Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14
He WILL NOT RUN.
NE. BLAINx NOT A CANDIDATE FOR
TBE PREuDRECY.
kFormal Communication to the Chairman
Of the Republican National
Committee

ne lttSoNARh tpfNplCFCfOf-fT Gazette
published the following yesterday Mr.
Is. F. Jones, chairman OF the National
Republican Committee. has received
letter from Mr.. Blaine declining IN al
low his nomc 70 bc presented 10 the Ma
tonsl Republican Convention as a can
didate for the presidential nomination.
Mr. Jones, when asked whether Mr.
Baine's declination woold prevent his
friends from nominating him anyhow.
SID:
As | am chairman Of the National
Committee 1 do not think il wonld be-
proper for me to have anything TO saw
oa that subject.
DO You think Mr.. Blaine would ac
cept the nomination if rendered to
mm
IL have no authority to speak for Mr..
Blame. and have no conjcctures to offer
OH the subject. The letter speaks for
ifsef ana ! must decline to be inter
viewed on this question"
The following Is Mr.. Blaines letter in
full;
FLORENCE, ITALY, Jan. %, 1883.
&c. l. Jones, Esq, Chairman Of the
Republican National CommUcc:
"Sir.-l wish through YOU 10 state TO
lie members OF the Republican party
tast my name Will not be presented to
the National Convention called 10 assem-
~. IN Chicago IN june next for the nomi-
nation Of candidates for President and
\lce-President OF tao United States.
am constrained 10 tins decision by
considerations entirely personal 70
myself. OF which Won were qd-
yj.cd more than wear ago.
but I cannot make the announcement
without giving expression 10 my deep
sense Of gratitude 10 the many thousands
IS my couutrvmen vino have sustained
me SO long and so cordially that their
feeling has seemed 10 90 beyoEd the or
binary political adherence of fell0w-par-
r48ns and TO paTtake somewhat OF the
nature of personal attachment For
most generous loyalty of friendship /
rsn make no adequate return. but | shall
carry the memory OF 1t while life lasts
Nor can ] refrain from cOngratulatiug
tae Republican party upon the cheer
ing prospects which distinguish the
opening of the national contest of
ISIS as compared with that OF 1884
In leN2 the Republican party through
ogt toe Union met with disastrous de-
feat. Ten States that had supported
Garfield and Arthur in the election Of
l.~l were carried 10y the Democrats
either by maiorities or puralities. The
Republican loss in the northern election,
compared with the preceding national
election. exceeded half a million votes,
and the electoral votes OF the Union,
divided on the basis of the result OF 1882.
gave TO the Democrats over three hun
ired electors ont of total of 4Ol. There
was q partial reaction i'm favor Of the Re
uublcaus in the elections of 1883. but
tie Democrats still held possession of
seven northern States, and on the basis OF
the wears contest could show more than
200 majority in the electoral colleges OF
tle whole country. But against the dis
enlargement naturally following the adj
verse elections Of these two years the
spirit of the Republican party in the ma
t0nal contest oi 1884 rose high. and the
Republican masses entered into the cam
mlgn with such energy that the final re-
suit depended on the vote of a single
state. and that state was carried by the
Democratic party by a plurality so small
That it represented less than one eleventh
of per cent. of the entire vote. The
cnange OF a single vote IN every 1000 of
the total poll would have given the State
% the Republicans, though only two
years before the democratic plurality
exceeded 1872, 900.
"Ihe elections II 1856 and 1857 have
demonstrated growing strength IN the
Republican ranks. Seldom IN our pollt-
ical history has party defeated IN a
national election rallied Immediately
with such vigor as have the Republicans
since 1851 No comparison Is possible
between tie spirit OF the party in leo2- 'S3
and its spirit IN lSs6-'o1. The two
PERIODS present simply cOntrast-the
one Of general depression, the other OF
enthusiastic revival Should the party
Gain in the results Of lSSS over those OF
ls,6-97 IN anything like the proportion
%. the gain of 1854 over 1882 s. 1t would
secure one of the most remarkable veto
rl,s of its entire existence. But victory
does not depend on so large ratio OF IN
crease the party has only to MAINTAIN
relatively It's prestige Of leS6-'6l to give
Gu rs national candidate every northern
state bat one, with far better prospect
oi carving that one than 1t has had Tor
che past SIX wears. Another feature OF
tie political situation should inspire Re
pghiIcaus with irresistible strength. The
present national Administration was
elected with. If not upon, the repeated
a-,ertious of its leading supporters IN
every protection State that 10 issue on
fe tariff was involved. However
earnestly Republicans urged that ques-
t.n as the one of controlling Importance
SD the campaign, they were met by the
Democratic leaders and journals WIN
persistent evasion, cOnccalment ana
denial
. That resource the President has for
tratrlv removed. The issue which the
E.uuolcans maintained and the Demo
Gratis avoided IN 1854 has been proni-
n.ntv and specifically brought forward
tr the Democratic President, and cannot
l. hidden ont Of sight IN 1855 The
country is now IN the enjoyment OF an
.fl- iflul NNtLflL NAiAAA III ~ lf-.@-
century has assured larger national
Growth. a more rapid accumulation and
.roader distribution OF wealth than were
ever before known 10 history Inc
American people viii now he openly ana
formally asked to decide whether tins
system shall i've recklessly abandoned ana
a new tlial be- made OF an old expen-
ment which has uniformly led to nation
o. embarrassment and widespread lndi-
ydual distress. On the result Of such
e1 issue fairly presented to the popular
Judgment there is 10 room 10 doubt.
One thing only is necessary to as,
cure success complete harmony ana
cordial cooperation on the part OF all
Republicans the part OF both those
VITO aspire TO lead and Of those who are
,sgcr to follow. The duty IS not one
merely Of honorable devotion to the
rarty. whose record and whose aims are
ase great. BUTT is one demanded by the
Instinct Of seltinterest and the still hi9h-
~ promptings Of patriotism, A closer
observation ofthe conditions OF lie among
zoe older nations gives one more IN