Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-06-07
BLAINE MEANS IT.
tie is Absolutely Gu Of the Race He
Dlspels ali DOub by Letter TO
VIII tia = Reid.
The ImpOsSibiiity OF His Accepting the
Nomination Without Seeming I'M
candid and lnsincere Pointed
0ut-F0rd for Protection.
MR.BLAINE's LATEST LETTER.

New YORK, May 29.-The Tribune, of
to-day, publishes the following letter from
Mr.. Blaine:
PARIS, May II, 1888.
Whitelaw Reid. editor New York Tribune
My DEAR SIR-Since my return to Paris
from southern Italy, on the Sth inst, 1
have learned what did nat before be-
lieye) that my name may yet be
presented 20 the national convention
as . candidate for the presidency
of the republican party. The single
phrase of my letter of January %, from
Florence (which was decisive of every
thing / had personal power to decided
has been treated by many of my most
valued friends as not absolutely conclusive
in ultimate and possible contingencies
On the other hand friends equally dc
voted and disinterested have construed
my letters (as 1T should be construed) to
N can unconditional Withholding of my
name frorl the national convention. They
have in consequence given their support
to eminent gentlemen who are candi-
dates for the Chicago nomination, some
of whom would not, am sure, have con
scented to assume that position if / had
desired to represent the party in the
presidential contest of 1888. If should
pow, by speech or by silence, by com
mission or omission, permit my name in
any event TO come before the convention,
/ should insur the reproach of being
uncandid with those who have
always been candid with me-.
/ speak therefore, because L am net
willing to remain in doubtful attitude.
| am not willing to be the cause of mis-
leading single man among the
millions who have given me their
suffrages and their confidence
| am not wiling that even one of lay
faithful supporters in the past should
think me capable of paltering III double
sense with my words. Assuming that
the presidential nomination could By
any possible chance be offered to me,
| could not accept it without leaving
in the minds of thousands OF these men
the impression that had NOT been free
from indirection, and therefore | could
not accept it at all. The mis-
representations Of malice have no
weight, but just displeasuro of friends
1 could not patiently endure. The re-
publican victory the prospects Of which
grow brighter every day, can be i'm.
periled only by lack of unity
in council or by acrimonious
contest over men. The issue
of protection is incidentally stronger
and greater than any man, for it con
Germs the prosperity of the present and
of generations yet to come. We're
it possible for every voter of the
republic TO see for himself the condition
of the reeompense of labor in Europe,
the party of free trade in the United
States wonld not receive the support of
one wage worker between tho two oceans.
It may not be directly in our power
as philantrophists, TO elevate
the European laborer but it will be a last
ing stigma upon our craftsmanship if we
permit the American laborer to be forced
down TO tire European level and in tue
end rewards of labor everywhere will be
advanced If we steadily refuse 70 lower
our SIT ard at home.
Yours very sincerely,
JAMES q. BLAINE.