News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-02-16
Blaine Declines to be q Candidate.

The announcement in the dailypapers
Monday that Chairman Jones of the
Republican National Committee had
received a letter from James G. Blaine
announcing his withdrawal from the
Presidential contest, and declaring
that his name would not be presented
at the coming national convention,
was undoubtedly a great surprise to
many. Mr.. Blaine wrote Mr.. Jones
from Florence, Italy, Jan 18TH, and
says his decision is based upon on
siderations entirely personal to him
self. Mr.. Blaine follows up this
avowal by reviewing the recent history
and present prospects of the party of
which he is a brilliant and distin-
guished member. He finds the situa
ton such as to encourage the strong
est hopes of success in the coming
national campaign, and co~ngratulates
Republicans upon the cheering out
look. Of course this declination is
received with regret by a great many
who believe Mr.. Blaine not only emit
tied to a denomination, but the strong
est man that could be presented. On
the other hand it must be conceded
that there are those within the ranks
who think his action a wise one, and
that with any of the dozen or more
Republicans of national repute as a
candidate, victory is assured. We
give below some press comments on
the letter:
The Boston Advertiser SAYS: Mr.. Blaine
expresses a clearly grounded assurance
in the triumph of Republican principles
at the coming election, and promises
warm personal cooperation to thai end
The field is now open to any one who
thinks he is the second choice of the
Republican party.
The New York Herald says: We ac-
cept the action of Mr.. Blaine as conclu-
sive, and, looked at from a Republican
point of view, it must be regarded as
wise, and we might even say magnani-
nous. John Sherman will probably
take the place as Republican leader
which Mr.. Blaine s~urrenders.
The st. Adams Messenger says: Mr..
Blaine's letter Will set at rest all doubts
as to his relations with the Republican
party. Under these circumstances if the
nomination should come to him it ought
to be respected as the voice of the party,
and if it falls upOn another it will have
the pledge of Mr.. Blaine and his friends
of cordial support.
The Troy Times y Mr.. Blaine vol
unfairly aud -uneQuivocally withdraws,
leaving the field and the prospects of
victory to others. 1t is a magnanimous
act which cannot fail to command the
admiration OF all Republicans for Mr..
blame He is not the man to rust in
i6leneSS. and we feel assured that he VIII
be found i'll his proper place, that of a
wise and influential counselor among
the Republican statesmen of the nation.
The Ph%ladelphia Press says: No n
familiar with the feeling which MIR.
Blaine has repeatedly and unreservedly
EXPRESSED to his friends will be surprised
at this u~tterance. 1t is only the public
expression of what ne has privately de-
clared for many months. Had he re-
manned in the field his nomination would
have been certain. 1t is now for the
party to deliberate well and wisely and
determine what its own best interests
demand and what leader can most sue
ceSSfully carry its standard.
The Free Press says: Mr.. Blaine. has
taken the course which will conduce
most to his own peace of mind and
health and lasting reputation, as well as
to the good of the great party of which
he is such a distinguished member, and
whose success he predicts with such con-
fdence. The party has half a dozen
statesmen and generals on any n of
whom it can thoroughly unite, and go
into the coming contest with unbrOken
front and the prospect of tnalS success In
the campaign, was never better than 1t
is to-day.
The New York Tribune says 1t is the
simple fact that Mr.. Blaine was almost
dragooned by his friends into the candi-
dacleS OF 1880 and 1884, and that he has
constantly told them that he would not
be put into the position of even seeming
TO seek a denomination again. 1t has
long been evident that nothing but his
W positive action could prevent a re-
nomination this year, II so he has
hnally felt forced to say to the public
What he has been saying in private. We
regret the decision profoundly, since We
have believed that he would command
more votes in the doubtful states than
any other Republican yet proposed. But
various candidates, all excellent men
and deserving well of the Republican
party, are actively in the field, and the
next few weeks may be expected to pre-
sent some unusually lively politics. May
the best man win.