Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-14
BLAINE'S LETTER.
What Prominent Men Say About
II.
The Maine Delegation Greatly DiSappoint-
ed at His Withdrawal.
General Surprise and Regret Succeed
ed by Greater Determination to
Effect a Desirable Re-
nomination
WASHINGTON. Feb. I3.

1
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.
Following are the various comments and
opinions expressed by prominent men upon
the letter of sir. Blaine, Withdrawing his
name from the Presidential canvass. Inter
viewed by an Associated Press reporter,
! Congressman Milliken said MIR Blaine
cannot shape the action of his friends. They
will pay no attention 10 his letter but will go
ahead and nominate him"
| Congressman Reed said; 1T seems to me
that Blaine's deelination must be accepted
as final.
! Congressman Boutelle said blaine can't
/ stop the the tide that is setting for him any
more than Mrs. Partington could sweep back
the Atlantic ocean. The republicans will
insist on nominating him and he is too loyal
to his party to refuse to lead it,"
| Senator Hale said; Il am sorry that Mr..
| Blaine has seen hit TO withdraw. He would
have been nominated by acclamation."
Senator fawley, who is in New York,
said well, | am not surprised, and yet
did not expect this. | was talking to some
| of Biaine's closest friends only a few days
ago, and they had no idea that Blaine would
come to such decision. They did not ex-
pect anything of the sort, in fact were draw
ing plans for Blaine campaign. Still, as |
said, am not altogether surprised at Blaine's
action
Senator Allison said Il regard Blaine as
perfectly honest and sincere in his refusal
to be candidate. The letter was not, in
my judgment written for any ulteria purpose.
There is of course nothing in the letter that
ing him; but | do not anticipate any action
of that sort as Blanes withdrawal is final
and sincere"
Senator Frye said Il suppose Blaine was
entirely in earnest when he wrote the letter.
At the same time it contains nothing that
prevents the convention from nominating
him, and throws all the responsibility off his
| shoulders. If he should take the nomination
he could say he didn't force the party TO give
him the honor"
Senator Blair said: II don't understand it,
1t will be as difficult to find a man who could
poll more votes than Blaine in this country,
as it is to find hens teeth. believe Blaine
is sincere. We mus, look around for new
man."
Congressman Dingley said: Blaine is
honest in his refusal. | have personal knowl-
edge that he does not want the nomination.
His declination is no surprise to me. Blaine
was the strongest man we could have nomi-
mated. We must abandon all idea of his
taking the place"
Senator Davis of Minnesota, said Il hope
the letter will set at rest all reports that
Blaine is willing to sacrifice the republican
party to his personal ambition. He doesn't
Withdraw because he fears the defeat of his
party for he proves the contrary IN the letter.
He is sincere and Will be one OF the foremost
men to help the party to success.
Senator Aldrich of Rhode Island said IL
didn't share the views of some that the re-
tirement of Blaine would weaken the party.
| believed the result would be thorough unity.
and that the party will 90 into the canvass
with enthusiastic hopes of success. 'One
thing the letter has made certain said AL
drich: 1T will make the republican conven-
ton more interesting assembly, Aldrich
knew that some Immediately in the confidence
of Blaine had been advised that the letter
had been forwarded He didn't know the
time or circumstances of its publication.
Nrv YopK Feb l3
Ex-C,varuor Frederick Smytb of New
uamnsh;ra at thu. Fifth Avenue hotel said
~ believe that Blaine will be the next Pres.
,lent have read only a mart of the letter
Ia ly hanlf fn al In M
n,eseuteJ How can he nreyrnt his friends
from nominatiuo him? / have seen so many
candidates who didn't speciallv desire the
otJ;ca receive tbe nom;rat;nn and 20 many
,nx;o,s ones fail Inok at Daniel Webster
unnrv C,l.v and others who asnireJ tn the
bigb Office and failed to get the coveted
nrize while others who little dreamed that
they would ever receive the nomination, were
honored 1t paradoxical statement but
it seems that the Presidency comes to those
who least aspire to it. Lincoln didn't have
such high hopes of receiving the nomination.
| remember of introducing him to large
audience in New Hampshire as the next
President. | did it more in facetious vein
than otherwise. Lincoln was talked of for
the Presidency, but he then had no idea that
he would ever be nominated. Seward was
mentioned then more frequently Lincoln
thought that Seward would be the next Pres
ident. When Lincoln finished his speech
only six men went to the hotel to see him.
Zach Chandler or Bill Chandler would have
had more callers Lincoln, at the hotel,
laughed at my introducing him as the future
President. | informed him that he couldn't
tell what the future would bring forth. Now
Blaine, by declining, shows that he is not
seeking the place, and that will have ten
dency to strengthen him more than anything
else. great many people resent the idea
of man seeking strenuously for office.
/ What can Blaine do when his friends rise up
/ unanimously and nominate him? He has
/ not sought the office. He has not been a
candidate. The people have demanded him
to run He will be our next President,
think"
! Senator Chandler said. "Blaine's decis
ion il in accordance with his constant dec
lara,ions for a vear and a half made tn his
most intimat. friends. It has been taken
| because he has resolved not to undergo the
lahnrs and troubles and iucur the responsi-
biIities involved in a candidacy. Beyoud all
o,,est;n, tho decis;on ia sincere and irrexoca-