The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-24
BLAINE DECLINES.
A Letter From Mr.. Blaine FOrbidding
the Use of His Name Before the
Republican Convention.

considerations Entirely Personal to
Himself COnstrain Him to This
Final Decision.
rITTspuRa, Pa, Feb. 12-Tbe Pittsburg
ing tomorrow:
B. F. Jones, chairman of the national Re-
publican committee, has received letter
from Mr.. Blaine declining to allow his name
to be rresentcd to the national Republican
convention us candidate for the presiden-
tial nomination
Mr.. Jones, when asked whether Mr.. Blaine's
declination would prevent his friends from
nominating him any how, said: As am
chairman of the national committee 10 not
think it would be proper for mo to have
anything to say on that subject"
sDo YOU think Mr.. Blame would accept the
nomination If rendered to him?"
Il have no authority to speak for Mr.
Blaine, and have no coniec;ures 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:
TENT OF THE LETTER.
FLORENCE, Italy. Jan. %, 1SSS.-B. +.
Jones, Esq, Chairman of the Republican
National Committee:
Sir-l wish through you to state to tho
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 United
States l nm constrained to this decision
by considerations entirely personal to my
self OF which you were advised more than q
year ago. But cannot make the announce
ment without giving expression to my deep
sense of gratitude to the many thousands of
my countrymcn whs have sustained me so
long and 50 cordially that their feeling has
scemed to go beyond the ordinary political
adherence OF fellow partsans and to p,rtake
somewhat of the nature OF personal attach
ment. For this most generous loyalty Of
friendship l can make no adequate return,
but shall carry tho memory OF it while life
lass. Nor can refrain from congratulating
the Republican party upon the cheering
prospects which distinguish the opening of
the national contest of lSSS as compared
with that of 1854. In 1882 the Republican
party throughout the Union met with
DISASTROUS DEFEAT.
Ten states that had supported Garfield and
Arthur IN the election of 1850 were carried
by the Democrats either by majoritles or
pluralities The Republican loss in tho
Northern elections compared with the pre-
ceding national election exceeded half a
million votes. and the electoral votes Of The
Union, divided the basis of the result Of
1852. gave tot Democrats over three hun
bred electors out of Il total vote of four hun
dred and one. There was n partial reaction
in favor Of the Republicans in the elections
Of 1885. but the Democrats still held pos
session Of seven Northern states. and on the
basis OF the years contest could show more
than one hundred majority in the electoral
college of the whole country. But against
the discouragcment naturally following
the adverse elections of these two years the
spirit of the Republican party in the ma
tlonal contest of 1854 rose high. and the Re
publican masses cutercd into the campaign
with such energy that the final result de-
pended on the vote of 4 single state, and
that state was carried by Democratic plu.
rality so small that it represented less than
one-elevcnth of per cent of the entire
vote. Inc change of Il single vote in every
two thousand of the total poll would have
given the state to the Republicans. though
only two years before the Democratic plu-
rality exceeded tl92, 900 one hundred and
uinety-two thousand The elections of
1883 and 1857 have demonstrated
GROWING STRENGTH
in the Republican ranks Seldom in our po-
litical history las party, defeated in mo-
tional election, rallied Immediately with
such vigor as have the Republicans since
1854. No comparison il possible between
the spirit of the party in 1928 and Its
spirit in 1857. The two periods present
simply contrast-the one of general de-
preston, the other of enthusiastic revival.
Should the party gain, in the results Of 1883
over those of 1867, in anything like the
proportion of the gain of 1854 over 1928,
1t would secure one of the most remarkable
victories of its entire existence. But victory
does not depend ON SO large ratio of in
crease; the party has only to maintain
relatively its prestige of 1857 to give to
its national candidate every Northern state
but one, with u far better prospect Of cur
rying that one than it 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, il not
upon, the repeated assertions Of It's leading
supporters in every protection state that no
issue on the tariff was involved However
earnestly Republicans urged that ques-
ton as the one OF controlling in
stance in the campaign, they were
met by the Democratic leaders and
journals with persistent evasion, conceal
ment and denial That resource the presi.
lent has fortunately removed. The issue
which the Republicans maintained and the
Democrats avoided in 1854 has been promi-
nentiy and specifically brought forward by
"" Democratic president, and
CANNOT BE HIDDEN
out of sight in 1855. The country is now in
the enjoyment OF an industrial system
which in u quarter of u century has assured
\ larger national growth. Il more rapid ac-
emulation ami BROADER distribution Of
wealth than were ever before known to his
tory. The American people will now
be openly and formally asked to da-
eide whether this system shall be reck-
lessly abandoned and new trial be
made of m old experiment which has uni
tormly led to national embarrassment and
widespread individual distress On the re-
suit of such an issue, fairly presented to the
| popular Judgment, there is no room for
| doubt One thing only is necessary to assure
success-completc harmony and cordial CO.
operation ON the part of all Republicans, on
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 devotion to
the party whose record aud whose aims
are alike great, but it is one demanded
by the instinct OF sclf-intercst and by
the still higher promptings of patriotism.
closer observation OF the conditions of life
among the older nations gives ole more
intense desire that the American people
shall make no mistake In choosing the policy
which inspires labor with hope and crowns il
with dignity, which gives safety to capital
and protects its increase; Which &C.
cures political power to every citizen
comfort and culture to every home. TIC
this end. not less earnestly and more directly
rs q private citizen than rs public can
didatc, shall devote myself, with the con-
fident belief that the administration of the
government will be restored to the party
which has demonstrated the purpose and the
power to WELD it for the unity and the honor
OF the republic, for the prosperity and
progress OF the people l am. very sincerely
| yours, JAMES G. BLAINE