The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-14
THE BLAINE LETTER.
rHon. J. H. Drummond.l
lcoNTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE


Is rendered to him. In my Judgment, he
means that his name win not be presented to
the convention by his procurement or con-
sent. He thus leaves the convention frae
from any embarrassment on account of any
claims he may be supposed to have for re-
nomination, or any wishes of his own. If
the convention, under these circumstances,
shall be of opinion that his nomination is the
best that can be made and make It, l have
no doubt that he Will accept 1t. His action
leaves the convention perfectly free to make
such nomination as it shall deem wisdom re-
quires.
Hon. A. A. Streut.1
Ever since Mr.. Blaine went to Europe |
have feared he would decline to be a candi-
date for President in 1888. in converse
ton with him shortly before he sailed
thought discovered good reasons for appre-
hension that this letter might be written. |
greatly regret his decision, not that believe
another good Republican cannot be elected,
but that feel that the times demand just
such President as Mr.. Blaine would make.
What we want is an American policy for
America and an American President to adj
minister it. England, France Germany and
all the great powers have adopted such a
policy as their situation and the needs of
their people demand. This country is great
enough TO have policy of its own and needs
not adopt that or England or any other ma
ton with Mr.. Blaine as President. feel
sure we should have such policy, ably and
prudently established and enforced. / be-
iieve Mr.. Blaine today the brightest and
strongest living American statesman. am
not surprised by Mr. Blaine's letter.
[Clarence Hale, Esq.]
'The letter of Mr.. Blaine declining to be
Presidential candidate is an open, manly
statement of his position, refusing to enter
the list as candidate for the nomination.
Probably no stateman has ever been so con-
spicuously and typically the leader OF his
party since Henry Clay. 1t has long since
ceased to be a question but that he would be
nominated by the united and practically
unanimous call of his fellow Republicans at
the next Republican convention. When
you ask me what the convention will do
now, am sure l do not know what to say.
The feeling of the party is SO strong that 1t
may be still that its representatives at Chica-
go will not be willing for other hands to carry
the banner, and will insist in placing it in
his hands, believing that Il his love for his
party he would sink all personal consider
ations."
81 was not surprised to see Mr.. Blaine's
letter, for l never thought he had made up
his mind to accept nomination. We know
now what his feelings are on the subject.
think that while Mr.. Blaine may, personally,
not desire a nomination, if he sees that he
is the one choice of the Republicans he will
cast his personal preferences one side and
act in the interest of his country"
rHon. Geo. w. True]
81 do not consider that Mr.. Blaine's letter
precludes his acceptance of a nomination if
rendered He simply leaves the whole ques-
tion to the convention. If the convention
should decide that he is the best candidate,
how can he decline!'
[Gen. Seldom Connor.l
81 am nut very much surprised by Mr..
Blaine's letter. 1t is plain and straightfOr-
ward and leaves his friends free to act in an,y--
way they see fit. 1t opens the way for an
honest expression of the sentiment of his
party, and have no do9h5. that it will over
whelmingly declare again for Mr.. Blaine and
he Will be forced to accept the renomina-
tion."
Edward P. Chase, Esq.,
lit will certainly make Mr. Blaine Presi-
dent
NV. II. Looney, Esq.l
81 believe Mr.. Blaine is sincere in his ex-
preston of determination motto be again
candidate. But will his declination be ac-
cepted as final and irrevocable? By many he
is regarded as the strongest candidate the
party can nominate. No man can command
the vote of the Irish American and labor ele--
ment in New York as well as Mr.. Blaine, and
the Empire State viii be the great fighting
ground of the coming battle. The last two
elections in that State demonstrated beyond
peradyenture that without the vote of a con-
siderable portion OF that element the Repub-
licans cannot carry that State. With either
Sheridan, Sherman, Hawley or Gresham as
a candidate / consider victory probable;
with Mr.. Blaine as a candidate | consider
victory certain"
Comments of the Press.
[Boston Advertiser Rep).l
Mr.. Blaine expresses clearly grounded
assurance in the triumph of Republican
principles at the coming election, and PROM
ises warm personal cooperation to that end.
The field is now open to any one who thinks
that he is the second choice of the Republi-
can party.
Worcester Spy (Rep).l
Mr.. Blaine's definitive announcement that
he will not be a candidate Tor the Presidency
this year is unexpected aid deranges all the
plans Of the politicians. Its first effect will
be greatly to improve Senator Sherman's
[Boston Post Dem).l
Mr.. Blaines latest proclamation from over
country through Mr.. Jones, the chairman of
the national Republican committee. that his
name will not be presented to the Chicago
convention, and then proceeds to restate his
platform and make his usual appeal. Few
who read between the lines will accept this
as withdrawal from the field. On the con-
trary. it will be generally recognized as bid
for d nomination without contest; for
nomination by reclamation, with no outward
appearance of its having been sought, which
his home managers, shaving received the tip
some time ago, have already industriously
set out to secure.
boston Herald Ind).l
The logic of his letter runs directly coun-
ter to the withdrawal which he announces.
Bangor Whig.l
The first question that will arise to every
lip, however, is, will he, with the views he
so ably sets forth as to the duty Of every Re-
publican, positively refuse nomination ten
dered him by the Overwhelming voice of the
representatives of the party, should they in
sist on marching to victory under the gallant
leadership of Blaine of Maine. As he says,
the party rallied grandly from the discourag-
ing reyerses of 1923, and the assurances for
Republican success this year on platform
of protection to American Industry and
American labor against the revenue reform
or free trade platform Of President Cleye-
land are most suspicious; but the people al
so recognize that large share Of the credit
for this very fact is due to the magnificent
campaign conducted by James G. Blaine,
hence the remarkable popular expression,
entirely voluntary, in favor OF his renomina-
ton.
New York Tribune.l
A letter from Mr.. Blaine published this
morning withdraws his name so far as it is
In his power to do so from the consideration
of Republicans for nomination at their APP
preaching national convention, This letter
is.no surprise to those friends of his who
have known how reluctant he has been from
the soutset to give the sanction even of
silence to such consideration. 1t is simple
TACT that MIR. Blaine was almost Qrag00ned
by his friends into the candidates. of 1880
and 1884, and that he has con stantly told
them that he would not be put into the posi-
ton of even seeming to seek a denomination
again. 1T has long been evident that nothing
but his own positive action could prevent a
denomination this year, and so he has finally
felt forced to say to the public what he has
been saying in private. We regret the deci-
sion profoundly, since we have believed that
he would command more votes in the doubt
full States than any other Republican yet
proposed. But various candidates, all ex-
celent men and deseryingiwell of the Repub-
lican party, are actively in the field and the
next few weeks may be expected to present
some unusually lively politics. May the best
man win.
New York Times Qnd).]
The submitting of Mr.. Blaine's name to
the national convention is matter beyond
his control, for it may be submitted by his
enthusiastic friends in spite of his present
statement and carried through to a triumph
ant nomination even against his later pro-
tests. What he would do, in that case, the
country is not informed, and the Presidency
of the Uunited States is an honor which
tempts ambition so nightly and so far tran
sends all the other compliments Of life that
no man may be said to have declined 1t I'M
til he has declared, as Gen. Sherman once
did, that he would not accept 1t even if he
wara a1aQtQd