The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-15
MIR. BLAINE DECLINES
Hs Refuses to Become . Candidate for the
Republican Nomination.
Chairman Jones, of the National Com
mittee Makes His Letter of Refusal
PubIic-The PIumed knights
Reasons.

following tomorrow:
Mr.. B. F. Jones, Chairman of the Nation
al Republican Committee, has received
letter from Mr.. Blaine declining to allow
his name to be presented to the National
Republican convention as q candidate for
the Presidential nomination. Mr.. Jones,
when asked whether Mr.. Blaine's declina-
ton would prevent his friends from nom-
mating him anyhow, said:
"As 1 am chairman of the National
Committee, do not think it would be
proper for me to have anything to say on
that subject"
'Do you think Mr. Blaine would accept
me nomination If rendered to him."
"I have no authority to speak for Mr..
Blair e, and have no conlectures to offer
on the subject. The letter speaks for itself,
and must decline to be interviewed on
the question"
The following is Mr.. Blaine's letter in
full:
FLORENCE, ITALY, January 25, 1888.
publican National Committee:
CI-l WISH luIOuSu yOu W Stdtc U tue
members OF the Republican party that my
name will not be presented to the Ma
tional Convention, called to assemble in
Chicago IN June next for the nomina-
ton OF candidates for President and
Vice-Preeident of the United States.
/ am constrained to this decision by
considerations entirely personal to myself,
of which you we're advised more than a
year ago. But l can not make the an-
30
my deep sense of gratitude to the many
thousands of my countrymen who have
sustained me so long and so cordially, that
their feeling has seemed to go beyond the
ordinary political adherence of felloW-par-
tisans, and TO partake somewhat of the
nature Of personal attachment. For this
most generous loyalty of friendship. l can
make no adequats return, bnt l shall carry
the memory of it while life lasts.
AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK.
Nor can / refrain from congratulating
the Republican party upon the cheering
prospects which distinguish the opening
ed with that of 1884. In 1882 the Repub-
hcan party throughout the Union met
with disastrous defeat. Ten States that
had supported Garfield and Arthur in the
( election OF 1880 were carried by the Demo-
! Gratis either by maiorities or pluralities.
The Republican loss in the Northern elec-
, tions, com pared with the preceding Nation
al election, exceeded half million votes,
and the electoral votes Of the Union,
divided on the basis of the result of 1882,
gave to the Democrats over three hundred
electors out of a total of four hundred aud
one. There was partial reaction in favor
of the Republicans in the elections of 1888,
but the Democrats still held possession OF
seven Northern States, and on the basis OF
the years contest could show more than
one hundred maj sjority in the electoral
college of the whole country,
But against the Encouragement natur.
ally following the adverse elections OF
these two years, the spirit of the Repupli.
rose high, and the Republican masses en-.
tered into the campaign with such energy
that the final result depended on the vote
of a single State, and that State was car.
ried by the Democratic party by a plura
E lity so small that it represented less than
one-eleventh OF one per cent of the entire
vote. The change of single vote in every
1000 OF the total poll would have given the
State to the Republicans, though only two
years before, the Democratic plurality
exceeded $4,000.
RALLYIEG vIGoR.
- The elections of 1886 and 1887 have
demonstrated growing strength in the Re
publican ranks. Seldom in our politica
history has q party defeated in Nationa
election rallied Immediately with such
vigor as have the Republicans since 1884
No comparison is possible between tht
spirit of the party in 1928 and its spirit
in 1857. The two periods present simply
q contTast-the one OF general depression
the other of enthusiastic revival
the results of 1855, ovel
those OF 1856 Z, in anything like the pro
portion of the gain of 1884 over 1928. it
would secure one OF the most remarkable
victories of its entire existence. But vic
tory does not depend on so large a ratio o
lncr ease; the party has only to maintain
relatively its gain of 1886 70 give to il
national candidates every Northern State
but one, with a far better prospect of car
rying that one than it has had for the pas
SIX years.
Another feature of the political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresisti
ole strength, The present National ad
miniStration was elected with, If not upon
the repeated assertions of its leading sup
porters in every protection State that nc
issue on the tariff was involved. However
earnestly Republicans urged that question
as the one Of controlling in importance 10
the campaign, they were met by the
Democratic leaders and journals with per
sistent evasion, concealment and de
Bial. That resource the President has for
tunately removed. The issue which
the Republicans maintained aud the
Democrats avoided in 1884, has been prom
fasntly and specifically brought forward
by the Democratic President, aud cannot
be hidden out of sight in 1888 The coun-
try is now in the enjoyment of an indus
trial system which in quarter of cen
tary has assured larger national growth
more rapid accumulation and
broader distribution of wealth thar
were ever before known to history
The American people will now openly and
formally ask to decide whether this system
shall be recklessly abandoned and anew
trial be made of an old experiment which
has uniformally led to National embarrass
ment and widespread individual distress
On the result of such an issue, fairly pre-
sented to the popular judgment, there is nc
room 10 doubt.
ONE THING NECESSARY TO SUCCESS.
One thing is necessary TO assure success
complete harmony and cordial co-opera
ton on the part of all Republicans-or
the part both of those who aspire to lead
and Of those who are eager to follow. The
duty is not one merely Of honorable deyo
tion to the party, whose record and vhoss
aims are alike great, bat 1t is one demanded