Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-23
Mr.. uALsrEAD ON Mr.. BLAINE.
Mr. Blaine wiIi lie the "Lsader or
Eeadors.''

A Cincinnati special TO the Tribune says:
The Commercials Gazette will sly editOriaily
to.morrow regarding tue leadership OF
Blsiue:
sc doubt not thst the multitude o. mani
festatisss OF devotion that Dir. Blaine's
friends lave shown since his Florence letter
was published, aud the lingering hope that
be may yet be nOmieHted aud elected
President asserted uEder circumstances
most upiayorable-tke uudoubted express
sion OF his own will the chief OF
them--are grateful 10 his sensibilitles, aud
have touched him more deeply than any
other tokens OF public confidence and love
iR bis oKtraordiDsrV experience. But the
question what llr. Blaine will do and what
bis friends will DO that is asked ten thousand
times 4 day should not be Involved IN any
suggestions OF inquiry as 10 his sincerity or
hts integrity OF purpose. III Dir. Blaine had
refused to say anything from the first
that Is, irom the time he landed
In Europe-he would have been
nominated by reclamation in Obi
csgo. Re had no motive In writing the Flo
rance letter but 10 avoid the candidacy that
was drifting 10 him, and be knew that then
IS well as any one knQws 1t now. The de-
chualion Of SIR. Slaine TO be q candidate
was, OF course, criticised and doubted and
misinterpreted, as everything be does Is,
and yet IL was in stronger terms than those
used BY George Washington in declining to
be candidate for, or rather TO be elected TO
G third term OF the presidency.
He gave additional evidence OF bis sim
certify Ia taxing prsoiunons that prevented
toe detention OF the letter by personal
friends. He did not give Mr. Reid and Mr..
Ekins and aiF. Phelps aud Emory Smith
and T. c. Plat \ chance to hold bis letter, to
have his purpose considered, and TO be
troubled with teegraphic protests. but be
sent the commuuicAtiou to the chairman OF
the Republican National Executive Commit
tee, and made II the Official duty OF that gen.
tlemaa " ave IL 10 the couasry.
There Is something due, Of course. TO Re-
publican candidates who would not have
been in the field II Mr.. Blaine had remained
there. There Is due In this connection the
highest consideration for Dir. Sherman, who
authorized ASSURANCES 10 be given that II Mr..
Blaine Was = candidate, IL Blaine thought
the 1884 race should be run over agsia, he
tSherman) would acquiesee and give bin
cordial support, psremptorily declining TO
be a candidate 1t Cnlcago. Those VINO
imIgiue that Mr.. sherman or 'br Blaine
II in fixed fury 10 be President
are mistaken. 1t is true Of both that they
have been 80 uear the great Office and have
seen ho0 small u l., after all, IN some re-
spects, and bow unsatisfactory and full OF
trisulzt0ns and hardsbips, that its glory has
for thsm largely departed. why have hr.
Blaine's frisnds been so demonstratiye lately
and what Ia 10 happen at Cbiestos As to
Mr.. BisiEc's friends, considered as q
mass, II SHOULD be remembered that they
have been q sympsthetic aud compact
and in q sense an organized ssdy for
twelve years, bound by Tue sane ties, filed
with the Same hopes, animated BY the
same ambition, consulting, striving tesether
10 common end. Tae habit Of MAD aud
communion Il . power. They are comrades
Of grand army. In three successive Ma
scented two thirds Of the Republican con-