The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-16
MIR. blame Not a Candidate.

MIR. Blame Not Candidate.
The letter of Mr.. Blaine, addressed to
Hon. b. F. Jones, chairman CT the Ma
tional Republican Committee, formally
announces that his name will not be pre-
scented to the Republican Convention
which will convene in Chicago on the 18Th
of June next. This determination OF the
statesman will be read with
regret by thousands of ardent friends and
admirers throughout the country. 10
them it will appear as voluntary renun-
citation of The Presidency, for his noml-
nation was only a question of choice with
himself, and bis election as we'll assured
as any event of the future could be. 1t Is
true that the Presidency could add moth
ing to his fame or more securely entrench
him in the esteem and devotion of his
courtrymen. nor could there be any ade-
uuate compensation in the office for the
strain and worry and excitement Of an
other fierce and bitter campaign. His hold
upon the confidence of the American pe0-
pie was so signally illustrated four years
ago in the unprecedented vote cast Tor
him, that it is only necessary to refer to
it to appreciate his strength before the
country. 1t was not by the deliberate
Judgment of the American people that he
is not now filing the Executive chair OF
the Nation. but because of accidental &C.
currences at inopportune times and under
anomalous circumstances, by which be
lost the electoral vote of New York on the
largest vote ever cast in that state. 10y a
hare one Thousand majority. But We pre-
sume his announcement is final. and his
friends will have to look elsewhere for
representative man OF the American
thought and inspiration which have been SO
prominently and forcefully emphasized III
his public career if they do not take the
matter in hand. and giving expression 10
the wishes of the party, force the nomlna-
ton upon him.
Other tried and trusted Republicans
there are who may now hes urged TO the
front. but no one who can fill the measure
of Mr.. Blaine in the eyes and affections
of the great mass of his party. II Will, IN
deed. be difficult to make selection that
will appeal so strongly 10 the aIdor anc
devotion of the people. and draw to The
Republican standard bearer that uncer
tain element which he would certainl!
have commanded. HIS witbGraWalneces
sarily confuses calculations, both as K
the nomination and election OF the one
who NAV be chosen. Certain it is that nc
enemy of Mr.. Blaine. nor no one who i
the friend of his enemies, or who ha
shaped his canvass under the auspices o
his enemies or entrusted his cause 10 IN
malignant revilers and INSCRIPTIONS sian
dererers of this great American statesman
will ever have placed in his hand the ban
ner so grdndly and bTavely upheld by MI
Blaine in 1854 His friends Will see to /
that his name and fame suffer no detrl
ment in the result Of the Convention. ant
that although not himself a candidate, hi
Influence will be felt in the choice tina
will be made, whether i'll the selection Q
Harrison, Allison Foraker, or some othe
Republican whose name will not imply
conspiracy against the beloved chieftai
who voluntarily casts aside the creates
honor that ever crowned the ambition o
mortal man.
In the light of the authoritative utter
ances CT this letter and the expressions o
admiration and confidence 1t has evoke
from every part of tile country and iron
the most distinguished members OF tn
Republican party, what must be though
of the personal and confidential circula
published lsewhere, and the attempt t
defame the character and asperse the nam
of this great representative Republican,
the idol of his'party and the most brillian
exponent of its principles
We leave it to the Republicans Of Vii
ginia to give the answer.