Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-17
OPINIONS
OF Leading Republicans as to Mr..
Blaine's Defamation.


says II am very sorry he should have writ
ten such letter, because | think the party
needs him being the man who could lead
the party to "a victory more certainly than any
other Republican, and more particularly be-
cause more doubtful States, in my opinion,
can be carried by him than by any other man,
and thus not only help Federal politics, but
| special State politics. | believe several
States which no other person but he could
carry would be rendered certainly Republican
through his candidacy, and that is a thing that
seems TO have been entirely overlooked by
himself when he refused to become our
standard bearer again. | trust the conven-
ton will ride over his wishes as they did
| Garfields."
Ex-Judge Henry +. Rowland, of New
| York says: II don't consider that Mr..
| Blanes letter would prevent his friends from
! presenting his name to the convention, pro-
! vded the party sends out a universal demand
! that he should be the nominee. | understand
! his letter to mean that he will not himself
| be party to the presentation of his name.
Matters might take such a shape that as
patriotic and public spirited man he would
feel it his duty to accept the nomination, if ii
were rendered him. Undoubtedly Mr.. Blaine
is the strongest man in the party. There are
last ran. who would be enthusiastic in his
support, if he were again nominated
Ex-Justice Noah Davis says: ut is the
letter of patriot and statesman; a genuine
expression of his intention aud desire. No
true lover of his country can read it without
conviction of the truthfulness and the noble
nature of the man who wrote it. The people
will receive it with regret. for every Demo
crat who is truly patriotic must feel that if
his own candidate cannot succeed it is better
for the country to have Il Republican Presi
dent who is SO thoroughly statesman and so
absolutely a lover of America; and every
| Republican must realize how great loss to
his party and its principles results from the
withdrawal of such candidate"
jesse Seligman, the wealthy and we'll
known New York Banker says: 1T was
letter such only great statesman could
write 1t has strengthened my admiration
for Mr.. Blaine, and hope that he will be the
next President of this country. | am conf
dent that if he should be nominated by ac-
clamation, he would sacrifice his personal
feelings in favor of his party and his country,
He is thoroughly American in thought and
feeling, and his visit to Europe has fitted him
still more for the management of National
affairs"
Allen Thorndike, editor and publisher of
the North American Review says: Il see no
reason whatever to question Mr. Blaine's
sincerity in the matter. My belief i. en-
forced by the views which he expressed TO
me before he left for Europe. In regard to
the effect of his letter on the coming Nation
al Convention that question will be easier to
answer in a few weeks Mr.. Blaine has new
cr been anxious for the denomination.
= T
League of Republican Clubs-Mr. Blaine
means just what he says in his letter. If the
Republicans unanimously demand him as
their candidate he may sacrifice his own per-
sonal desires and accept nomination.
| congressman s. V. White: Mr.. Blaine
believe, is thoroughly in earnest, Intrenched
in the good will aud affections of the people
of his country he has no need to ask for n
new honor or higher one than that of his
great citizenship. Yes. Mr.. Blaine is in
earnest. Only you know, that sometimes
ones country rises superior to personal wish
es and though there may be hesitancy upon
| MIR. Blanes own part, a summons might
come from the grand old party that would
have the spirit of command in it.
Carl SchuRz The letter does not seem to
me to be a withdrawal of Mr.. Blaine's condi-
dacy. 1t is too early yet to figure on the eff
feet Mr.. Blaine's withdrawal will have on
the National Convention"
Gen. Roger A. Pryor believe Mr. Blaine
declines nomination in good faith but,
still his party might insist on his candidacy.
and if this be done with unanimity believe
he would accept nomination. Whether he
would be elected depends on the effect of the
tariff issue, which evidently will control the
canvass
lie Grand b. Cannon, a wealthy and lead
| ing Republican SAYS: The letter is an ex-
celent and interesting and in keeping
with my estimate of the man. He is pure.
upright and sagacious statesman, strongly
| National in his views and sentiments real
| American. | regret exceedingly that for per
sonal or any other considerations the country
will be deprived of the opportunity of elect
ing him President, it would do if he were
again candidate. | have followed the
career of Mr.. Blaine with great care, and
critically examining his record, and my de-
liberate opinion is that he is a man of the
highest ability and the most steadfast charac-
ter. What the effect of his letter will be is
more than can tell, but am still in favor
of his nomination.
| F. b. Thurscr, wealthy merchant says
Il thought, after reading the first portions of
the letter, that it was a political document,
but impressed more favorably when had
| glanced over the latter portions. | have no
doubt that Mr.. Blaine would accept the nomi-
nation if he were convinced that the interests
of the country demanded it"
Robert Payne 1t is very much to be re-
| GREETED that Mr.. Blaine has withdrawn. He
is the strongest man in the party today, and |
think strong inducements will be held out TO
him to reconsider his determination, and
think he will do So"
The Tribune speaks of the general dsap-
poirtment among the Brooklyn Republicans.
While his determination was regarded as final
on his part. it was said by many that the voice
of the Republicans next June would be so
loud and imperative for Mr.. Blaines renomi
nat, on that he would have TO accept, unless |
physically disabled.
F. r. Kennedy, the new Park Commission |
er, said II have known for some time from
a relative of Mr.. Blaine that his family OPP |
poses the idea of his denomination and that
he is thoroughly in earnest in what he says.
Jesse johnson said That is the large, |
strong, patriotic letter of great, patriotic
man, who believes in the Republic and in
the Republican party. and will labor for its
success, no matter who the standard bearer
NAV be.
Theodore b. Willis, chairman of the Re-
publican Campaign Committee, said AS
view it, Mr.. Blaine wants the people to see
that he is not seeking denomination. But
there is nothing, TO my mind, in that letter,
to prevent the people of America from nom-
mating him.
Major F.. H. Hobbs said that after Blaine