Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-01
UADER NO CONSIDERATION
w IL Mr.. BLAINE ACCEPT THE NOM.
NATION FOR PRESIDENT.
His Florence Letter Must be Considered
Inal-Unaware iof the Efforts His
Friends Were Naking-Ihe full
Text of IA Later Letter.

New YORK, May 29-The Tribune will
print tomorrow the following letter from
Mr.. Blaine to Whitelaw Reid
PARIS, May L.
Since my return to Paris from Southern
Italy on the sth inst, have learned what
| did not before believe that my name
may yet be presented to the national con-
venton as a candidate for the presidential
nomination of the republican party A
single phrase of my letter of January 25th
from Florence (Which was decisive OF
everything had the personal power TO de
eide, has been treated by many of my
most valued friends as not absolutely con-
elusive in ultimate and possible contin-
gencies on the other hand, friends equal
ly devoted and disinterested have con-
strued my letter (as it should be con-
strueD to be an unconditional withhold
ing of my name from the national conven-
ton. They have in consequence given
their support to eminent gentlemen
who are candidates for the Chi
cago nomlndtlOu, some OF whom
would not, am sure. have
consented to assume that position if |
had desired to represent the party in the
presidential contest of ISIS.
If should now, by speech or by silence,
by commission or omission, permit my
name IN any event to come before the con-
vention, | should incur the reproach of
being uncandid with those who have al
ways been candid with me. speak, there
fore, because | am not willing to remain
III doubtful attitude. am not willing
to be the cause of misleading a single man
among the millions who have given me
their sut1rages and their confidence. |
am not willing that even one OF my faith
full supporters in the past should think me
capable of palterng in IA double sense with
my words. Assuming that the presiden-
tial nomination could by any possible
chance be offered me, could not accept
it without leaving III the minds of thou
sands of these meu, impress lions that |
had no been free from indirecton and
therefore | could not accept IL at all. The
m srepresentdllOuS OF malice nave no
weight but the just dsplaasure of friends
/ could not patiently endure.
Republican victory, the prospects OF
which grow brighter every day, can he
lmperilled only by lack of unity IN coun-
Gil or by an Acrimonious contest over men.
The issue OF protection is incaculably
stronger and greater than any man, for
it concerns the pros perty of the present
and generations yet to come, Were it
possible for every voter of the republic
to see for himself the condition
and recompence OF labor in Europe, the
parry of free trade in the nited
States would not receive the support
OF one wagewOrker between the two oceans.
1t may not be directly IN our power as
philanthroplsts to elevate the European
-dborer but it Will be lasting stigma upon
our states manship If we permit the a Amer-
lean laborer to be forced down to the
European level. Aud IN the eud the re-
wards of labor everywhere will be ad-
vAuced if we steadily refuse to lower the
standard at home.
Yours very sincerely,
JAMES G.. BLAINE.