The Red Cloud chief., 1888-02-17
BLAINE DECLINES.
Hon. J. q. Blaine Writes to the
Chairman Of the Republican
Committee.
He will Not Have His Name Presented
For Nomination Before the National
Convention.
Prospects of Republican Successful
Tariff Issue and Comparisons With
Previous Elections.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. Feb. 13-The Pittsburgh
Commercial Gazette publishes the following:
Mr.. Il. F. Jones, chairman Of the National
Republican Committee, has received q let
ter from Mr.. Blaine declining TO allow his
name to be presented to the National Re
publican convention as Il candidate for the
Presidential nomination. Mr.. Jones, when
asked whether Mr.. Bla!ne's defamation
would prevent his friends from nominating
him anyhow, said: y l am chairman OF
the National Committee, l do not think it
would be proper for me to have any thing
to say on that subject"
s.Do you think Mr. Blaine would accept
the nomination il rendered {" him"
Il have authority 10 speak for Mr.. Blame
and have no conjectures TO offer on the sub
iect. The letter speaks for itself and I
must decline to be interviewed on the ques-
tiOn."
The following is Mr.. Blaine's letter in
b. +. .yones. Esq.,. CNai,mo" Of tie National Re-
publican COnMitfeS:
Italy, Jan. J.-SIR: I wish
through you to state to the members OF the Re
publican party that my name will not be pre-
sented to the National convention called to as
semble in Chicago in June next for the nominal
ton of candidates for President and vIcc-Presi-
dent Of the United States. I Am constrained to
this decision by considerations entirely personal
to myself, Of which you were advised more than
q year ago. But I can not make the announce
ment without giving expression to my deep
sense OF gratitude to the many thousands OF my
countrymen who have sustained me so long and
so cordially that their feeling has seemed togo
beyond the ordinary political adherence Of fell
- .uN In vnr.,l-, snvnSvchnf NJ nap.
sOnal attachment. For this most generous
loyalty OF friendship l can Wake no adequate
return. but ! shall carry the memory OF it while
life lasts.
Nor can l refrain from congratulatins the Re
publican party upOn thc cheering prospects
which distinguish the opening OF the national
contest Of 1873 as compared with that OF 1881.
In lSs2 the Republican party throughout the
Union met with a disastrous defeat. Ten
States that had supported Garfield and Arthur
in the election OF lSN were carried by the Dem
ocrats either by majOrlties or plUralitieS. The
Republican loss in the Northern elections COM
pared with the preceding National election ex-
ceeded half , million votes. and the electoral
votes Of the Union. divided on the basis OF the
| result Of 1SSa. gave to the Democrats, over three
hundred Electors out OF u total OF H1. There
was a partial reaction in favor OF the Re
publicans in the elections OF lSS3, but
tuS SShA ""s
OF seven Northern States. and on the basis OF
the years contest could show more than 100
majority in the Electoral College OF the whole
| country. But against toe di>couragement natu-
rally following The adverse elections OF these
two years the spirit OF the Republican party IN
the National contest OF 1881 rose high and the
| Republican masses entered into the campaign
with such energy that the final result depended
on the vote OF \ single State and that State was
carried by the Democratic party by q plurality
so small that it represented less than one
eleventh OF one per cent. OF the entire vote.
The change of = single vote IN every 2,iU0 OF the
| total poll would have given the State TO the Re
publicans. though Only two years before the
Democratic plurality exceeded 1900.
The elections OF Is>d and 1881 have demon
stra;ed growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom in our political history has .
party. defeated in 4 National election, rallied
Immediately with such vigor as have the Re
publicans since 1891. No comparison Is pos
siSle between the spirit of the party in 1879
and its spirit in iSNJ-.. The two periods pre-
sent simply n contrast-thc one OF general de-
preston, the other of enthusiastic revival.
Should the party gain. in the results of 1855
over those of lSSj-a, in airy timing like the pro-
! portion of the gain OF 1894 over 1888. il would
secure one of the most remarkable victories of
its entire existence. Blu victory does not de
| pend on so large Il ratio OF increase; the party
has only TO maintain relatively its prcsagc o!
IsS6-1 to give to its National candidates every
Northern State but one with "a far better pros
pect OF carrying that one than it has had for the
past six years.
Another feature CT the political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present National Administra-
ton was elected with, II not upon, the repeated
assertions of its leading supporters in every
protection State that no issue on the tariff was
I -. ratr sh, Ibny- II. nS
urged that question Is the one of controlling
Importance in the campaign ;ssccSS were met by
the Democratic leaders and journals with per
si,tent evasion. COncellmcnt and denial. That
resource the President has fortunately re-
moved.
The issue which the Republicans maintained
and the Democrats avoided in 1884 has been
prominently and specifically brought forward
by the Democratic President and can not be
hidden out OF sight in lSSS. The country is
| now in the enjoyment OF the industrial system
which in 4 quarter of 4 century has assured \
larger National growth, Il more rapid accumu-
lation and n brOade: distribution Of wealth
than were ever before known to history. The
American people will now be only and for
mally asked to decide whether this system
shall be recklessly abandoned and q new trial
made Of an old experiment which has uniformly
led to National embarrassment and widespread
individual distress. On the result Of such al
| issue, fairly presented to the popular judgment,
there is no rooEi for doubt. One thing only is
necessary TO assure succcss-complete harmony
and cordial cooperation on the part Of all Re
puOlican--on the par! both OF those who aspire
TO lead ana OF those who are eager to fol
low. tn duty is not one merely Of hon
orable devotion TO the party whose record
and whose aims are alike great, but it
is one demanded by the instinct OF self interest
and the still higher promptings OF patriotism.
A closer observation Of the conditions Of life
among the older Nations gives one . 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 capital and pro-
teCts its interests. which secures political
power to every citizen, comfort and culture in
every home.
To this end. not less earnestly ind more di-
fectly Us u private citizen than rs u public can
didafe, I shall devote myself with the confident
belief that the administration Of the Govern
ment Will be restored to the party which has
demonstrated the purpose and the power to
WELD IL for the unity ami honor OF the Repub-
lie. for the prosperity and progress Of the peO-
PIE. ] am. very sincerely. yours,
JAMES G. BLAINE.