Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-02
fsIAINE,s POSITION EXPLAINED.
Conditions Under which He WOulo
Have Accepted the Nomination.

n r-.uf,-l,s ordon Special TO " Y worli June so.
Iraye learned during past few days the correct
story OF Mr.. Blaine'S position In connection Win
the presidential canvass. When he left for Europe
last year IL was for the distinct and ayowed pur-
nose Of avoiding even an appearance OF making
anv contest for the nomination. To few conf
Dental friends he said before ms departure that
he could not consent 70 stand again unless ne
were called with practical unanimiLy. In 1884 he
had been naue chief OF his party. and had in his
opinion, brought IL together and developed the
issue upon which this present. campaign Is 10 oe
Fought III this year ali or the candidates had
conceded Mr. Bla.nes leadership, so that he
could have stood without opposition, ne would
undoubtedly have been Wiling 10 accept, ana 70
have made another fghi. But when he left for
Europe he had heard that there were 10 be other
candidates In the field, and upon this belief he
then made up his mind 70 retire; II ~ was not,
sherman, Connecticut for Gen. Hawley, Indiana
for Gen. Harrison. and Iowafor Senator Allison,
that the first Florence letter was written and the
position OF withdrawal determined upon. Mr..
Blaine felt then that IL would nave compromised
his dignity to again enter on contest Tor the re.
publican candidacy against the others. He did
not know then how strong the tide was In his
favor and that Il he had net said one word he
coui1 have had nomination upon tne nrst paiiot:
This decision, made In Florence, was the result OF
Mr.. Blaine's own delIoerat fons Mrs Blaine has
been falsely assumed 10 have favored this decision
SIZE. on the contrary, was opposed 10 his with
drawaL she was willing TO sacrifice her own per-
sOnal comfort and feelings 10 have the campaign
OF 1854 fought over again But wnen MI. Blaine
course on this side or the water has been thor
oughly c. nsistenL He has not Intrigued cabled,
or written letters upon the subject. either before
or since his Paris letter 10 MI Wnitelaw Reid.
The conduct or his friends at home has, however,
detracted from the consistent appearance or his
personal position They appeared 10 not believe
that actually out OF the canvass; and II mis-
friends did not DELI II his enemies could not be
expected to credit IL. Mr.. Blaine's friends re-
memDered MS former declaration before leaving
the nIted states, and sought 10 secure the with
drawal OF the other candidates and his unanimous
nomination. This they Jailed 10 do, and they
could use Mr. BlIine's name as candidate all
hope OF securing his nomination Tell through. IL
vention 70 hav1 his name brought formally Ior-
ward as a candidate be could undoubtedly have
been nominated But as the only condition OF his
Appearing in the canvass could not be carried out,
the Blaine people turned 10 Gen. Harrison a
compromise candidate
saw Mr.. Blaine IN scotland at different times
each day from Friday until late Monday evening.
when handed him the dispatch containing the
news Of the nomination OF Gen Harrison He was
peyer under the slightest illusion regarding tue
lpnyentlOn. He said 10 me on sunday at Edin-
lrg1: There Is not the slightest Chance OF the
omlnation coming 10 me-" He at that time In
cated Gen. Harrison as the probable nominee OF
he coming Monday. AT LinllIhgow on the de-
DIR. Blaine from Chicago. Tnis was easy 10 De
seen, all the te.egrams received at the little
|statiOn were placed on the bulletin board OF the
star and Garter Hotter hours before the Blaine and
Carnegie party arrived AT Edinburgh, also, the
telegraph Ofnciais ali said that no messages mad
come Tor Mr.. Blaine. Mr.. Blaine Will remain In
Scotland, at Cluny Caste, until July TO-