Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-06-02
Letter from MIR. Blaine.

Il GStt0i f0Hf WIZ
THE nECLINATIoN IN HIS FORMER LET
TER UNCOMFORTABLE is NOT PLAY
ING A DOUBLE GAME AND MEANT
WHAT HE SAID.
New YORK, May 30--The Tribune
publishes the following Paris,
May II, 1sss.--W hitelaw Reed, ESQ.
editor N. Y. Tribune.--My Dear
Sir: Since my return to Paris from
Southern Italy on the 9th inst, |
have learned (what / did not before
believe) that my name may yet be
presented to the national convention
as candidate FOR the presidential
nomination of the republican party.
A single phrase of my letter of JAN
uary Is, from Florence, (Which was
decisive of everything / had the per-
sonal power to decide,) has been
treated by many of my most valued
friends as not absolutely conclusive
in ultimate and possible contingent
cics. On the other hand, friends
equally devoted and disinterested
have construed my letter Gas it should
be construed) to be an unconditional
Withholding of my name from the
national convention. They have i'm
consequence given their support to
eminent gentlemen who are candi-
dates for the Chicago nomination,
some of whom would not, am sure,
have consented to assume that posi-
ton If had desired to represent the
party in the presidential contest of
1888.
"If should now, by speech or by
silence, by commission or omission,
permit my name, in any event, to
come before the convention, | should
incur the reproach of bsing uncan-
did with those who have always been
candid with me. / speak, therefore,
because / am not willing to remain
in doubtful attitude. am not will
ling to be the cause of misleading
single man among the millions who
have given me their surfaces and
their confidence. | am nos willing
that even one of my iaithfai .uppor-
tiers in the past should thiak me ca
pable of paltering il q double sense
vii h my words. Assuming that the
presidential animation couifi tY any
D $ ,illc chance BE offered to me,
coull not accept il with1ut leaving
IL The minds OF thOaSan u OF these
men the impression taat ! had not
l,.aaa te.a, f,,.,,,, ,Afna.t,,N (, ~ fbafa4
fore ] could not accept 10 i,s 81. The
IN ST., presentations Of malice ave no
weight, bnt the just dispiea ,ure OF
friends could MT patiently endure.
Republican victory, the pro- poets
OF viii Ii grow brighter very day,
can be iinperilci only ~ y ofuni-
" in council or bv ac,imo licus con-
tests over men. The Issue Of protec-
ton is incaicnlabi, stronger and
greater than any man. fprit concerns
the prosperity Of the present and OF
generations yet TO come. Were it
10 jsible Tor every voter OF the repuD-
lie - see for himself tie condition
aud rccompense OF LABOR ~ Europe,
the party Of free trade In the United
states would not receive Tic support
OF Que wagc-worker between the 5wo
oceans H. may not be diieclly in
our power as philan.nropiss, t., elc-
vate tie Eu opean laborer, but twill
be a lasting stigma upon our states
manship If we permit the American
laborer to lie forced down t. inc hu-
ropean level. And in the end the
re a,ds of labor everywhere will be
advanced ifw we steadily rsfise To low
en- the standard at home. Yours,
very sincerely,
JAMES g. ntAISE.n