The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-14
PRESS COMMENT.
Views of Some of the Leading Newspapers
the Letter asd Its Effect.
MAY THE BEST MAN WIN

THE BEST MAN WIN.
New York Tribune
A letter from Mr.. Blaine. published this
| morning, withdraws his name ESQ far as it is in
his power to do sol from the consideration of
Republicans for nomination in their approaching
national convention. This letter is no surprise
to those friends of his who have known how
reluctant he mas been from the outset to give
the sanction even Of silence to such considera-
ton. It is the simple fact that Mr. Blaine was
almost dragoone. by his friends into the candl-
dacies of 1850 and 1884, and that he has con-
stantiy assured them that he would not DO put
in the position of even seeming to seek a nornI-
nation again. 1t has long been evident that
nothing but his positive action could prevent a
denomination this year, and so he has hnally
felt forced TO say TO the public what he has been
saying in private We reeret the decision pro,
command more votes IN the doubtful States than
any other Republican yet proposed. But vari-
candidates. all excellent men, and deserving
welt of the Republican party, are actively in
the field, and the next few weeks may be ex-
pected to present some unusually lively politics.
May the best man win.
THINKS IT AMBIGUOUS.
New York Times.
A variety of circumstances conspire to throw
visible shadow of doubt Mr. Blaine's
actual meaning. But. after all, the
one striking feature in the present political stu
alton is the extraordinary activity of the Repub-
lican clubs all over the country. These clubs
are Blaine clubs. The men who have organized
and who control them are Blaine men, and it is
gone forth and are still going forth to build up
these clubs and to prepare them for effective
work at Chicago in june and during the CAM
paign This conspicuous political fact bellies the
words which Mr. Blaine writes from Florence,
and makes his letter almost ridiculous. A
machine of such unusual proportions, so care
fully elaborated and put together, has not been
set up the chance that MIR. Blaine
would be candidate might be persuaded to
be a candidate, and it will not be taken apart or
turned over TO the service of any of Mr.. Biaine's
rivals merely because Mr.. Blaine has written
letter to Chairman Jones. stating that his name
will not be presented to the nominating conven-
ton. The Blaine agitation will go on merriiy
as ever in spite OF this rather ambiguous dis
claimer of presidential aspirations the part
of Mr.. Blaine. And if, when the Chicago con-
vention adjourns. Mr.. Blaine shall discover that
he ID its nominee, nothing will be easier than for
him to write another letter to Mr.. Jones. or to
Mr. Jones's successor. explaining that when he
was In Florence he really did not understand
the weight, and potency, and irresistible charac-
ter of the popular demand for James g. Blaine.
SHERMAN WILL TAKE HIS PLACE.
New York Herald
We part from Mr.. Blaine his withdrawal
from the canvass with entire courtesy and good
will I n the retirement and recreation he seeks
he has best wishes for his happiness. He
is too young man, even in this country of
young men, to think of final withdrawal from
leaders ready for the Campaign. New England
has. presented Hawley, with strong following
and the advantage of a meritorious 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 dis
turb Republican political calculations, John
Sherman will probably take the place Repub-
lican leader which MIR. Blaine surrenders.
TAKES HIM OUT OF THE FIELD.
New York Evening Post.
We think that dr. Blaine's letter to Chairman
Jones, of the Republican national committee,
does effectually take him out of the field as
contestant for the Republican nomination for
the presidency. We think that this will be tho
effect and net result of it. whether he SO in
THE PARTY CANNOT PUSH ITS CLAIMS.
Chicago Tribune.
The letter is sincere. It was written without
reserve. 1t will be accepted in good faith by
the people. The party has claims upon Mr..
Blaine that it can seek to enforce against his
private wishes. He was honored with the NOM
ination for the presidency four years ago. He
accepted the trust and made a splendid fight.
When the election over he owed the party
no more than it owed him. 1t had done all it
could for him. he did all he could in return. He
made cheerfully and uncompaningly sacrifices
that no other candidate of the Republican party
was ever asked to make When the election of
Cleveland was established there was sincere
Republican in the country who accepted the
suit with more fortitude than Mr.. Blaine We
say, then, that the party has no further claims
that it decently urge upon him against his
private wishes; and since it is his desire to take
his place for time in the ranks q private
member of the great organization he SO lately
led, that desire must be respected.
From this time candidates will swarm
in every State. With such men as Hawley
Harrison Evarts, Allison, Sheridan and Gresh-
am to choose from there ought to be no diff
Guilty in making wise and winning choice.
MAKES VICTORY BETTER ASSURED.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
MIR. Blaine positively declines to allow the use
of his name as candidate for the Republican
presidential nomination. That he could have
secured the nomination without effort or solicit
tation on his part there is doubt. His friends
have long felt assured that the honor would be
bestowed upon him. While the Globe Democrat
has long recognized in Mr.. Blaine man of great
ability public affairs and leader Of great
holiness and sagacity, We have not been
mindful of the antagonism which surrounded
him and which seemed to conspire to imperil his
election the nominee of the Republican party.
Hence we are frank to say that, In so far the
letter of withdrawal a surprise to US, il is
a disaereeable surprise. 1t seems to TO make
Republican victory more feasible and better as
sured and this, to us, is object of much great
er concern than the qualification of any mans
ambition or the elevation OF any man to the
presidency or to any other position.
A DELIBERATE CONCLUSION.
Mr. Halstead. in Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
There is no question whatever that Mr.. Blaine
has examined himself aud the whole political
situation, with reference to this matter, with
the keenest desire to reach a right conclusion,
and that he is thoroughly in earnest He has
had thrown upon him most delicate and
weighty responsibility. and has studied current
history and analysed his own mind in reference
to it. Tho combination of circum-
stancea nv which Mr. Rlaine was dafsatad waa
one that could ardy have been repeated and
his friends have felt that it would be glorious
privilege to fight that battle and high
and confident has been the combative spirit,
that there is no doubt that il not restrained by
Mr.. Blaine himself, il would have insisted upon
his nomination and carried it.
But the faultless intelligence Of Mr.. Blaine
has seen that he could not go into the field
again without confronting personal opposition,
reinforced by all the timorous elements in the
party and envenomed by all the ancient animos-
ties. and ha has concluded To disregard fhe.