Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-13
His Letter to Chairman Jones, of the National Committee. in Which He De clares He is Not in the Race for Pres. ident.
PITTsBURG, Feb 13-The Commercial Gazette of this city publishes the following to

\ giving expression to my deep sense of grati- tude to the many thousands of ny country men who have sustained me so long and SC cordially that their feeling has seemed to go beyond the ordinary political adherence of fellow partisans, and to partake somewhat of the nature of personal attachment. For this most generous loyalty of friendship can make no adequate return, but shall carry the memory of it while life lasts
 Nor can refrain from congratulating the Republican party upon the cheering pros poets which distinguish the opening of the na- tiona1 contest of 1888 as compared with that of 1884. In 1882 the Republican party through out the Union met with disastrous defeat. Ten states that had supported Garfield and Arthur in the election of 1880 were carried by the Democrats either by majorities or plu- ralities. The Republican loss in the northern elections compared with the preceding na- Gonal election exceeded 5OO, 900 votes, and the electoral votes of the Union, divided on the basis of the result of 1882, gave to the Demo crats over 300 electors out of total of 401. There was partial reaction in favor of the Republicans in the elections of 1883, but the Democrats still held possession of seven north ern states, and on the basis of the years con- test could show more than 100 majority in the electoral colleges of the whole country.
 But against the discouragement naturally following the adverse elections of these two years the spirit of the Republican party in the national contest of 1884 rose high, and the Republican masses entered into the campaign with such energy that the final result de- pended on the vote of single state, and that state was carried by the Democratic party by plurality so small That it represented less than one-eleventh of i per cent. of the entire vote The change of a single vote in every 2,0O0 of the total poll would have given the state to the Republicans, though only two years before the Democratic plurality ex- ceeded 192, ,0OO.
 The elections of 1886 and 1887 have demon strated growing strength in the Republican ranks. Seldom in our political history has a party, defeated in national election, rallied immediately with such vigor as have the Re- publicans since 1884. No comparison is possi- ble between the spirit of the party in 1s82-3 and its spirit in 18S6-7. The ;wo periods present simply contrast-the one of general depression the other of enthusiastic revival Should the party gain, in the results of 1888 over those of 1SS6-7, in anything like the pro portion of the gain of 1884 over 1sS2-3, it would secure one of the most remarkable victories of its entire existence But victory does not depend on so large ratio of increase; the party has only to maintain relatively its prestige of 1S867 to give to its national can didate every northern state but one, with a far better prospect of carrying that one than it has had for the past six years
 Another feature of the political situation should inspire Republicans with irresistible strength. The present national administra- tion was elected with, if not upon, the repeated assertions of it's leading supporters in every protection state that no issue on the <cr~S 1y,xy@ publicans urged that question as one of con- trolling importance in the campaign they were met by the Democratic leaders and journals with persistent evasion, con- cealment and denial. That resource the president has fortunately removed. The issue which the Republicans maintained and the Democrats avoided in 1884 has beeen prominently and specifically brought forward by the Democratic president, and cannot be hidden out of sight in 1888. The country is now in the enjoyment of an indus trial system which in quarter of a.century has assured larger national growth, more rapid accumulation and a broader distribu- Hon of wealth than were ever before known to history. The American people will now be openly and formally asked to decide whether this system shall be recklessly abandoned and . new trial be made of an old experiment.
 
 rass1nent and widespread individual distress. On the result of such an issue, fairely pre- sented to the popular judgment, there is no room for doubt
 One thing only is necessary to assure sue eess-complete harmony and cordial CO., operation on the part of all Republicans-on the part both of those who aspire to lead and of those who are eager to follow. The duty is not one merely of honorable devotion to the party whose record and whose aims are alike great, but it is one demanded by the instinct of self interest and by the still higher prompt mgs of patriotism.
 A closer observation of the conditions of life among the older nations gives one more intense desire that the American people shall make no mistake ill choosing the policy which inspires labor with hope and crowns it with dignity, which gives safety to capital and protects its increase, which secures political power to every citizen, comfort and culture to every home. To this end not less earnestly and d.more directly as private citizen than as public candidate, I shall devote myself, with the confident belief that the administration of the government will be restored to the party which has demonstrated the purpose and the power to wield it for the unity and the honor of the republic, for the prosperity and prog ress of the people, I am, very sincerely yours JAMES G. BLAINE 1 Mr. Jones, when asked whether Mr. Blaine's declination would prevent his friends iron, nominating him anyhow, said:
 "As am chairman ot the national com. ulittee, do not think it would be proper fos me to have anything to say on that subject ,
 ''Do you think MT. Blaine would accept the nomination if rendered to him9'
 1T have no authority to speak for Mr, l Blaine and have no conjectures to offer on, the subject The letter speaks for itself. and 1 must decline to be interviewed on this oues tton.h
 Made Them Drink Rough dn Hats. l MACON, Ga, Feb 13.-Rnth wodl.n i. nHgress living in Joies county, .aboua tas miles from here, nixad some Rough eh Rats with water and made her two Iuughtars. athH and respectively, drihk of it S1tA tiaeu drank what was left Tue mothhr and eN1sdl daughter died, but the othm. ctftH Ws3 sstS1nsdj st1sdj