Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-13
NOT In THE FIELD.
BLAINE DECLARES HIMSELF OFT
OF THE RACE.
The Plumed Knight on the Presi-
dental Questionable Tariff
Issue Again.


PrrrsBURG, February 12th.-The Comn,er-
ciat Gazette will publish the following to-
morrow; Ben Jones, Chairman of the Ma
tional Republican Committee has received
letter from Mr. Blaine declining to allow
his name to be presented to the National
Republican Convention as candidate for
the Presidency.
Nj Jones, when asked whether Mr..
Blaine's declination would prevent his
friends from nominating him anyhow, said
" As am Chairman of the National Com
mittee, | DO not think it would be proper
for me to have anything to say on that SUBJ
ject'
g Do you think Mr.. Blaine would accept
the nomination, if rendered."
have no authority to speak for Mr..
Blaine, and have no conjectures to offer on
the subject. The letter speaks for itself,
and / must decline to be interviewed, on
the question"
THE Letter ITSELF.
The following is Mr.. Blaine's letter in
full:
FLORENCE Qtalyl, January 25, 1883.
To b. T. Jones, Chairman Of the Republican Na-
tiORdl COnamitee-SIR: | wish through Won TO
state to the members of the Republican party
that my name will not be presented to the Ma
uonal Convention called to assemble in Chicago
IN June next for the nomination Of candidates
Tor PRESIDENT and Nlce-President of the United
States. l am constrained TO this decision by
considerations entirely personal to myself Of
which you were advised more than year ago.
But cannot make this announcement without
giving expre ssion to my sense OF gratitude to the
many thousand of my countrymen who have
sustained me SO long and so cordially. That
feeling has seemed To go beyond the ordinary
political adherence of telloW-pal tisans and to
partake somewhat of the nature of Il personal
attachment. For this most generous loyalty OF
frlendshlp eau make no adequate return, but
shall carry the memory of it while life lasts.
Nor can l refrain from congratulating the Re-
publican party upon the cHeering prospects
which distinguish the opening of the national
1882. In 1882 the Republican party
throughout the United States met with
a disastrous defeat Ten States that had
supported Garfield and Arthur in the election
OF 1880 were carried by the Democrats, either
by majorltles or pluralities. The Republican
loss in the Northern elections, compared with
the preceding national election, exceeded half
a million votes, and the electoral votes of the
Union, divided on the basis of the result of 1851
gave the Democrats over 800 electors out of a
total of 40. There was a partial reaction in
iaVor OF the Republicans IN the elections OF 1885,
but the Democrats still held possession of seY-
era1 Northern States, and on the basis of the
years contest could show more than 100 major
lty in the electoral college of the whole
country. But against the discouragement
naturally following the adverse elections of
these two years, the spirit of the Republican
party III the National contest of 1884 rose high
and the Republican masses entered into the
campaign with such energy that the final result
depended on the vote of single State and that
State was carried by the Democratic party bv a
plurality SO small that it represented less than
one-eleventh of ten per cent. OF the entire vote
The change of single vote in every 1000 of
the total poll would have given the Slate to the
Republicans, though only two years before the
Democratic plurality exceeded COO
The elections of 1886 and 1887 have demon
strated the growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom i'll our political history has a
party defeated in national election rallied i'm
mediately with such vigor as have the Repub-
icans since 1884. No comparison is possible be-
tween the spirit of the party in 1885 and its
spirit in 1867. The two periods present simply
a contrast-the one of general depression and
the other of enthusiastic 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 lSS2-3, 1t would secure one of
the most remarkable victories of It's entire exist.
ence.
But victory does not depend on so large a
ratio of increase. The party has only 10 main
tain relatively its prestige of iSS6S7 10 give 10
its national candidate every Northern s. att but
one, with far better prospect OF carving that
one than it has had tor at least SIX years
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE Political SITUATION
Should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present natiouul Adlniuiss ration
was elected with, II Lot upon, The repeated as
SeTtlons OF It's leading supporters in every rn-
lection state that no issue on the tariff was
involved However urgently Republicans
urged that question as the one of
controlling impoItanes in the campaign,
they were met by the DeIa,cratic
leaders and journals with persistent evasion
cOnceGment and denial. That resource the
President has fortunately removed. The issue
which the Republicans maintained and the
Democrats avoided in 1881 has been promi-
nently and specifically brought forward Dy the
Democratic President, and cannot be hidden
out OF sight in 1888. The country is now in the
enjoyment of an Industrial system which in y
quarter OF century has assured larger
national growth, more rapid accumulation
and a broader distribution of wealth than
were ever before known 10 history The Amer
lean people will now be openly ana formally
asked to decide whether this system shall be
reckIessly abandoned, and new trial be made
OF an old experiment which has uniformly led
TO national embarrassment and widespread in
diyidual Distress
OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH AN ISSUE.
Fairly presented to the popular Judgment there
Is no room for doubt. One thing only is needed
to assure Success-complete harmouv and cor
dial cooperation on the part both of those who
aspire to lead and ofthose who are eager to fol-
low. The duty is not merely of honorable deyo-
ton TO the party whose record and whose arms
are allke great, but it is one demanded by the
lHstinct OF seli-interest and by the still higher
promptings of patriotism. A closer observation
OF the conditions of life among the older ma
tions gives one more intense desire that the
American people shall make no mistake in
choosing the policy which inspires labor with
nope and crowns il with dignity; which gives
safety to capital and protects its increase:
which secures political power to every citizen,
ana comfort and culture to every home
10 TINS end, not less earnestly and more
directly as private citizen than as a public
candidate, shall devote myself. with the CON
hdent belief that the administration of the
government will be restored to the party which
mas demonstrated the purpose and the power to
WELD it for the unity and the honor of the
republic, and for the prosperity and progress OF
the people. am, very sincerely yours.
JAMES @. RrA