The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-05-31

TO BE CONSIDERED As A CANDIDATE FOR THE
PRESIDENCY. HIS DECISION FINAL AND HIRE
NoCAbiE. PROTECTION TO AMERICAN LABOR
IIir =" Nith"oip We LILLE CAMPAIGN. MIR.
BLAINE CONFIDENT OF RErlBI.ICAS SUCCESS
NEW YORK, May 29h. The Tribune will pul,
lish tomorrow the following letter from Mr. Blaine
to Whteaw Reid:
Since my return to Paris from southern itaiv on
the sth inst, have learned what did not before
believe, that my name may yet be presented to the
National Convention as Il candidate for the I'res.
dental nomination by the Republican party 4
single phrase of my letter of january 18Th from
Florence, which was decisive Of everything had
personal power to decide, has been treated hv
many of my most valued friends as not absolutely
conclusive in ultimate and possible continrcncic:
On the other hand, friends equally devoted and
tilsinteresed, have construed my letter as it should
8f II Pf Ap lHqeSnHi9nH ,ian Thny
have, IN consequence, given their support to emf
nent gentlemen, who are candidates for the Chica
go nomination, some of whom would not, | am
sure, have consented to assume that position if I
had desire to represent the party il, the pres
dental contest of lssS. If should now by spcech
or by silence, by commission or OMISSION permit
ton, should incur the reproach OF being uncan-
did with those who have always been candid with
me. speak, there fore, because ! am not willing
to remain in doubtful attitude am NOT wiIIin.e
to misead the millions who have given me their
sufrages and their confidence. am not willing
that even one of my faithful supporters in the past
n tout1e
sense with my words. Assuming that the Prcsi
dental nomination could by any possible chance
be offered me, could not accept it without leay
ing In the minds of thousands of men the imprcs.
sion that had not been free from ini,ection. and
therefore could not accept it at ALL
misrepresentation of malice have 10 weight,
but the just displcasurc of friends | could not
patiently endure. Republican victory, the pros
poets OF which grow brighter every ,iav, can he
imperiiied only by lack of unity in council or by
an acrimonious contest over men. The issue of
protection Is incidentally stronger and greater
present and of generations yet to come Were il
possible for every voter of the Republic to see for
himself the condition and recompensc of labor i'm
Europe the party of free trade in the United States
would not receive the support of one wage worker
between the two oceans. 1t NAV not be directly
In our power as philanthropists to elevate the
European labOrer, but it will be a lasting stigma
upon our craftsmanship if we permit the Ameri.
can labOrer to be forced down to the European
level and in the end the rewards of labor every
where will be advanced il we steadily refuse 10
lower the standard at home.
Yours very sincerely,
JAMES G. BLAINE.
MIR. BLAINE's FRIENDS REGRET Ills DECISION.
The contents of the letter of Mr. blaine tn
Whitelaw Reid, which will be given to the public
tomorrow, were impaired to-day to n circle of his
friends, including Hon. Stephen b. EIkins Hon.
Charles Emory Smith, Hon. joseph H. Manlcy.
Congressman BOutelle and Others who had as
sembled here for consultation all of whom sincere
y regret that Mr.. Blaine had felt impelle TO again
1nterpOse to check the remarkable popular move.