The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-14

Auburn, and leading Republicans declare
that they must vote for Blaine. 1t is eonsid-
cred mastery document, and to use the ex-
preston OF leading Auburn attorney, a
"true bill" The following are the views Of
a number Of prominent citizens Of Lewiston
Mayor Penleyl
Mayor Penley, Of Auburn, expressed him
self as always having entertained the hope
that Mr.. Blaine would be President, and he
was exceedingly sorry that he should have
written the letter at a time when MS n0ml-
nation was inevitable.
alderman Sturgis.l
Alderman Sturgis's views were substan-
TALLY the same as those OF the Mayor.
[Hon Hannibal Hamlin.]
Ex-Vice President Hannibal Hamlin ar
rived here this forenoon, and engaged rooms
at the Elm House. had briei interview
with him on current matters, but when l
took occasion to allude to Mr.. Blaines let
ter he said 81 have always summed news
paper reporters. | am apretty old man now,
and win not begin at this late day to give
my views to the press through an interview
er. If have anything to say for publlea-
ton il will come direct from me. With kind
regards | must decline to give my opinion In
regard to the letter." He had no hesitation
in saying, however, that he considered Mr..
Blaine one OF the most remarkable states
men, in point of diversified ability, that the
world has ever seen; that he believed ne
would subject his personal feelings 10 the
will of the people and accept the-nomlnatlOn
for the presidency In his opinion II mad got
TO be something more than simply the ques-
ton Of the acceptance of the nomination.
for nomination, he thought, as regarded Mr..
Blaine, meant election.
IHon. Geo. G. Wing.l
The Hon. George G. Wing, who was the
Chairman of the Republican State Commit
tee in 1884, and also chairman Of the Maine
delegation to Chicago that year, close OBJ
server Of political events, said that he re-
gretted very much that Mr.. Blaine had pub
licly announced his determination not TO be
the Republican presidential candidate this
year He continued, 81 feel that he would
have received the nomination by acelama-
ton, and that his election would follow.
The public have had the benefit OF nearly
four years experience since the last election
and were now in that condition Of mind and
heart not to again be cheated. What Mr..
Blaine says of the party and its prospects
for ascendency at the next election Is un-
dOubtedly true, and, under his leadership
would be certain and the result complete. 1
cannot say that / am surprised, for his
friends generally have been aware Of his In
difference in the matter; and while the DEM
ocratic press and party during all the time
the last election have been in state OIL In
somnia and have trembled in his footsteps,
(dlLnOuR0
ing that he was 'scheming" and planning"
for denomination, they can now rest easy
and devote some portion of their time IN
seeking forgiveness for their political sins
and in preparation for that defeat that Will
come TO them from the Republican party nn-
der some other leader. Mr.. Blaine IS the
typical statesman, the ideal American citi-
zen, the truest conception OF kepuDlican
principles and Republicanism in this whole
land the idol Of his party and Of the COM
mon people. / confess that cannot DelleVe
that they will allow this letter to be final,
but rather will take as true what he says OF
the probable success Of the party, tender
him a unanimous nomination, and then urge
him to recall his letter, insisting that he be
placed where his experience and fitness de-
mand, namely, at the head Of the United
States government.
[City Clerk MITCHELL
j. Wesley Mitchell, the City Clerk Of Au-
burn, said that II was matter OF great sur
prise to him, but he had no time to fully
make up his mind as to the meaning or the
effect of the letter; that he had now and for
a long time entertained a strong desire TO see
Mr.. Blaine President OF the United States.
He sincerely hoped that he would not insist
national convention. "My idea." said Mr..
Mitchell, sis this regarding second choice:
/ always supposed that Mr.. Blaine would be
the candidate and have never given the mat
ter of second choice any thought whatever;
and have no second choice until | have
stronger assurance that MIR. Blaine VIII not
be a candidate"
IF. L. Nobel
f. l.. Noble, who so eloquently plead the
laboring mans cause in the last legislature,
was called on. Said he: II am not In po-
sition to speak with any authority, otheT
than what appears from the letter itself.
am disposed, Of course, to accept his rea-
sons, but stili have faith that II Mr.. Blaine
receives the unanimous nomination at the
next Republican convention he will stand. L
do not think the party can do better than TO
make him our standard bearer. l am In
clined to believe that Mr.. Blaine has spoken
so clearly and forcibly upon the great, vital
issues of the coming campaign-the tariff
that the Republicans will perforce have TO
make his nomination unanimous. L do not
think there is any other man in TIE country
that can command such unanimous IN
dorsement. This letter was entirely unex-
pected. Mr.. Blaine is so thoroughly Alneri-
can and has such strong love for the prin-
eiple of party, and the party itself, that can
see in the letter he does not wish to assume
any position that would embarrass the par
ty, or hinder its entire freedom Of choice. L
have no second choice. am Tor Blaine
first, last and always
[Jesse Delvis, Esql
Jesse Delvis. ESQ.,, one Of the Oldest and
staunchest Republicans in the State, and
who has served the party in the State Legis-
lature, said that the letter was great disap-
pointment to him. ''In my estimation, said
he, "Mr. Blaine ranks with Clay, eafhouh GUN
and Webster. The greatest man In this
country, or any other, today, after Blaine Is
Horace @. Little, Esq.l
Horace G. Little, ex-postmaster CT Lewis
ton, considered Mr.. Blaine's declination. OF
insisted upon, most unfortunate thing for
'-o ~ [Judge KnowltOn.l
Said Judge Knowlton: 81 have read the
letter twice and still am unable to express an
opinion. Ordinarily letters Of that kind
would have no effect. III there Is strong
feeling, the people will override this one
We all know that Mr.. Blaine is one OIL the
best informed men in this country. believe
him to be a man of honest aspirations and
purposes. Mr.. Blaine's utterances are not
always understood in all their bearings by
the public. In justice to the party, he would
not express any opinion until he could say
something understandingly. Il hope that
Mr.. blaineI will consent to go before the
country on the vital issues Of which he Is a
worthy champion. l have as yet settled on
no second choice"
[Hon. Seth NJ. carter.l
Hon. Seth NJ. Carter, a member OF the
Governors Council, regretted the appearance
of Mr.. Blaine's letter. he could not say
that he was surprised at the action Mr..
Blaine had taken, as he (Blaine) had made no
effort to secure the nomination.
Regrets are heard on all sides. The
Republicans generally are hopeful that Mr..
Blaine's wishes may be laid aside, while
Democrats are surprised and mystified. Not
since the days Of the last Presidential cleo
tion has this community witnessed such a
lively interest in political matter and busl-
ness itself is very unsettled state.
The Queen City.
Especial to the Pressl
BANGOR, Feb. 13-The feeling among Re
publicans in Bangor regarding the Blaine
letter is all in one direction, and anything
like declination could not be considered
for an instant. Ii Is the general verdict that
he is stronger than ever with his party now
and the ablest candidate who can be selected.
Bangor citizens express themselves as fol-
lows:
Hen. Hannibal Hamlin.l
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin was seen by your
correspondent and appeared much pleased
with Mr.. Blaine's letter and, in his charac-
teristic manner, said emphatically: 1t was
the wisest thing Mr.. Blaine ever did in the
world" He agreed with others that 1t
would strength Mr.. Blaine with the party.
On being asked how Mr.. Blaine would be
nominated in the convention If selected as
candidate Of the party he said: 81 cannot
tell, but rather think he will be nominated
by acclamation."
GDr. A. G. Hamlin.l
DIR. Augustus C. Hamlin said: 81 think
public sentiment will not be changed by MI.
II I..as HwWaaa "a