Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-14
granted that Blaine has written the letter in
good faith"

CoLUNBu,s $ o., Feb. Is.
Governor Foraker said: II have long be
lieved, on very cre,litable authority, tina
Blaine would not enter the lists as a Presi
dental candidate for the nomination. Henc,
his letter is no especial surprise.
DEs MONIES, Iowa, Feb. Is.
Jas. H. Clarkson, Iowa, member of the
Republican National Committee and an ia-
innate friend and supporter of. Mr.. Blaine,
said: II have been expecting letter from
Mr. Blaine for some time. Ii is in line
with the letters that | received from Mr..
Blaine in November and December, which
led me to beliye and say at the National
Committee meeting at Washington, and af-
rerwsrds at New York that didn't believe
he would be in the field. The press of the
country led by the pursuing misrepresenta-
ton of the malignant enemies of Mr. Blaine
has refused TO believe the sincerity and un-
selfish attitude which Mr.. Blaine has held
toward the party. In 1854 he was not a
candidate and didn't really want it. l re-
ceived several letters from him in the winter
aud early spring. before the convention,
strongly expressing wish not TO run. So
far from directing his friends at the Ma
tional Convention, he had no communication
with them not a word passed between him
and any of them during the contest there.
The masses of the party, not the politicians
were for him. 1t was their moving forward
at township primaries and county, district
and State conventions that sent the delegates
TO Chicago for him. Before he went abroad
last spring he told me again of his settled
TO run, of his controlling wish
TO contribute everything he could
to the uniication and success of
the party in the election of 1888. But
the people still preferring him, believing
that he was defeated in 1887 by the treach-
cry of party politicians, as he was, have been
intending to move forward again and renom-
mate and elect him. 1t would have been
done but for this letter. His action now
shows anew the greatness of the man, and
his devotion as a republican. He has done
much to disarm enmity before this, but this
should certainly remove il all now. He will
be at the front for the party next fall. Blaine
republicans will be for the candidate, with
out any sulking, whoever he is. Iowa has
voted in three successive onational conven-
tions for Blaine, and believes in him now
more than ever. Now that he is out of the
field Iowa will probably present candidate
of its own. She has two strong and fit men
in Allison and Justice Miller. Both are very
strong in the State the senator, from his
closer relations with the people in later
years, gainining great advantage from that
fact. There will be no contest between
them. Allison is strong in all the points
where Blaine is strong, including the Pacific
coast He is exceptionally strong with the
business interests of the east because of his
level headed and sagacious career in Con-
gress for twenty-five years. Miller is known
as the trusted counsellor of President Lin
coin and all the republican Presidents since,
and as the first jurst of the country of the
present age. The Indications are now that
the party will take a western man. Sher-
man, of course, will move powerful into the
contest, under the new order. | believe the
country will respond to other men, and that
the choice, if made between western men,
will be between Allison, Harrison or Gres-
ham, with Rusk of Wisconsin, likely to de-
selop great strength"