The Republican journal., 1888-02-16
Mr.. Blaine Withdraws.

A DECISION ON PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS.
HIS LETTER TO CHAIRMAN JONES OF THE
NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
Mr. b. +. Jones, chairman of the Republican
national committee, has received the following
letter from Mr. Blaine, Gated Florence, Italy,
January %:
l wish through you to state to the members
of the Republican party that my name will not
be presented to the national convention called
to assemble in Chicago in June next for the
nomination of candidates for President and
Vice President of the nited States.
am constrained to this decision by consider
ations entirely personal to myself, of which
you were advised more than year ago. Bit
cannot make the announcement without giving
expression to my deep sense of gratitude to the
many thousands of my countrymen who have
sustained me so long and so cordially thar their
feeling has seemed to go beyond the ordinary
political adherence of fellow part>ans and to
partake somewhat of the nature of personal at
tachment. For this most generous loyalty and
friendship. | can make no adequate return, but
l shall carry the memory of it while life lasts.
Nor can | refrain from congratulating the
Republican party upon the cheering prospects
which distinguish the opening of the national
contest of 1883 is compared with that OF 1854.
In 1852. the Republican party throughout the
Union met a disastrous defeat Ten States
election of 1850 were carried by the Democrats
either by maiorities or pluralities. The Repub
lican loss in the northern elections. compared
with the preceding national election. exceed
ed half a million votes. and the electoral votes
of the Mon, divided on the basis Of the result
of 1852. gave 10 the Democrats over three hun
bred electors out of total of four hundred and
one. There was Il partial reaction in favor of
the Republicans i'll the elections of 1883. but
the Democrats still held possession of seven
northern States. and on the basis OF the wears
contest could show more than 100 majority in
the electoral colleges of the whole country.
But against the encouragement naturally fol-
lowing the adverse elections OF these two Years
the Si'iri. of the Republican party in the nation
al contest of 1854 rose high and Tie Republican
nasse entered into the campaign with such
energy that the final result depended on the
vote of single state. and that state was carried
by the Democratic party by plurality 50 small
that ii represented less than one-cleventn of one
per cent. of the entire vote. The change of IL
single vote in every two thousand Of the total
poll would have given the state to the Repub-
cans. though only two Years before. the Dem
ocratic plurality exceeded one hundred and
nnety-two thousand.
The elections of l>>6 and 1>>1 have demoi-
>trated growing strength i'll the Republican
ranks. seldom in our political history has Il
| party. defeated III Il rational election. rallied
Immediately with such yigor. have the Re
puhlicaus since 1854. No comparison i poe>i-
he between the spirit of the party in lS>2-3
and its spirit in lSSG-I. The woperod> present
! simply Il contrast-the one of general depre>-
! sion. Tie other of enthusiastic revival. Should
the party gain. in the results OF l>>> over those
OF lSSti-1. in anything like the proportion Of the
Gain of 1884 over lSS2-;i. ii would -ecure one of
| the most remarkable Victories of it, entire tX-
| i>tence. But victory does not depend on 50
large a ratio of increase; the party ha, only to
MAINTAIN relatively it, prestige OF lSNt. to give
! to its national candidate every northern State
but one, with Il far better prospect OF carry
| ing that one than il has had for the past six
| years.
Another feature OF the political situation
| should inspire Republicans with Irresistible
! strength. The present national administration
was elected with the repeated assertions Of IL
| leading supporters III every protection state
that 10 issue on the tariff was involved. How
ever earnestly Rel uhlcan> urged HAT question
As the one Of controlling Importance in the CALI
paiyn, they Were met 10y the Democratic lca'or>
md journals with persistent evasion. conceal
ment and denial That resource the Pre>iten!
has fortunately removed. The issue which tha
Republicans maintained and the Democrats
avoided III 1884 has been prominently and >ptci-
irallv brought forward by the Democratic
President. and cannot be hidden out of sight III
lsS>. The country is now in the enjoyment OF
an industrial system which in quarter OF {:
century has assured larger national growth. F.;
more rapid accumulali ion and Il broader distribute
tlon OF wealth than were ever before known Il
history. The American people will now be
openly and formally asked 10 decide whether
this system shall he rcckie->lN abandoned am
new trial he made of all Old Npern.ent which
has uniformly led To national enharra>> ment
and wides pread individual distress. ON the re
suit OF such an issue. fairly presented to tho
popular Judgment there is no room for doubt.
One thing only i, necessary to assure success
complete harmony and cordial cooperation
or the part Of all Republicans OH the par
both Of those who aspire TO lead and Of thost
who are eager to follow. The duty is not ON,
merely of honorable devotion 10 the part,
whose record and whose aims are alike great
l"bGt it is one demanded by the instinct Of self
interest and by the still higher pronptin@S o1
| patriotism.
y closer observation of the condition, of lif,
among the older nations gives one Il more in.
tense desire that the American people >ilal
make no mistake in choosing the policy whicl
inspires labor with hope ana crowns it witt
| dignity. which gives safety to capital and pro
tects Its increase. which secures political power
W every citizen. comfort and culture. to every
home. 10 this end. not less earnest, am
| more directly H> !: private citizen than
public candidate. shall devote myself. VIII
the confident belief that the ADMINISTRATION of til,
government will be restored to the party which
has demonstrate! the purpose and the power
| 10 weld 1t for the unity and the honor of Tho
republic. for the prosperity and progress o
TIE people. JAMES &. BLAINE.