The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-02-22

III seems TO me that his friends should ana
will regard ii in accordance with his wishes to
drop him as n candidate and take some one
else. 1t Is splendid letter. Ii such thing
were possible IL puts Blaine upon a higher
pinnacle than he was before.
Representative Baker, OF Illinois, being
called from his seat in the House, was asked
for his views upon MIR. Blaine's withdrawal.
He drew hlmse.f up 10 hls full height and
said: Il have none TO give except that think
the candidate chosen should come from lndi-
ana, New York, Connecticut or New Jersey;
and one mln Oh the ticket should come from
Indiana.
Senator Stanford, of California; believe
that Bane's refusal to be candidate will
defeat Cleveland for the Democratic nomina-
ton. With Blaine as the Republican candi-
date Cleveland was reaso aably sure to obtain
every independent aud mugwump vote that
he receive i'll the last campaign and to gain
something more from the Republican ranks.
BY the nomination of good Republican not
Identified with any OF the old fractional quar-
rels OF the party Cleveland cannot hope to
poll more than the regular Democratic vote
in New York State, and that vote in my judg-
ment will fall off considerably on account OF
the recent free-trade message sent by the
President
Senator Hoar, Of Massachusetts,, said he
was thoroughly satisfied that Mr.. Blaine
meant all that he said In his letter. 1t cleared
the situation up considerably, and would al
low the choice of candidate at Chicago
without the heat OF passion or the presence
of personal prejudice to influence the conven-
ton.
Senator Dawes, of Massachuset ts-The let
ter speaks for itself, and / think it is entitled
TO be taken for what it says. was warm
friend of Mr. Blaine's and am still. think
the field is now open for the choice of the best
man.
Representative Cogswell, of Massachusetts,,
said he was very, very sorry to hear this. He
was an ardent Blaine man, and thought no
other candidate would have been so strong.
He thought the letter was unquestionably
sincere aud this fact ought not to be mis-
taken. @Now, what's the matter with Phil
SherIdan?" concluded the General.
Representative Davis, of Massachusetts,,
agreed with the general sentiment that the
letter was straightforward and sincere. DE
thought perhaps it would make things q
great deal easier for the Republican conven-
ton of 1888
Representative Hayden, of Massachusetts,,
thought the letter meant unquestionably what
it said, and it was beneath the dignity Of any
Republican to prefer to find double mean
ing in it He thought it could be taken as
positive statement Of his withdrawal from
the field
Gov. Long said: am very glad Mr.. Blaine
has declined to be candidate. Two years
ago 1 said at one of our Boston clubs that he
would do 80. 1t ID good letter. l have no
doubt Of its sincerity. 1t is creditable to Mr..
Blaine A great deal of uni just prejudice ex-
listed against HIM, and he has manfully re-
lieved the situation from all embarrassment
arising from the cause The last vesuge Of
personal issue thus disappears from the
campaign. 1t ID now test between the Re-
publican party with it's record and principles,
and the Democratic party with its record and
principles. Mr.. Cleveland, if he shall be
nominated, which is not entirely certain takes
his place as an average representative Of the
latter. We must, and we OF course shall,
nominate a representative Of the former.
trust Massachusetts, will commit herself to
no candidate, but send delega cation prepared
to select the best available man.
Representative Allen OF Massachusetts, did
not see why men were so skeptical as TO Mr..
Blaine's real meaning. 1t was only the deed
of justice TO take the statement as 1t was
made, and 80 far as he was concerned, and as
he found his colleagues (the Representatives.,
they were ready enough on all sides to &C
cept the situation and regard Mr.. Blaine on
the outside. No man has more influence, at
least
Representative Whiting OF Massachusetts,
said: Il have been great admirer of Mr..
Blaine for long time and l respect him too
much to believe that he would put his name
to such statement without meaning every
word of it. l do not see what object he
would have in dong such thing, at any rate,
when he practically had the nomination with
i'll his own grasp To do so, If he did not
mean it, would only be filling the field with
new competitors, and unnecessarily"
Representative Rockwell of Massachusetts,
accepted the statement and thought that it
made him all the more certain in his previous
belief in Republican victory in 1888.
Mr.. Manley of MaineIt does not change
the situation. Mr.. Baine's friends have in
sisted that he was not a candidate II, how
ever, the Republican Convention believe Mr.
Blaine liz the man who can best unite the party
and nominate him believe he is too much of
a patriot to decline. Having once been the
candidate and having been unsuccessful he
could not again seek the nomination He must
| leave the party fr5e to act He has no right
TO decline. Ii, however some other Republi-
can than Mr. Blaine should be nominated
Maine will vote for the nominee.
Chauncey M. Depew-Mr. Blaine's letter is
an able letter. 1t was surprise and dfsap-
pointment TO me. 1t is, L think, a surprise
and disappointment to all his friends. have
not yet had time to take horizontal view of
the situation. L feel sure, however, that Mr..
Blaine's friends will regret the step he has
deemed it wise to take and that ma Jority of
them will not consider 1t final Mr.. Blalne's
declination will not necessarily prevent his
friends from nominating Linn for the Pres
idency; neither will il prevent him from
accepting nomination should 1t be given
him.
Senator Eugene Hale-I think he is sincere
and means every word that he has written. l
can not answer the question as to whether /
had any premonitlon of his intentions Ill this
matter, but can say positively that Mr.. Blaine
was not anxious to run In 1884, and was urged
to do so. He certainly will not be a candidate
and you can see from his letter that he does
not decline because he thinks the Republican
party would be defeated Mr.. Blaine will re-
turn in June or July, and when the campaign
opens he will enter the field and speak tor the
ticket. There can be no other construction
put upon the letter than that he will do what
he says he will do e., decline to have his
name presented to the convention
SenatOr Allison COntant3 himaelf with say
ing that Blaine's expressions are unquestona-
bly, sincere, but that he would have to yield
to the demand of the party that he should be-
come candidate if it should 80 express itself
in convention.
Congressman Mason, of 1llnois--It must be
accepted as authoritative, and Blaine be
counted as out of the list of candidates from
this on. He is the greatest man we have, and
his withdrawal is matter Of regret; but it
must be accepted as me ming all it says. 1t
gives my favorite candidate-Senator Farwell
"a better chance. think Farwell is the man
for the place.