The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-14
TAFFY FROM BLAINE.
He Does Not Want the Nomi-
nation.
AT LEAST HE WRITES TO THAT EFFECT

PrrrsBUKG, Pa, February l2.-The Pitts
burg Commercial Gazette will publish the fol-
lowing tomorrow
"Mr. b, f. Jones, chairman Of the national re-
publican committee, has received letter from Mr..
Blame decliuing 10 allow his name to b. presented
! 10 the national republican convention as a cand
date for the presidential nomination.
| MI. Jones, when asked why Mr. Blane's decl
nation would prevent his friends from nominating
him anyhow, said:
'"As am Chairman Of the national committee
t dont think it would be proper fon any
do you think Mr. Blaine would accept the
nomination if rendered to Hmm
y have no authority to sielk for Mr., Blaine,
ana nave 40 coujcctures to offer on the subject The
letter speaks for itself and must decline 70 be in
terviewed on this question:
Following is Mr.. Blaine's letter in fun;
Mr. BLAINE's LETTER.
FLORENCE. Italy, January D. 1s8S.--ro h. F. Jones
Chairman Of the Republican National Committee
Sir wish, through you, 10 state to the members Of
the republican party that my name will not DO pre-
scented to the national convention calt to assemble
in Chicago in June next for the nomination Of can
didates for president and vice-president of the
United States am constrained to this decision by
conscientious entirely personal to myself which
you were advised more than year ago. But can
not make this announcement without giving ex-
preston to my deep sense Of gratitude 10 the many
thousands OF my conntrymen who have sustained
me 30 long and 80 cordially, that their feeling has
seemed to 90 beyond the ordinary political adhcr.
ence Of fellow partsans and to partake somewhat of
the nature Of personal attachment. For this most
generous loyalty of friendship, | can make no ade-
quate return but shah carry the memory of it
while life lasts Nor can refrain from congratn-
lating the republican party upon the cheering pros
PEGS which distinguish the opening OF the national
contest in 1888 as compared with that of 1884.
In 1882 the republican party throughout the
81, IL NJ
had supported Garfield and Arthur in the election
1850 carried by the democrats, either by
maj0rities or pluralities. The republican loss in
the northern elections compared with the preceding
national election, exceeded half million votes
and the electoral votes of the union divided on q
basis Of the result of 1852, gave to the democrats
over three hundred electors out of q total OF .0
There partial reaction in favor of the repub
leans in the elections of 1855 but the democrats
still held possession Of seven northern states. and
on the basis of the years contest could show more
than 100 majority in the electoral colleges Of the
whole country. Butagain, encouragement naturally
follows the elections of these two years The spirit
Of the republican party in the national contest of
1884 rose high and the republican masses entered
into the campaign with such energy that the final
result depended the vote OF a single state, and
that state was carried by the democratic party by
plurality small that 1t represented less than
eleventh of one per cent of the entire vote
The change of a single vote in every two thou
sand of the total poll would have given the state to
the republicans, though only two years before, the
democratic plurality exceeded 10000 The cleo
lions of 1886 and sS7 have demonstrated the grow
ing strength in republican ranks Seldom in our
political history has party, defeated in national
election, rallied Immediately with such vigor, as
have the republicans since 1884 No comparison is
possible between the spirit of the party in 1929
and its 81 igit in 1867. The two periods present
simply contrast the one of general depression,
the other Of enthusiastic revival Should the party