New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-28
DYuOrRJTIC AYXIETIFS.

The anxiety Of Democrats to make 1t certain
that Mr.. Blaine is not to be the Republican
candidate affords food for thought. If there
were any real belief that Mr.. Blaine could be
easily or surely beaten, not Democratic Jour
raj in the country would be found suicidally
anxious to lessen Democratic chances, by send
ing correspondent from London to Florence
in the vain hope of extracting from Mr.. Blaine
some new statement of his position, as The
Worldr did last week. What Mr.. Blaine said
to the correspondent was exactly what he had
previously said in his letter, that he did not
want TO be a candidate. Having been defeated,
he felt that it was his duty TO his party to an
nounce his retirement, thus removing any pos
siblc embarrassment in the selection Of another
candidate. No new word from Florence was
needed to make this known to the country. but
it is highly instructive fact that Demo
cratic paper is so anxious TO have Mr.. Baine's
statement reiterated
Tho question has passed beyond Mr.. Blainc's
reach. What he wants, the country knows.
What the Republican party wants, it will de-
'terminc in convention after due consideration.
If it finds candidate upon whom it can unto
with confidence Of success, the nomination OF
tndb Cdnuludtc VIII Dc HtdTlliI Hiduc anu eup-
ported. But Mr. Blaine cannot answer for the
party on that point, nor can individual mem
bcrs, until its voters have expressed their
wishes in the selection Of delegates. 1t is
fortunate for the party and for the country
that there is to be the kindcst bit most candid
examination or the merits and prospects of
different candidates. so that elements of
strength or of weakness in each case may bo
duly weighed
Some people arc anxious to know "what
Mr.. Blaincs friends propose" The question
is foolish one. Whoever has his eyes open
can see that Mr.. Blaine's friends much
divided Some of them prefer one candidate
and some another; some have as yet expressed
no choice. while others have stated that they
believed the nomination Of Mr.. Blame. in spite
Of his objection. the wsest thing that could DO
done When delegates como together. charged
With messages from 5000 900 voters who arc
now, even more than they were in 1884,
L" friends Of Mr.. Blaine" there will probably
be agreement, but he who feels most confident
what the agreement will be is not necessarily
the most likely to be correct.
OF one thing all men may be sure, that the
nomination will not be made by the men. or by
representatives of the men. who opposed Mr..
Blaine because they were hostile to the princ-
pies Of the party It will he held paramount
necessity that the candidate shall be thor
oughly known as a sincere, earnest and I'M
compromising advocate Of the protection of
American industries. Any other candidate than
Mr.. Blaine will need, much more than he would
need, the strength which that principle can
give because no other has so much Of personal
popularity or has had for years past so much
of the confidence of his party.
The Democratic Convention comes first.
BY no choice Of Republicans, who fixed an carly
day because willing to act without waiting for
their advcrsaries. and against the first de-
liberatc Judgment Of a majority Of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, the date Of the
Democratic Convention has been fixed earlier
in order to avoid the heat Of July in St. Louis
This change may prove most important. No
action in Congress- after Mr.. Clcvelands nomi-
nation, can alter the meaning Of nomination
based upon his message which was devoted to
the tariff question exclusively. The problem
for Republicans is therefore much simpliGcd
by the certainty that the Democratic candidate
and platform. and in case Of Mr. Clcvcland's
nomination the prrdomnating issue Of the
campaign. will bc determined before the Re-
publican Convention assemblies.