The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-17
BLAINE'S LETTER TO JONES
Charles Emory Smith Rebukes the Men
Who Doubt Mr.. Blaine's Sincerity.
George W. Childs Would Refuse the Presi-
dency. Even if Elected-Funny Contro-
versy Over the Birthplace of Sheri dan.
BLAINE,s SINCERITY.

A Vigorous Assault the Men Who Arc
Impugning His Motives.
Philadelphia Press.
The malignant enemies who have relentlessly
pursued Mr.. Blaine with their venomous de-
traction now profess to discredit the sincerity
of his withdrawal They impugn his motives
in this step as they have in every other act OF
his career. They have always charged that he
was selfish, scheming intrguer, who plotted
for his own interests without regard to the in
terests of the party or the country. What! Such
a man voluntarily and sincerely withdraw from
Presidential contests No; such an act of
assailants were slandersrs, and they must
stigmatize it dishonest and insincers and
prompted by some sinister design.
This furnishes q fair test of the character of
their whole treatment of Mr.. Blaine, IL they
are unjust and false in this imputaton they are
in ali; and the truth in this is plain that
no candidate and intelligent observer can be
blind to it. Why should Mr.. Blaine write a let
ter Of withdrawal if he did not mean it! En-
tirely apart from his own character, the sur
rounding circumstances conclusive. With
out saying word or moving band, Mr.. Blaine
was sure to be nominated. He almost
ceedsd In 1876 and 1880 in spite of the powerful
Grant combination. He did succeed in 1884
with all the organized force and patronage
of the National administration against
him. This year he had nothing standing in his
way except some local candidates who would
He would have been stronger in New England
than ever before He would have had three
fourths and probably five-sxths of the New
York delegation. He would have had New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all of the Western
States except the three four which might
first have presented local favorites He would
have divided tho South with John Sherman. and
have secured the practically solid vote of the
Southwest and of the Pacific coast. In short,
without doing single thing himself he would
have had three-fourths of the convention, and
his nomination would have been SO certain that
it Is probable that by the time the convention
met no othsr name would have been presented.
Indeed, it was conceded even by the other
Republican leaders who have been named
candidates that il Mr.. Blaine wanted the
nomination he would have opposition. It is
no secret that Mr.. Sherman repeatedly said this
to mutual friends. Mr.. Allison and others have
said the same thing. Certainly one who pre-
tends to the slightest information about the po-
litical situation will doubt that if Mr. Blaine
had chosen to make q contest for the romina-
ton he could not have failed to secure it. But
il wasn't necessary for him to do that. 1t
was candidate All he had to do was simply
to keep still and say nothing and the nomination
was inevitably his With his success thus GER
tain what possible object could he have had in
writing b letter of withdrawal if he did not
mean its All the circumstances of the
pei and refute this imputation of his enemies up
on his sincerity, and they are contemplate
and false In tins aspersion as they have been in
all their assaults upon him. They are so mean
themselves that they cannot comprehend the
spirit OF a man who would thrust aside nomi-
nation within his grasp, or the elevation OF
character and patriotism which In carrying out
his personal preference would also show such
earnest devotion to the welfare Of his party.
MIR. Blaine has not only acted on his own per-
sonal wish, but he has wanted to free the party
from any mpled obligation to him. The hos
tile critics who dscredit the act do not stamp
him, but they brand themselves, and every fair
minded man will know how to Judge them.