The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-08
eLAINE,S WITHDRAWAL.

4
The Opinion of a Paper Whose Editor n
Personal and Devoted Friend OF the
Maine Statesman.
MIR. Blaine's letter Of declination
will be read with profound regret by
millions of his countrymen. Many of
them will at first refuse to accept it as
indicating an irrevocable decision.
Those who have followed his standard
with sincere devotion will not soon be
reconciled to any other leader, while
his enemies, ayowed and secret will
be stricken with greater dismay even
than his friends. If they have not
Blaine to assail. if they can not impute
designing motives to him nor dissem-
mate calumnies about him, their oc-
cupation will for time be quite gone
They have for months been making
his supposed Unsuitable ambition and
selfish plottings for another nominal
ton the text of their discourse. Now
they must look for some other eminent
man in the Republican party to assail
Whoever he may be. the next candi-
date of the Republican party will not
suffer more contumely from his oppo-
nents than Mr.. Blaine. nor be less de-
serving of it than he has been.
The letter is sincere. 1t was written
without reserve. 1t will be accepted
in good faith by the people. The party
has no claims upon Mr.. Blaine that it
can seek to enforce against his private
wishes. He was honored with the
nomination for Presidency four years
ago. He accepted the trust and made
a splendid fight. When the election
was 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 I'M
complainingly sacrifices that no other
candidate of the Republican party was
ever asked to make. When the cleo
ton of Cleveland was established there
was no sincere Republican in the coun-
try who accepted the result with more
fortitude than Mr.. Blaine. We say.
then, that the party has no fur
Their claims that it can decently urge
upon him against his private wishes;
and since it is his desire to take his
place for time in the ranks as pri-
vate member of the great organization
he so lately led that desire must be re-
spected.
But Mr.. Blaine will be followed into
his retirement with the affection and
the mistaken loyalty of the masses of
his party. and he will not be permitted
long to remain there. Though he may
not again be a candidate for the Pres
idency the Republic will have further
uses for the services of so illustrious a
citizen. Whether it be in the Senate
of the United States. or in the Cabinet
of the next Republican President, o,
as Minister to England. Mr.. Blaine viii.
surely fill a large place in the history
of the United States that has not yet
been written.
There need be no discussion of the
particular arguments of the letter.
What concerns us chiefly are its tone
and general bearing. These strike us
as eminently candid. generous and
loyal As Mr.. Blaine feels that he has
the personal attachment of most
Republicans, he avows also his own
devotion to the party which has be-
slowed its highest honors upon him.
He believes that the prospects of Re-
publican success are good, and he will
contribute to that success whatever
may be in his power.
The retirement of Mr. Blaine, if 1t
be accepted by the masses of the party
as final-and, after time has been al
lowed for calm reflection, we think it
will behaves only one avowed "can-
didate' for the Presidency in the field
Hon. John Sherman; but from this
time on candidates will swarm in every
State; and with such men as Hawley,
Harrison, Evarts, Allison, Sheridan
and Gresham to choose from there
ought to be no difficulty in making a
wise and winning choice. Chicago
Tribune.