Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-29
BLAINE VERSUS HIS FRIENDS.

We would be sorry for the use made Of
Mr.. Blaine's name at Chicago were it not
for the splendid opportunity it afforded him
to vindicate himself as man of honor.
There is persistence in matters of this
kind which, when carried too far, be-
comes indecent, and we are disposed
to think that the persistency of the
self-constituted Blaine delegation be-
longs to that category. Every man has
right to determine the use that shall be
made of his name. His name is his per-
sonal property. Blaine's name was used,
not 50 much to nominate him as to
defeat other candidates, and the man.
ner of its use lacked dignity; nor
was it calculated TO produce harmonious
feeling in the ranks of the party, and nc
greater misfortune can befall social OF
political organization than to have its
management pass under the control Of
men who are not large minded enough
to combine the following The whole
course of Steve Elkins, with refer
ence to Blaine, endangered the harmony
of the party. 1t was unwise, and has re-
suited Just as it deserved to result-in ig-
nOminious and disgraceful failure. How
ever, let it be understood that Mr.. Blaine
has covered himself with glory. He wrote
letter declining the nomination. 1t was
inconceivable to small minds, who think
successful politics means the practice of low
cunning, that he could be sincere. They
therefore continued to use his name. They
could not imagine higher quality in Mr.
Blaine than they themselves possessed
Learning of this, the greatest living
American wrote letter from Paris calling
attention of his misguided friends to the
fact that their conduct was placing dis
honorable Interpretation upon his letter.
Even then it was impossible for men of the
Steve Elkins breed to understand the sin
certify of a great mind. On the low,
marshy levels of saloon politics, and in the
basement of boss rule there is no concep.
ton of his h-minded sincerity. These
men found nothing in their own minds a;
all In consonance with anything like can.
did REIMBURSEMENT of all claims to a Presi.
dental nomination. 1t was utterly incon-
ceivable to them. They therefore pro-
ceeded at once on the theory that Blaine
was trickster, that his letters were shams,
that he was willy hypocrite and would
take the nomination if it was rendered to
him. To the eternal honor of James G..
Blaine be it said they were mistaken. For
once in American politics man has had
the honor to decline the Presidential NOM
ination. For once, at least, a man has
been found who did not desire to be the
candidate of any party for President, who
frankly disavowed his candidacy, and who
actually and really meant all his disa-
vowal implied.
That Steve Elkins at Chicago, who
made 50 much noise over his name, and
borrowed something of his great distinc-
ton TO give himself prominence did not
perceive this, is not at all to his credit.
No better definition of the difference be-
tween the politician and the statesman
could be found, than to say that the Blaine
of Steve Elkins' conception is politician
the James G.. Blaine, who wrote a letter
of declination, and meant it, is a states