The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-26
Mr.. BLAINE'S LETTER.
Developments Tending to Prove that 1t Was
Written Some Time Last Autumn.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
ALBANY, Feb. 25.-Several weeks before Mr..
Blaine's Ietter. declining to allow his name to be-
presented to the Republican national conven-
tion, was published in the newspapers, the fact
of it's existence was known to the leading Repub-
lican politicians of this State The date of the
letter as printed is Jan. 25, and the place of
writing is given as Florence. The letter was
written some time before Jan. %. 1t was
known by many leading Republicans and dis
cussed in January, which would not have been
possible if the letter had not been written
earlier than Jan. 25. as the distance by mail
from Florence is more than six days, and even if
the letter had been cabled over the knowledge
OF it could not have become widespread
within six days as it was. 1t is doubtful
whether the letter was written at Florence at
ALL and there is no lack of certain proof that
the letter was seen by many Republican leaders
before it printed, and that it would not
have been printed if the wishes of many of Mr..
Blaines friends had been needed by him.
The story of the letter has come to me from
various sources. which coincide the material
points, though varying in detail. Mr.. Blaine
decided last year not to be o candidate before
the convention unless the fall elections should
give promise of decided Republican victory.
Notwithstanding all the encouraging bulletins
that have been sent ont about him, his health is
not good. and he and his wife worried
about it. Or Mrs. Blame more than on
her husband has fallen the pain of the assaults
against his character and political methods.
She does not want him to be candidate again and
she has earnestly entreated him that effect
After the elections were held Mr. Blaine came
to the conclusion that the presidential battle
would be hard fought and that the strain would
be more than he could bear He yielded to his
wifes desires, and wrote the letter of decination
and withdrawal that was Published week ago.
This letter WAS put in charge of his friends, to
be published. and. one story goes, as soon the
results of the election were made known and be-
fore Congress assembled A large part Of his
friends, when the fact of the letter became
known to them, protested against its publi-
cation as being injurious the party and unwar-
ranted. They wanted Mr.. Blaine to stay in the
field and to accept the nomination, which they
believed was sure TO come to him. By their re-
quest the letter was withheld for the time being:
then Congress convened and the President
sent in his annual message and drew the issue
of revenue reform and lower tariff in opposition
to the protective tariff doctrines. Mr.. Blaine at
once met the President on this issue in his cebled
interview. and his friends hoped that the letter
would be withdrawn. Its withdrawal was urged
by leading Republicans in Congress and in
New York city So strong were these
efforts that at time il was reported
that the letter had been withdrawn The news
of it WAS becoming mors and more spread. Is
had either 10 be withdrawn OF given to tho
public in unauthorized way. Mr.. Blaine de-
cided by cabling have the letter published
There are many interesting facts in connection
with this letter. and they are just beginning
to be made known, aud one of these facts i
that the letter 10 much older than iia date