Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-02-18
nLAIHx our or rnrRAC

BLAINE OUT or rnE RACE
ne Declines to Allow His Name 70 be Pre-
sented-The Body Of His Letter
NJ DecliHation.
PTrTssuRa, Pa, February 13.-The Pitts
burg Commercial Gazette publishes the fol-
lowing to-day:
Mr.. B. F. Jones, Of the national republi-
can committee, has received letter from
Mr.. Blaine declining to allow his name to be
presented to the national republican con-
vention "a candidate for the presidential
nomination.
Mr.. Jones, when asked whether Mr..
Blaine's declination would prevent his
friends from nominating him anyhow, said:
"As am chairman If the national commit
tee, do not think it would be proper for
me to have anything to say on that subject. y
"Do you think Mr.. Blaine xould accent
the nomination If rendered to him?"
II have no authority to speak for Mr.
Blaine and have no conJectures to offer on
the subject. The letter speaks for itself and
l must decline to be Interviewed ON the
question"
The following is Mr.. Blaine's letter in
full:
B. f. Jones. Esq. Chairman of the National Re-
publican Convention.
FLORENCE, ITALY, February 25.-Sir: /
wish through you to state to the members of
the republican party, that my name will not
be presented to the national convention
called to assemble in Chicago in June next
for the nomination of candidates for presi-
dent and vice-presi6ent of the United States.
III 81 cd fr,f h 49, L.
erations entirely personal to myself, of
which you were advised more than year
ago. But caonot make the announcement
without giving expression to my deep sense
OF gratitude to the 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 adherance of
fellow partisans, and to partake somewhat
of personal attachment. For this most gener-
GUS loyalty of friendship can make no ade-
quate return, but shall carry the memory
of it while life lasts.
Nor can 1 refrain from congratulating
the republican party upon the cheering pros
poets which distinguish the opening of the
national contest of 1888 as compared with
that of 1884. In 1882 the republican party
throughout the union met with dis
astrous defeat. Ten states that supported
Garfield and Arthur in the election of 1880
were carried by the democrats b, majorities
or pluralities.
The elections of 1885 and 1887 have dem
onstrated growing strength in the republi-
can ranks. Seldom in our political history
has party, defeated in national election,
rallied Immediately with such vigor as have
the republicans since 1884. No comparison
ia possible between the spirit of the party in
1928 and its spirit in 1867. The two peri
DDS present simply contrast-the one of
general depression, the other of enthusiastic
revival. Should the party gain in the re-
suits of 1888 over those of 1867, in any
thing like the proportion of the gain of 1884
over 1892 it would secure one of the most
remarkable victories of its entire existence.
Another feature of the political situation
should inspire republicans with irresistible
strength. The present national administra-
ton was elected with, if not upon, the re-
peated assertions of it leading supporters in
every protection state that no issue on the
tariff vas involved.
One thing only is necessary to assure sue,
harmony and cordial
co operation on the part of all re-
pu ,icans- the part both of those who
aspire to lead and of those who are eager to
follow. The duty is not one merely of hon.
orable devotion to the party whose record
and whose aims are alike great, but it is one
demanded by the instinct of self-interest
and by the still higher promptings of pa
triotism. A closer observation of the con-
ditions of life among the older nations
gives one more intense desire that the
American people shall make no mistake in
choosing the policy which inspires labor
with hope and crowns it with dignity,
which gives safety to capital and protects its
increase, which secures political power to
every citizen, comfort and culture to every
home.
To this end, not less earnestly and more
directly as private sitizen than as a public
I shall devote myself with the
confident belief that the administration of
the governments will be restored to the party
which has demonstrated the purpose and
the power to WELD it for the unity and honor
Of the republic, for the prosperity and prog
ress of the people, am, very sincerely
yours, JAMES G. BLAINE.