Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-30
From the New York Tribune. To-day.

From the New York Tribune To-day
PARIS, May L., 1888.
WhitetdW Reid, Esq, Editor Ne,o York Tribune:
My Dear Sr-Since my return TO Paris from
Southern Italy, on the sth instant, have learned
[what did not before believe) that my name may
yet be presented TO the national convention as
candidate for the presidential nomination OF the
republican party. single phrase OF my letter OF
January %, from Florence (Which was decisive OF
everything had the personal power to decide,
has been treated by many or my most valued
friends as not absolutely conclusive In ultimate
and possible contingencies. On the other hand,
friends equally devoted and disinterested have
construed my letter tas It should be construed)
be an unconditional Withholding OF my name from
the national convention. They have, in conse-
Quence, given their support to eminent gentlemen
who are candidates for the Chicago nomination,
some OF whom would not, am sure, have con-
sented TO assume that position II had desired TO
represent the party In the presidential contest OF
1883
Ii should now, by speech or by silence by CON-
mission or omission, permit my name, In any event.
TO come before the convention, should incur the
reproach or being uncandid with those who have
always been candid with me- i speak, therefore
because am not willing TO remain In doubtful
attitude. am not willing TO be the cause OF mis-
leading a single man among the millions who have
given me their sufIrages and their confidence.
am not willing that even one OF my faithful sup
porters In the past should think capable OF pal
tering In a double sense with my words. Assum-
ing that the presidential nomination could by any
possible chance be offered 10 me, could not ac-
cept 1t without leaving In the minds OF thousands
OF these men the impression that had not been
free from indirection and, therefore, I could not
accept II at all Inc mlsrepresentations OF malice
have weight but the just displeasure OF friends
could not patiently endure.
Republican victory, the prospects OF which grow
brighter every day, can be imperiled only by lack
OF unity in council or by acrimonious contest over
men. Tine issue OF protection Is incalculably
stronger and greater than men, for IL concerns the
prosperity OF the present and or generations yet
come. Were IL possible for every voter OF the re-
public to for himself the condition and recon-
pense OF labor in Europe the party OF freetrade in
the United States would not receive the support
OF one wage-worker between the two oceans. II
may not be directly in our power as phIlanthro-
pists to elevate the European laborer, but It will
be a lasting stigma upon our statesmanship II we
permit the American laborer TO be forced down to
the European Level And In the end the rewards
OF labor everywhere will be advanced, IL We stead
lily refuse to lower the standard at home.
(signeO JAMES @. BLAINE
THE "TRIBuNEs" CoNMKNTs
The Tribune says editor1ally regarding Mr
Blaine's letter: "We print elsewhere letter from
MI. Blaine fatly making an end Of any possible
consideration OF his name for the Chicago nomi-
nation. All now know that but for the Florence
letter MI Blaine was sure 70 be nominated by acca-
% 80 an
the overwhelming desire OF republicans every
where to make him the candidate In spite Of him.
SELF that OF late there has been little doubt among
either friends or foes that the nomination would
still be rendered him. With q full knowledge OF
this he makes haste 70 say that he now considers
himself bound by his Florence letter to refuse
nomination, even II IL came TO him unsought and
against his expressed wishes. This is an act OF
magnan1mous self-abnegatton rare in political
history and sure TO command the appreciation OF
his regretful, but admirtng, countrymen. Meantime
the republican party is confronted with the 1mme-
the party In power, II thinks IL has many men In
its ranks ut Tor the highest h0nors OF the country.
The one question now, as from the beginning, Is,
which Of them Is at once sure OF the republican
states and strongest In the doubtful states?"