The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1888-02-17
BLAINE WiTHDRAWS.


His Determination Not to Allow His
Name to Be Presented As a Pre- idential
Candidate Before the Republican Con-
yention-Text of His Letter.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, Feb 13-The CONNER
cia!-Gazette publishes the following: Mr. B.
/. Jones. chairman of the National Repub-
I ncan Committee, has received letter from
Mr. Blaine declining to allow his name to
be presented to the Nat onal Republican
convention as a candidate for the Presi-
dency Following is Mr. Blaines letter in
full.
FLORENCE. Italy, Jan. a5, 1SSS.-B. f. Jones'
Esq, Chairman of the Republican National Com
nautee-Sir: 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 ana Vice President Of the United
States
y am constrained to this decision by con-
siderations entirely personal to myself, of
which you were advised more than year ago.
But can not make the announcement without
giving expression to my deep sense of
gratitude to- the many thousands of my
countrgmen who have sustained me so long
and SO cordially that their feeling has seemed
to go beyond the ordinary political adherence
of fellow partisans and to take somewhat of
the nature OF personal attachment For this
most generous loyalty of friendship can make
no adequate return, but shall carry the mem
DRY of it while life lasts.
Nor can I refrain from congratulatng the
Republican party upon the cheering prospects
Which distinguish the opening of the National
contest OF 1888 as compared with that of
1881. In 1882 the Republican party through.
out the Union met with disastrous de-
feat Ten States that had supported Gar
field and Arthur in the election of 1880 were
carried by the Democrats either by majorites
orrluralites. The Republican loss in the North
ern elections compared with the preceding Ma
tional election exceeded half million votes,
and the electoral votes of the Union, divided
on the basis of the result of 1882, gave to the
Democrats over 800 electors out OF a total of
491. There was partial reaction in favor of
the Republicans in the elections of 1885, but the
Democrats still held possession of seven North
ern States, and on the basis Of the years con-
test could show more than 100 majority in the
electoral colleges of the whole country.
"But against the Encouragement naturally
following the adverse elections of these two
years the spirit of the Republican party in the
National contest of 1884 rose high, and the
Republican masses entered into the cam
paign with such energy that the final result
depended on the vote of a single State, and
that State was carried by the Democratic
party by plurality so small that it represented
less than Iii of per cent of the entire vote.
The change of single vote in every 1000 OF
the total poll would have given the State to
the Republicans. though only two years before
the Democratic plurality exceeded 10000.
THE elections of 1886 and 1887 have demon.
strated growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom in our political history has
party, defeated in a National election, rallied
Immediately with such vigor as have the Repub.
licans since 1884. No comparison is possible BE-
tween the spirit of the party in 1923 and it's
spirit in 1867. 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 1889
over those of 1867 in any thing like the pro-
portion of the gain of 1884 over 1923 it would
secure one of the most remarkable victories Of
It's entire existence. But victory does not de-
pend on so large ratio of increase; the party
has only to maintain relatively its prestige
of 1867 to give its National candidate every
Northern State but one, with far better pros
pect of carrying that one than it has had for
the last SIX years
Another feature of the political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present National Admnistra-
ton was elected with, if not upon the repeated
assertions of its leading supporters in every
protection State that no issue on the tariff
was involved. However earnestly Repub.
licans urged that question as the on5
of controlling Importance in the CAM
paign, they were met by the Democratic
leaders and journals with persistent evasion,
concealment and denial That resource the
President has fortunately removed. The issue
which the Republicans maintained and the
Democrats avoided in 1884 has been promi-
nently and specifically brought forward by the
nnTonRrnfio prpc md r,at no r.;
out of sight in 1888. The country is now in the
enjoyment of an industrial system which In
quarter of century has assured larger
national growth more rapid accumulation
and broader distribution of wealth than were
ever before known to history. The American
people will now be openly and formally asked
to decide whether this system shall be reckless
ly abandoned and new trial be made of an old
experiment which has uniformly led to nation
al embarrassment and widespread ind vidual
distress. On the result of such an issue, fairly
presented to the popular Judgment, there is no
room for doubt
lone thing only is necessary to assure suc-
cess-complete harmony and cordial co-opera-
ton 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 and whose aims are
alike great, but it is one demanded by the in
stiIct OF self-interest and by the still higher
promptings of patriotism
s. A closer observation of the conditions OF
life among the older nations gives more IN
tense desire that the American people shall
make no mistake in choosing the policy which
inspires labor with hope and crowns it with
dignity, which gives safety to capitol and
protects Its increase, which secures political
power to every citizen, comfort and culture
to every home. To this end, not less
earnestly and more directly as private cti-
zen than as public candidate shall devote
myself, with the confident belief that the ad-
ministration of the Government will be re-
stored to the party which has demonstrated
the purpose and the power to WELD it for the
unity and honor of the republic, for the pros
perity and progress of the people. I am very
sincerely yours JAMES G. BIAINEn