The Portland daily press., 1888-02-16
MR.. RLAiNE's DEcLINArIoN.
His Relations to the Party as Dis
cussed by the NewYork Tribune:

NEW YORK, Feb. 14.-All inquiries of
Whitelaw Reid as to his opinion concerning
the letter of Mr.. Blaine were referred by
Mr.. Reid to this mornings editorial in the
New York Tribune, which says
Mr.. Blaine's review of the political pros
pect is open to one criticism. The victories
of the past year which he recites, the sur
prising gains made by the Republican party
in many States, were achieved with gen.
eral expectation that he would be the can
didate of the Republican party this year..
No man can say with certainty how lar
that prospect influenced the strength on
either side-whether. the number brought to
the Republican party by the popularity OF
the leader exceeded the number east against
it in order to compass his defeat and with
drawal. Opinions Will differ widely.
We believe that the expectation OF Mr.
Blaine's nomination increased the strength
of the Republican party as whole to a con-
achieved cannot be counted in its favor with
a different candidate, who may nevertheless
bring to the party strength not then received
or expressed. With these facts in view the
Republican party has to select its candidate
with the knowledge that It may not be able
to command in doubtful States all the
strength it manifested in the last election.
Most fortunately 1t will bring to the task OF
selection a deliberate judgment biased less
than usual by passionate and long organized
strife between rivals.
One thing is to be remembered, Mr..
Blaine's withdrawal may have much to do
with the Democratic nomination. Mr.
Cleveland has been opposed by some Demo-
large number of Democratic votes in case of
Mr. Blaine's nomination. That reason for
setting him aside is now out of the way, so
far as Mr.. Blaine's letter can remove it. On
the other hand, there. were some Democrats
who favored his nomination because they
thought the prestige of previous success
would help him against Blaine. They have
now to consider that he would not on that
account be stronger against different can
didate. The events of the next few weeks
in the Democratic camp will have much TO
do with the final decision of Republicans
and there will be general curiosity so see
whether, as the Sun evidently anticipates,
the withdrawal of Mr.. Blaine will increase
Democratic opposition to Cleveland.
1t is pleasing to reflect at this juncture
that the Republican party does not find It
self lacking in strong and worthy leaders
from whom choice may be made.
The Tribune publishes a number of letters
from Republicans declaring that MI. Blaine
should be nominated for President by ac-
clamation.
Confident of Mr.. BIaine's Intention.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14.-Hon. William
ID. Kelley of Pennsylvania says: "The
question most frequently put to me relates
to the good faith of Mr.. Blaine's letter. and
have no hesitation in saying that believe
it to be the expression OF deliberately
formed purpose, confirmed by the events
and reflection of number of months. l am
confident that Mr. Blaine will not permit his
name to be presented to the convention"
"What will be the effect of his withdraw
alY"
'It has removed the last doubt of a Re-
publican triumph next fall. Without con-
sidering the justice of the hostilities and
prejudices which exist against Mr.. Blaine,
have felt that they were of so grave chat
acter that they would endanger our success
if he should be nominated by our conven-
ton. My esteem for the man is greatly en-
hanced by his withdrawal and the manly
and statesmanlike manner in which it has
been DONE" o,
"The Republican candidate VIII be an
American. can call the names OF dozen
| or SO men. with any one OF whom, believe,
| we can win next November; but who would
make the best candidate ! can't guess. Sher-
man Allison. Harrison, Gresham, Sheridan
| or Fvarts-any one of them could be elect
| ed"
Taken by Surprise.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. l4-Talks with
| prominent politicians in this city in regard
to Mr.. Blaine's letter of declination, show