New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-27

retire from politics when he to Europe last year
| Io said that he had His letter Of withdrawal was
prepared some weeks ago lie had withheld 1t from
publication only of regard for the appeals in let
tcTs and dispatches OF personal friends In tho United
States who Knew Of his Intention and who had made
repeated requests TO him To keep back his declaration
The pTospccts of the bar1y were low much brighter
than they were In 1854, and that he could and Wouid
have much better chance OF being elected. lie had
replied TO thcm, however that he did not feel equal 10
the task OF another campaign. lie had reached the
urc happiness with his family. IL was now, and
when any great burden or strain would certainly in
iure his health lie was told In answer to this that
he need raise his finger In the mpagn, that he
could be elected If he should sit perfectly quiet ana
meeting ' To- S Mr. Blsno I replied that he woI i
not accept the nomination and do any less than he did
In the position OF not appearing TO take much in
tcresi in this years campaign as in the last Prcsdon
published his letter.
WHY HE CRITICISED CLEvELAND's TARIFF MESSAGE
said TO Mr.. Blaine that when he published from
Paris bis criticism OF tho Presidents tariff message
the people in the United States generally regarded
this as his formal temperance in tbs campaign
candidate.
Mr. Blaine replied that he understood that this
wa was tho impr'ss ON at tho time Of pcrLpttns that
Ing the message, and he saw in II an opportunity
for his party. lie became convinced at once that
II could win this year upon tn, issue made by the
Pres id.nt. What he said then was for tho purpose
o, bringing ont and making clear The possibility Of
his talk with IiIE TRIBUNE Correspondent al Paris
no was as fully decided ut"n his letter OF with
Blaine said that he thought tina, hs Ind made this
possibility of victory very plain and clear In his
had no personal suggestions to make 6cyond Tie GEM
cral outline which ho had already given OF what he
thought tho Republican party could do to win.
HE WILL SUPPORT, BCT NOT NAM. THE CANDIDATE.
i asked Mr.. Blaine about several OF tho prominent
candidates, seeking 80 gain some expression Of
opinion from him in negative and Indirect way
concerning his choice among them all I specially
asked him about Senator John sherman, what he
thought of HIS chances But instead of making any
answer ho asked me questions upon this subject and
wound up with a general statement that hc had
personal preferences to express, and that his hearty
support and sympathy would 20 to whomsoevcr
should be nominated 1t was evident from Mr.
Ilainos manner that II ne had had any personal
feeling in the past against any OF the Republican
leaders growing out OF previous Conflicts they
forgotten. Friends who have boon with him all
through the winter say that he speals of all OF his
political opponents I'm the philosophical tono
employed by him in his first volume of political his
toy lie Is not man who harbo% res -ntments
Influence against people who had fought against him
in the past but be has steadily refused to listen TO
any arguments In this direction lie desires perfect
harmony In tho Republican party and viii remain a
passive quantity so far as American politics are
concerned.
No LONGER rFsTKRED WITH NEWSPAPER srIFs
He IS at present as remote possible from al,
nection with American politics. lie is I'm a country
wbcro all tcegrapiic dispatches scrutlnzed, and
are practically public TO any who wishes 10 pay
bride to any of the minor officials, that he could
have means OF communicating privately with his
political friends except by mail.
When Mt Blaine Was pursued through Europe dur
$40 foowed him for TIE p purpose Of IN 'p pnd
soldering every petty Incident OF his visit. they
hroneS ho OF ecc dPaeh that he sent
Mr. Blaine has not been followed by any of these
asked Nj blaine # tie report that he was eeing
10 write a book upon his experiences IN Europe was
lie bad not tho slightest idea Of writing book about
his European experiences. Upon the whole II hid !
parts Of his TRIP very mmh but he he You'd S have muS
kept aioof from all questions OF politics.
AMERICAN COLONIES EUROPE.
Hc made a number OF observations upon Americans
WHO 1.-Two abroad pursuing aimcss lives following poty
social rounds in foreign capitals lilo said: a do not
understand how Americans, unless they called
over here on business be coDcnted TO settle down
IN Europe without any aim object beyond that of
getting Into foreign society or being taken up by some
81 the hangerS-on of foreign courts These people
are practically bsnshod They lead lazy lives sDd
amount to nothing. They end in losing thoir
try They lose their chance OF becoming some ono
at homo and never succeed in becoming anything
In foreign society. and rarely, II ever, become really
Intimate herewith" These remarks apply excu-
continually wandering from capital 10 capital over
,ere seeking social attention; and who deride and
kinks, however that these colonies are gradually
rowing smaller year by year, and that the majority
II study and for limited periods. The American col
my IN Paris he says: IS gradually diminishing. 1t
gradually 1t will almost disappear. The hest American
olony found abroad is found in England There
nearly oil OF the representatives Of country
Brought over by business. and there they find them
elves in natural and sympathetic relations with a
he same views as themselves.
GrIMpsrs or MR.. BLAINEs ENVIRONMENT.
One of the pictures of Mr. Blanes life in Florence
saw on the last afternoon Of my stay lie had Just
ome out from his hotel with Mrs Blaine for his after
noon drive. lie seated in open victoria, with a
omfoltabe looking italian coachnan. pcrcLed very
prght, cracking with Italian vvacity an enormous
'hp over the of stout bay horse, which ignored
river; Mr.. Blaine was mufnod up in a dark over
oat. because in spite Of the blaze OF the sun along
here sharp. biting wind sweeping down through
he valley of the Arno from the snow capped hills
laine. looking the Ney picture OF health AMI con
eminent and munlcd up IN her dark fnrs; presented
ago drawn by very spirited pair Of bay horses.
americans In the recession of carriages and sight
,es. He greeted everywhere with bows and
his moving of life and beauty, Mr. Blaine looked
'uch more contcnied than one could have imagined
hen he spoke of his rather dull year In Europe.
LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS RETURN.
Toward the close of my last call asked Mr. Blaine
hen he expected to return TO America
He said that he expected to roach New-York about
ie last Of June He expects to spend tho late spring
london. He has not yet determined upon his
ovoments After leaving Florence he will probably
straight to England from italy.
He said, with an air Of franhncss not to be mistaken
You have Idea what q relief II is 10 me TO think
lat | a out of the canvass. and that whom |
me back to New-York In the summer shall not DO |
ping back there 10 face reception ator reception aud
into the turmoil and excitement Of a political |
.nvass. come back quietly, after the con-
sntlon has decided the result and enjoy my |
Nn life In my own way, free, hope, from further |
riticsm comment T. c. CRAWFORD
PRESIDENTIAL POSSIBILITIES.