The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1888-02-25
Mr. Blaine Out Of the List.


d. zones. Esq, Chairman Of the Re
publican National Committee
Sir-I wish through you to state to
the members of the Republican party
that my name viii not be presented to
the National convention called to as
semble in Chicargo in June next for
the nomination of candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice-President of the United
States.
| am constrained to this decision by
considerations entirely personal to nv
self, of which you were advised more
than a year ago. But | cannot make
the announcement without giving ex-
preston to my deep sence of gratitude
to the many thousands of my country
men who have sustained me so long
and so cordially that their feeling has
seemed to go beyond the ordinary
political adherence of fellow partisans,
and partake somewhat of the nature of
personal attachment. For this most
generous loyalty of friendship | can
make no adequate return, but | shall
carry the memory of it while life lasts.
Nor can l refrain from congratula-
ting the Republican party upon the
cheering prospects which distinguish
the opening of the national contest of
1888 as compared with 1884. In 1882
the Republican party throughout the
Union met a disastrous defeat.
No comparison is possible between
the spirit of the party in 1928 and
its spirit in 1867. The two periods
present simply contrast--the one of
generel depression. the other of enthusi-
astic revival. Should the party gain
in the results of 1888 over those Of
1867 in anything like the proportion
of the gain of 1884 over 1928 il would
secure one of the most remarkable vic
tories Of its entire existence. But the
victory does not depend on so large a
ratio of increase; the party has only
to maintain relatively its prestige Of
1867 to give to its national candidate
every Northern state but one, with
far better prospect of carrying that
one than it has had for the past six years.
Another feature Of the political sit
uation should inspire Republicans with
irresistible strength. The present Ma
tional administration was elected with,
if not upon, the repeated assertions of
its leaders in every protection state
that no issue ON the tariff was involved.
However earnestly Republicans urged
that question as the one of controlling
In the campaign, they were
met by the Democratic leaders and
Journals with persistent evasion, con-
cealment and denial. That resource
the President has fortunately removed.
The issue which the Republicans main
tanned and the Democrats avoided in
1884 has been prominently and speci-
fcally brought forward by the Demo-
cratic President and can not now be
hidden out of sight in 1888. The
country is now in the enjoyment of an
industrial system which, in quarter
Of century, has assured larger
national growth, more rapid accumu-
lation and broaded distribution of
wealth than were ever before known
10 history. The American people viii
now be openly and formally asked to
decide whether this system shall be
recklessly abandoned and a new trial be
made of an old experiment which has
uniformly led to national embarrass-
ment and widespread individual dis
tress. On the result of such an issue,
fairly presented to the popular judg-
ment, there is no room for doubt.
One thing only is necessary to sue
cess--complete harmony and cordial
cooperation on the part Of all Repub-
icans--on the part of both those who
aspire to lead and of those who are
eager to follow. The duty Is not
merely one of honorable devotion to
The party whose record and whose
Aims are alike great, but it is one de-
nanded by the instinct of self-interest,
and by the still greater promptings of |
patriotism. JAS. G.. BLAINE.
This letter raises natural curiosity
rs to what were "the considerations
entirely personal 10 myself" of which
Mr.. Jones was advised year ago.
There is no want of subjects of conjec-
,ure, of reasons sufficiently cogent and
potent to induce Mr.. Blaine's with
travail; even with personal popular
ty, undiminished, beyond that accord
I'd to any American citizen since the |
1eath of Mr.. Lincoln. The open deser-
ion or back-stabs of rivals; the dog
yed opposition of that element of his
party opposed to his political ethics
he vulnerable points in his record for
integrity, "the Mulligah
etter," ct al; these combined might
well deter thicker skinned man from
again running such gauntlet as that
Of 1884.
Whatever may have been the rea-
sons of withdrawal of the Republican
it will precipitate wild
scramble and hustle for the succession
the subordinate chiefs.