Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-01
Mr.. Blainc's Latest Letter.

1t ought not to have been necessary for
Mr. Blaine to write his letter of May II to
Mr.. WhitelaW Reid. 1t cannot but he to
some extent humilisting to him, to be
obliged to say to the American people that
he meant what he said, when he wrote
before. That humiliation has been
brought upon him by unwise aud excess
siveiy devoted friends Had it been his
enemies alone who declared that his for
mer letter meant nothing that it was
simply a bid for more pressure 20 he put
upon him, so that he should he compelled
to accept what ne seemed to put away
from him, he could have preserved "a dig
nlfied silence. But so many of his friends
nave been acting on theory, similar
10 that in effect if not in spirit,
that Mr. Blaine had been Obliged
to say that his words had no double sense
and that he could not accept the nonina-
ton il it was to come to him.
When he said that his name would not
be presented at Chicago, he was talking
about something which he knew he could
control. No mans name was ever voted
Tor III earnest in a national convention
without his own consent: and it is not
likely that any mans ever will be. Mr..
Blaine knew that it would be simple
impossibi!ity under the circumstances
that the conventionshould rise as one man
and say you have got TO take this nom
nation whether you will or not" That
Is not the way things Work in the con-
ventloLs of party which has many
statesmen in its ranks who would fifty
head its ticket.
There was, as it seemed to us, but one
rational explanation of Mr.. Blaine's for
mer letter. 1t was written at a time when
everything pointed toward his renomina-
ton. That he could again head the repub
llcan national ticket if he wished so to do,
must have been plain 10 him as it was to
both his friends and his enemies. That
Mr.. Blaine has lost all desire to be presi-
dent o. the United States is hardly sup
possible. Why, then, should he decline to
be candidate There are two and az 1t
seems to us, but two supposable reasons
Either there were circumstances personal
10 himself, concerning his health, his
AFFINITY To 90 through the heat of cam
paign, or his ability to bear the heavy
burden of the Office if he should be
elected which forbade his enter
Ing the field or he had become
satisfied that he could not be
elected, If he were to be nominated. If
either was the controlling reason, it was
sufficient. No friend of Mr.. Blaipe's would
force HIM into a position which he felt he
lacked the strength of body or will to sus-
tain. Nor should any sincere republican
desire to nominate him if he could not be
elected. On that point no mans Judgment
is any better, probably, than Mr.. Blaines.
lie has no excess of modesty which would
lead him to underrate his strength He
no doubt has as wide and thorough infor
nation, in relation To the situation, as any
man in the world. He has shrewd and
faithful advisers in many States II on a
survey of the field it had become plain to
Mr.. Blaine that the elements necessary to
success could not be combined in his favor
1t is sufficient explanation of his course,
and sufficient reason why he should no
longer be pressed to be a candidate. As,
according TO what seem to be reliable &C
counts, Mr.. Blaine is in excellent health,