The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-02-17

FLORENCE. ITALY. Jan. IS, 1888.
B. r. Jones. Esq. Chairman Of the Re-
publican National Committee:
SsR-I wish through you 10 state to the
members OF the Republican party that my
pAme will not be presented 10 the Nation.
al Convention called to assemble in Chi
cago In June next for the nomination. of
candidates for President and Vioe-Presi
dent of the United States.
am censti aimed to this decision by con-
siderations entirely personal TO myself, of
which you were advised more than year
ago. But I cannot make the announce
ment without giving expression TO my
deep sense of gratitude to the many thou
8nds Of my countrymen who have sus.
tained me 80 long and 80 cordially that
e,eir feeling has sermed to 60 beyond the
ordinary political adherence of fellow par
tsans and TO partakc somewhat of per.
sonal attachment For this most generous
l,yalty Of friendship can make no ade,
quaie return. but shall carry the memory
q while life lasts.
Nor Can I refrain from congratulaiing
v,e Republican party upon the cheering
y aspects which distinguish the opening
o. the National contest In 1888 as com.
m~ed with that of 1884 In 1882 the Re.
publican party throughout the Union met
Nth disastrous defeat. Ten States that
bud supported Garfield and Arthur in The
election Of 1880 were carried by the Dem
&C nts either by majorities or pluralities.
Yie Republican loss in the Northern cleo.
Aons compared with the preceding nation
a election exceeded 500, 900 votes. and the
electoral votes of the Uuion, divided on
IN, basis of the result of 1889, gave to tn"
Democrats over 800 electors out of total
q 401. There was a partial reaction in
tAvr of the Republicans in the elections
Of 1888, but the ID, mocrats still held pos
session of seven Northern States, and on
o. basis of the years contest should show
Hme than 100 majority in the Electoral
O,llege Of the whole country.
But against the Encouragement, naturally
following the adverse elections of these two
years the spirit of the Republican party in
the national contest OF 1884 rose high, and
tho Republican masses entered into the
campaign with such energy that the final
result depended on the vote of one single
State, and that State was carried by the
Democratic party by a plurality SO small
that it represented less than one.elevenih
Of one per cent of the entire vote. The
change Of single vete in every 1000 Of
the total poll would have gwen the State
TO the Republicans, though only two years
before the Democratic plurality exceeded
$4,000
The elections of 1885 and 1887 have
demonstrated growing strength in the Re
pub lean ranks. Seldom in our political
history has party, defeated in national
election. rallied Immediately with such
vigor as have the Republicans since 1884
No comparison Is possible between the
spirit Of the party in 1898 and its spiri,
in 1857 The two periods present sim.
ply contrast-tho one Of general depres-
SION. the other of enthusiastic revival.
Should the party gain, in the results of
1883 over those of 1867, in anything like
the proportion Of tho gain of 1884 over
1882 3. it would secure one of III, most
remarkable victories Of its entire existence.
But victory does not depend on 80 large a
ratio of increase; tho party has only to
maintain relatively its prestige of 1886 z to
give g. its national candidate every North.
ern State but one, with far b, tier pros.
poet of carrying that one than It has had
Tor the past six years.
Another feature Of tho political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present national admins
trat on was elected with. II not upon, the
repeated asseriiQns of its leadingsupporiers
IN every protection State that no issue on
The tariff was involved. However earnest
y Republicans urged that question as the
one OF controlling importance in the cam.
pa gn. they were met by the Democratic
leaders spd Journals with persistent evasion
c'nceaImept and denial. That resource
the President has fortunately removed. |
The issue which tho Republicans main |
"a ned and the Democrats avoided In 1884 |
has been prominently and specifically |
brought forward by the Democratic Presi. |
dent, ana cannot be hidden out Of sight in |