The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-02-17
Blaine Declines the Nomination.

committee. has received a letter from
james G.. Blaine. declining 20 allow his
name to be presented to the National
Republican convention as a candidate
for the Presidential nomination. Mr..
Jones when asked whether Mr.. Blaine g
decliuatiOn would prevent his friends
from nominating him anyhow, said A.:
LAS l am chairman of the Nationa.
Committee, 1 do not think it would be
proper for mt to have anything TO say
on that subject" DO you think Mr..
Blaine would accept the nomination if
it were rendered TO him ?'' II have
no authority TO speak for Mr.. Blaine
and have no conjectures TO offer on the
subject. The letter speaks for itself and
L must decline to be interviewed on this
question" "
Following is Mr.. 3Iaine's letter m
full
FLORENCE, Italy, January 25.-To
B. +. Jones. Esq. Chairman Republican
| National CommIttee-Sir l wish
through you 10 state TO the members of
the Republican party that my name will
not be presented to the National Con-
vention called TO assemble in Chicago in
! June next for the nomination of candi-
| dates for President and Vice President
! of the United States. / am constrained
| TO this decision BY considerations eutlre-
| ly personal to myself, of which you
were advised more than a year ago.
But L cannot make the announcement
| without giving expression To my deep
sense of gratitude 10 the many thou
| sands OF my countrymem who have sus-
tained me so long and 50 cordially that
their feeling has seemed to go beyond
the ordinary political adherence of fel-
low-paTtisans and TO partake somewhat
OF the nature OF personal attachment.
For this most generous loyalty of
friendship L can make no adequate re-
turn but shall carry the memory of
IL while life lasts. Nor can | refrain
from cOngratulating the Republican
party upon the cheering prospects,
which distinguish the opening of the
national contest of 1SSS as cOmpa. ed
with that of 1884. In 1882 the Repub-
lican party throughout the union met
with a disastrous defeat. The States
tnat had supported Garfield and Arthur
in the election of 1850 were carried by
the Democrats either 10y msjorities or
plulsTities. Tie Republican loss in the
northern elections compared with the
preceding National election exceeded
half a million votes, and the electoral
votes of the Union, divided on .he basis
OF the result OF lSS2 gave TO the Demo
Gratis over three hundred electors out
OF total of four hundred and one
There was partial reaction in favor of
the Republicans in the election of 1888,
but the Democrats still held possession
OF seven Northern States and Oa the ba-
sis Of the years contest could show
more than one hundred majority in the
ELECTORAL colleges of the whole country.
But against the encouragement natuI-
ally following the adverse elections of
these two years the spirit of the Repuo-
lIcan party il the National contest of
1884 lose high and the Republican mas
ses entered into the campaign with such
energy that the final result depended
on the vote Of a single State, and that
State was carried by the Democratic
party by plurality so small that it
represented less than One-eleyenIh of
one per cent. Of the entire vote. The
change OF single vote in every two
thousand OF the total would nave given
the State to the Republicans, though
only two years before the Democratic
plurality exceeded one hundred and
ninety-two Thousand. The elections OF
1856 and 1887 havb demonstrated a
growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom n our political history
has a party defeated in a National cleo
tion rallied Immediately with such Wig
or as have The Republicans since 1884.
No comparison is possible between the
spirit OF the party in 1SS2-3 and its
spirit IN 1857. The periods present
simply contrast-the one OF general
depression, the other of enthusiastic
revival. Should the party gain in the
results Of 1888 over those OF 1856 III
anything like the proportion or the gain
of 1854 over lSS2-3 u would secure one
of the most remarkable victories of its
entire existence. But v:ctory does not
depend on SO large a ratio OF increase
the party has only TO maintain relatively
its prestige OF lSS6-7 To give to its Ma
tioral candidate every Northern State
but one with far better prospect OF
carrying that one than it had for the
past six years.
Another feature OF the political si.ua-
tiOn should inspire Republicans with
irresistible strength. The present Ma
tioual Administration was elected with,
IL not upon, the repeated assertions of
its leading supporters in every protec-
tion State that no issue on the tariff was
involved. However earnestly Republi-
cans urged that question as the one of
controlling Importance in the campaign,
thew were met 10y the Democratic !. .ad-
ers and journals with persistent evasion,
cOncealment and denial. That resourse
The issue which the Repub. leans main
tAined and the ID .mOcrars avoided in
1884 has been prominently and specil-
cally brought forward by the Democrat
&c President, and cannot be hidden
out Of sight IN 1888. The country is
now In The enjoyment OF an industrial
system which IN quarter of u century
has assured a larger National growth. A
more rapid accumulation and a broader
distribution Of wealth than were ever
before known in their history. The
American people will now openly and
formally be asked 10 decide whether
this system shall be recklessly abandon
ed and new trial be made OF an old ex-
pertinent which has unitormally led to
National embarrassment and widespread
Individual distress.
On the result of auch an issue, tairIy
presented 10 the popular judgment,
there Is no room for doub' One thing
only Is necessary - assure success
complete harmony and cordial co opera
tiOn on the part OF all Republiczns-on
the part of both Of those who aspire to
lead and OF those who are eager To fol
low. The duty is not one merely of
honorable devotion 10 the party whose
record and whose aims are alike great.
but 1t IS one demanded by the instincr
Va selL-inteIcSL ana Oy the higher
promptings of patriotism. a closer
observation of the conditions Of life
among the older nations gives one a
more intense desire that the American
people shall make no mistaks in choos-
ing the policy which inspires labor with
hope and cTowns it with dignity, which
gives safety TO capital and protects its
increase, which secures political power
toeyery citizen, comfort and culture 20
every home. To this end not less
earnestly and more directly as a private