; mediocre, commonplace sort
of man, well enough in private life, but
with none of the qualifications for a ruler
of sixty millions of people. Then there
are Edmunds, and Conkling, and Ingalls,,
Senators Cullom. of ILL.,, and Hiscock, n. Il;
and Evarts, and Hawley, aud Allison, all
good enough for the respective spheres OF
life in which they have been placed, but
possessing no qualifications which specially
commend them for the Presidency above
scores and hundreds of their fellows. If
Mr.. Blaine is really out of the way, there
is abundant opportunity for dark horse
when the Republican convention assemblies
in June next.
We subioin few comments upon the
letter from some Of the leading journals OF
the country, Republican, Democratic and
Independent;
New York Tribune Republican and strong Blaine
0aner. This letter is surprise 10 those friends
Of his who have known how reluctant he has been
from the outset give the sanction even OF silence
10 such consideration Ii is the simple TACT That d r.
Blaine was almost dragooned by his friends INTO the
candidates. of 1850 and 1885,, and that he has CON
stantiy assured them that he would not be put in
the position of even seeming TO seek NOMINATION
again II has long been evident that nothing but
III own positiye action could prevent renomina-
tion this wear and he has finally ielt forced 70 say
TO the public what he has been saying la private.
We reeret the decision profoundly, since we have
believed that he would command more votes IN the
doubtful States than any other Republican YET pro-
posed
Now York U;ord Democratic: mir. Blaine's let
ter Is a sort OF farewell address to the Republican
shaye npder his leadership in 1881, and points out
lis possibilities, the whole winding up win pa
thec appeal IN behafof protection mas
made up his mind that he cannot be again nominal
ed for President and that II nomnaIed ne cannot
placed upon the document His friends, who have
doubted the policy Of bringing HIM into The contest
again, will gladly accept their release
New York Herald. Independent: MT Blaine
ventures upon many political observations which it
would scarcely be useful to discuss now. Inc one
fact which concerns the country is the formal and
remptory withdrawal from the presidential canvass
of the lender of the Republican party ana tne can
didate whose nomination for President was appar-
emily assureds We accept the action Of Mr. Blaine
as conclusive, and, looked az from Republican
point of view. it must be regarded Is wise, and we
might even say magnanimous. Mr.. blGinss nomf-
nation IA 1881 was mistake. aud such mistake rs
be should never have made. The nomination be.
ionSed to Mr.. Arthur from every sentiment of
ehiyalry to a noble President and OF approval ora
great administration. II was written by the Divine
eerees that 10 this man. with all his gifts and OPP
portnnites, the presidency Was not appointed, and
Mr. Blaine could not fail to rad The Republican
party has many leaders ready for the campaign
Kew England has presented lawley With strong
following and the advantage Of Il merltorions civil
and military career. In New York we have Evarts
and a score OF statesmen. The West will send many
candidates with John sherman easily In the lead
And unless the enthusiasm aroused by the name
and glory Of Sheridan should disturb Republican
political calculations. John sherman Will probably
take the place as Republican leader which Mr..
Blaine surrenders
New York Times Republican: I'VE have linger-
ing suspicion that Mr.. Blane's forecast of Repub
lican victory may not be. on the whole. entirely
satisfactory TO himself II in spite OF his glowing
predictions he really takes despouding view OF
the prospects Of the coming campaign. il may be
chat he will insist on refusing the nomination. We
should say that this yieY of the case would bring