Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-17

| every republican WOulu nave uellBnJeu u
honor, and it was a source of regret thai
| he had concluded not to make the ract
again. Mr.. Blaine was a republican thai
could sweep the country if nominated
but he had understood all along that h,
would not again seek the nomination. 1
was on this hypothesis that he SHERMAN
had entered the lists.
Gov. Foraker said II have long believed
on very creditable authority Blaine would
not enter the lists as presidential candi
date.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Allison
said 81 regard Blaine as perfectly hon
est and sincere in his refusal to be can
didate. The letter was not in my judg
ment written for any Interior purpose
There is, of course, nothing in the letter
that could prevent the convention from
nominating him, but ] do not anticipate
any action of that sort, AS Blaine's with
drawal is final and sincere"
Senator Frye said 81 suppose Blaine
was entirely in earnest when he wrote
that letter, and at the same time it con
tains nothing that prevents the conven-
ton from nominating him and throws all
the responsibility off his Shoulders. If he
should take the nomination, he could say
he did not force the party to give him hon
Or
Mr. Blair said: al don't understand it.
1t will be as hard to find man who could
poll more republican votes than Blaine in
this country as TO find hens teeth. | be-
lleve Blaine is sincere and we must look
around for new man
Mr.. Dingley SAID blaine is honest in
his refusal. | have personal knowledge
he does not want the nomination. The
declaration is no surprise to me. Blaine was
the strongest man we could have nom
mated, but we must abandon all idea of
his taking the place"
Senator Davis of Minnesota said 81 hope
the letter will set at rest all the reports
that Blaine IS willing to sacrifice the re
publican party to his personal ambition.
He does not Withdraw because he fears
the defeat of the party, Tor he proves the
contrary III his letter. He is sincere and
will be one of the foremost men to help
the party to success"
Senator Chandler said Beyond all ques-
ton Mr. Blaine's decision is sincere The
party both loses and gains by his with
drawal. 1t loses the effect of his great
popularity on the Pacific coast and the
thousands of votes which he alone can
gain from the Irish American democrats
loses also the enthusiasm his name would
inspire everywhere. The gain is the sup
port of small per centage of republicans
hostile TO him, these being recOnciled the
party will be completely united and the
Union will give republican victory.
Mr.. Milliken asked if he thought the
letter settled Blane's candidacy. He re
piled NO" Il do not think Mr.. Blaire's
is matter that he can settle
for himself. | consider the letter entirely
sincere | will take some stronger de
c aration than that to induce his friends
to let him retire from the field -
Mr. Durham of Illinois, thought the let
ter made Mr.. Blaine's nomination more
certain.
Mr. Lodge of Massachusetts, thinks the
matter tinal.
Senator Teller says Mr.. Blaine is entire
~ sincere.iHe believes party harmony will
be promoted by his action.
senator COllum takes 1t for granted that
Blaine has written the letter in good
Faith.
NEW YORK, Feb. 13.-EX-Gov. Frederick
Smythof New Hampshire said: 81 believe
Blaine will be the next president. | have !
read only a part of his letter, but he only |
leciues to allow his name to he presented. |
II " can lie prevent mis- friends from nom |
mating himp
Senator Aldrich OF Rhode Island did not |
share the views of some that the retire |
ment OF Blame would weaken the party !
He believed the result would be thorough !
unity, and the party will 90 into the can |
tass with enthusiastic hopes of success !
one thing the letter made CERTAIN said |
Aldrlch, 1T will make the Iepublican con- |
'ention more interesting assembly,
AUGUSTA, Me, Feb. 10 The Kennebec |
Journal will say to morrow: The declna- |
ion of Mr. Blaine published in the tele-
graphic columns yesterday has been read !
with keen disappointment by the vast ma
ority of the republicans of the nation
Ihe " ry strong indications of his nomna
ion from all sections of the Union and the
suspicious prospects of his tri
lmphant election in November would !
eem TO render his decision unjustifable.
lut he Is noW 1000 miles away amid a pub
ic opinion wholly foreign to his own
where he cannot fully appreciate
he political situation, nor feel he warm
jul>e of the republican mass es which re-
ponds with such remarkable emphasis
o his name and words We know
lot all the reasons which have
'aused him to send his declnatiOn to the |
national committee, and are authorized |
II no sense to speak for him. We know
we'll that he has strong personal reasons
or not Wishi z to accept the republican,
and Tor avoiding the great
responsibilities which the presidency
you'd impose on him, but the needs of the
country and the demands of the repub-
lean party should and must override all
PERSONAL considerations.
To make absolutely sure the republican
'ictory over the opponents of American
the voice of the republican
masses calls James G. Blaine to lead
hem. This expression of sentiment comes
from all sections of the
Jnion. We believe that thoughtful patriot
SIN, sound policy and the hopes of the
urest victory call for Mr.. Blaine's unani-
nous nomination.
AUGUSTA, Me-, Feb. 13.-Hon. j. Man
chester Haynes, the Maine member of the
rational republican committee and Chair
nan Manly of the republican State com
nittee, We're interviewed concerning the
etter OF Mr.. Blaine declining to be "A can
lidate and Mr.. Haynes said
81 do not think that Mr.. Blaine's letter
iisposes of his name before the republican |
| think it was written without |
consultation with any one in the States |
md without a knowledge of many essen
ial facts etfecting the situation here |
Perhaps if he had been here he would not |
nave written the letter. | do not think |
MS friends Will accept the letter as final /
to decline a nomination en- |
.husiastically made and earnestly ten
Tered