The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-02-23
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
LLEWXAM'S LETTER FROM THE
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
What Prominent Politicians Think of
Rlaine's Alleged Letter of Withdraw.
aI.-The President in Florida The
Blair Bill Passes the Senate.
Special Correspondence of the Sentinel.

Blair Bill Passes the Senate.
Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 20
The one absorbing topic of converse
ton among Congressman, and politi-
clans generally, during the past week
has been Blaine's Nolo Episcopari
letter.
Opinions differ as to the intent of
the author, and the purposes anG eff
fects of the epistle. The anti-Blaine
Republicans are very much tickled,
and declare that the letter takes
Blaine entirely out of the race. The
Blaine Republicans, as a rule, express
the belief that the convention will
nominate their man, whether or no.,
and that when rendered the nomina
ton, he will be prevailed on to accept.
The Democrats endorse the latter
view, and are practically unanimous
in the belief that Blaine will yet be
the candidate Of his party this year.
They believe that this alleged letter of
withdrawal is only another Of the vi
ly Maine mans tricks, written for the
express purpose Of disarming his op
ponents, silencing opposition for the
time being, and ultimately bringing
about a practically unanimous nomi
nation in June, about which time he
is to return to America, much herald
ed with many trumpet blasts.
WHAT THE STATESMEN SAY.
Following are the views of some of
those representing all three sides of
the question
Senator Blair (Rep., n. H) "Mr.
Blaine undoubtedly means what he
SAYS, but in my opinion his declination
is misfortune to the Republican par
ty, because nobody else could get as
many votes as he could"
Senator Teller rep, Col): "Party
harmony will be preserved by Mr..
Blaine's action. He could be nomi-
mated, but having at heart the best in
terests of the party, he has declined"
Senator Frye (Rep., Me.) "Mr.
Blaine can still be a, candidate, but
not until the party calls for him.
Senator Mitchell (Rep., Ore.) :
"Should the Republican party call on
Mr.. Blaine he will respond not other
wise"
Senator Vance Dem, N. Co.
"Blaine will accept, if he is nominated
and thinks he has chance of cleo
ton"
Senator VOORHEES, Dem, Ind. 81
think the letter is very urgent APP
peal for the nomination and an at
tempt to make his party unitedly and
unanimously ask him to make the
race"
Senator Berry (Dem., Ark. laugh
ingly remarked that he had not form
ed an opinion yet, but the tenor of
what fe said showed that he had no
faith in the sincerity of the letter.
Senator Farwell (Rep., ILL.,: "In
reading between the lines, infer that
Mr.. Blaine has an eager desire for re-
nomination 1t seems to me that if it
were Mr.. Blaine's sincere intention to
decline or refuse the nomination, he
would have signed his name at the end
ofthe first paragraph"
Senator Ransom (Dem., n. O. ~
believe the letter expresses Blaine's
honest sentiments | think the Dem
ocrats will win the coming fight, no
matter whom the Republicans nomi-
nate"
In the opinion of some ofMr. Blaine's
friends in the House, Mr.. Blaine's let
ter declining the nomination will not
prevent his getting it. This is proba-
bly, the prevailing opinion among the
Republicans. Some, like Mr.. Peters
and Mr.. Funston, express the opinion
that Mr.. Gresham is the coming man.
Others think Mr. Sherman or Mr. AL
lison will get the nomination, accord
ing to their preferences. 1t is not ac-
cepted by Mr., Blaine's followers as at
all settled that the Plumed Knight
is not to lead the party rext fall.
Ex-Congressman Thad. c.. Pound.
of Wisconsin, who refused to support
Mr.. Blaine in 1884, says he regards
the letter as sincere, that Mr.. Blaine
meant every word he wrote. He ex-
presses the opinion that Mr.. Blaine
has done that which will contribute to
the success of the party and he says
that any candidate except Senator
Sherman will be elected.
Representative Perkins, of Kansas
declared that he was pleased with Mr.
Blaine's letter, not because he was op-
posed to Blaine, but because he felt
Blaine's withdrawal insured Republi.
can success.
Mr.. Gallinger, of New Hampshire
"I think the letter is genuine with
drawal, but I believe that Blaine
would accept the nomination if it was
rendered him in anything like unan-
imous manner"
Mr.. Harmer, of Pennsylvania
Blaine is aincere He has relieved
the party of many complications, and
has undoubtedly made way for a man
who will be elected"
Mr.. Milliken, of Maine: "Mr
Blaine is sincere, but his friends will
not change their course
Mr.. Browne, of Indiana: Mr.
Blaine would prefer the certainty o.
power in the incoming Republican
administration than to take the chan
ces of a personal contest. am fol
Ben Harrison"
Mr.. Symes, of Colorado : '4I think
Blame is sincere, but believe he woult
accept the nomination, if rendered
with anything like ananimity-" ).