Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-22
From The Kansas Chief.
Two Parties to the Contract.

We notice that those persons and news
hostility to Blaine, have great admiration
for his letter Of declinntion, and hold him
to be- such an honorable man that he
meant Just what he said. They think
that Blaine's superseryceahlc friend" and
his ''fool friends" are doing him great
wrong in continuing To urge his nomina-
ton, in spite of his refusals. We are one
of those .fool friends" and every day
that passes reveals more of the same sort
many of them pretty well up in ability
and influence.
Nobody disputes or doubts that Blaine
was in earnest when he wrote that letter,
or meant Just what he said, as far ~ his
wishes went, or his power to enforce
these wishes. But a man who has
achieved such prominence rs Blaine has,
does not belong exclusively to himself,
and cannot do rs he pleases. His party
and the public have claims upon him,
which are stronger than any personal
wishes of his own. If his party calls, and
refuses to accept his denial, he must obey.
This may yet he done in Mr. Blaine'S case.
Upon this point, the New York Tribune
lays down the correct doctrine. Ii says: :
The question has passed beyond Mr..
Blaine's reach. What he wants, the country
knows. What the Republican party wants,
il will determine in convention after due con-
sideration. II it finds a candidate upon
10 ,f
the nomination of that candidate will be
heartily made and supported. But Mr..
Blaine cannot answer for the party on that
point, nor can individual members, until its
voters have expressed their wishes in the
selection of delegates. Ii is fortunate for
the party and for the country that there is to
be the kindest hut most candid examination
of the merits and prospects of different can
didates, so that elements of strength or of
weakness in each case may be duly weighed
Some people are anxious to know what
Mr. Blaine's friends propose. The question
is a foolish one. Whoever has hi. eyes open
can see that Mr.. Blaine's friends are much
divided Some of them prefer one candidate
and some another; some have as yet eN-
pressed no choice, while others have stated
tbwh. they believe the nomination of Mr.
BlsGinnSi, liz spite of his objection, the wisest
thing that could be done. When delegates
come together, charged with messages from
5000, 900 voters who are now, even more
than they were in 1884, friends of Mr..
Blaine" there will probably be agreement,
but he who feels most confident what the
agreement will be is not necessarily the
most likely TO be correct.
The Baltimore News also states the
same truth with regard to any prominent
man in any party. when it says;
If the Republican party demands either
Mr.. Childs MIR. Blaine, Mr.. Sherman, or
any one else to stand for it, he must submit.
If the Democratic party commands Mr..
Cleveland. Mr.. Hill, or any other to stand
for it, he must comply. no matter what his
convictions or personal inclinations.
We are not without noted preeedents.
The Democratic National Convention of
1868 met in New York city, and was pre-
sided over by Horatio Seymour, who was
the favorite of large portion of his party
for the Presidency. There was strong
rivalry between several aspirants, who