The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-02-16
Mr.. Blame Not a Candidate.

A LETTER DECLINING THE NOMIN ALTON.
Hon. b. f. Jones, Chairman of the
National Republican Committee, has re-
ceived and given to the public, the follow
ing letter from Hon. James g. Blaine,
stating that his name would not be pre-
sented to the National Convention, which
meets in June. When asked whether
Mr.. Blaine's friends would be governed
by the letter, Mr.. Jones said that he was
not authorized to speak for them or Mr..
Blaine, further than the letter warrants
1t is as follows
"FLoRENCE, ITALY. Jan. 70. 1SSS.-B. +. Jones,
ESQ.,, Chairman of the Republican National
ConmitIee-Sir: wish through You to state to
the members of the republican party that my
name will not be presented to the national con-
yention called to assemble in Chicago in JUNE
next for the nomination of candidates for Pres
ident and vice. President of the United States.
1 am con strained TO this decision by considera-
lions entirely personal to myself, Of which you
were advised more than year ago. But can
not make the announcement without giving
expression to my deep sense OF gratitude TO
the many thousands OF my countrymen who
nave sustained me so long and so cordially that
their feeling has seemed to go beyond the ordl-
nary political adherence of llOW-partisans
and to partake somewhat CT the nature OF per-
soral attachment For this most generous 10y
turn, but shall carry the memory OF 1t Whlle
life lasts. Nor can l refrain from congratulate
ing the republican party upon the cheering
prospects which distinguish the opening of the
national contest of 1888 as compared with that
| of 1881. In 1882 the repuoiean party through
out the Union met with disastrous defeat
Ten States that had supported Garheld ana
Arthur in the election in 1880 were carried by
the democrats either by majorities or pluTali-
ties The Republican loss in the Northern
election, compared with the preceding nation
al election, exceeded half million votes, and
. y a1o atn xynt Union. divided
basis of the result of 1882 gave TO the democrats
over three hundred electors out OF total OF
40I There was partial reaction in favor of
the republicans in the elections of 1883 but the
democrats still held possession of seven North
ern States, and on the basis of the years cor
| test could show more than 100 majority in the
| electoral colleges OF the Whoie country. But
against the disbursement naturally IoIloW-
| ing the adverse elections OF these Two years
the spirit of the republican party in the nation
al contest of 1884 rose high, and the republican
masses entered into the campaign with such
! energy that the final result depended the
vote Of a single State, and that state was car
| ried by the democratic party by a plurality so
small that it represented less than one-eley
| enth of one per cent OF the entire vote. me
change of single vote IN every z,Voo OF the 10
! pubiicans, though only two years before the
democratic plurality exceeded $4,000.
strated growing strength in the republican
| ranks Seldom in our political history has
party defeated IN natlonai eleeaon t fall re
! publicans since 1881. NO comparison y posi-
BILE between the spirit Of the party IN 49,
| sent simply a contrast-the one OF general de-
preston. the other of enthusiastic reVlyai aoo
| Should the party gain in the results of 1888
over those Of 1867 in anything like the pro-
portion of the gain of 1884 over 1928 it would
secure ore of the most remarkable victories OF
it's entire existence, But victory does not de-
pend on so large a ratio of increase the party
has only to maintain relatively it's prestige of
1891 to give to it's national candidate every
Northern state but one, with a far better pros
pect of carrying that one than 1t mas hao Tor
Il ~ 10
litical situation should inspire republicans
with irresistible strength. The present nation
al ADM u stration waS.elected with, II not upon
the repeated assertions of its leading support
ers In every protection State. that no issue on
| the tariff was involved. However earnestly
republicans urged that question as the one OF
controlling Importance IN the campaign, tney
were met by the democratic leaders ana Joafn-
| ais with persistent evasion, conceaimeht ana
denial. e.,
removed The issue which the republicans
maintained and the democrats avoided in 1851
h as been prominently and specifically brought
| forward by the democratic president. ana can
not be hidden out of sight in 1855. The
country is now in the enjoyment OF an indus
trial system which in a. quarter OF a century
has assured larger national growth, a more
| mid accumulation and broader distribution
| of wealth than were ever before known to his
terry. The American people WI now pe open zen
system shall be recklessiy ABANDONED ana a
new trial be made of an old experiment, when
has niformly led to national embarrass n1ent
and widespread individual distress. On the
result of such an issue. fairly presented to the
nopular Judgment, there is no room to doubt.
zone thing only is necessary to assure sue
cess complete harmony and cordial c 90
tion on the part of all republicaps-on me part
Of both those who aspire to lead and of those
who are eager to follow The duty Is not one
wf,nss record and whose aims are alike great,
butIt is one demanded by the instinct of self
in crest and by the still higher promptlngs OF
patriotism A closer observation of the condi-
lions Of life among the older nations gives one
a more intense desire that the American peo-
nile shall make no mistake in choosing the pol
lev which inspires labor with hope and crowns
it with dignity, which gives safety to capital
and protects its increase which secures politi
cal power to every citizen, comfort and culture
to every home. To this end not less earnestly
and more directly as private citizen than rs a
pubic candidate, 1 shall devote myself with
the confident belief that the administration OF
government Will be restored to the party which
has demonstrated the purpose and the power
to WELD il Tor the unity and the honor of the
republic. for the prosperity and progress OF the
people am very sincerely, yours.
JAMES G. BLAINE.