The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-03-01

obtains about that quantity. and considers him
self well paid. A Yankee, with the jack knife
he grew up with. would whittle off ten times
as much in the same time; and with the intro
ducton of machinery would soon realize
fortune. FANNIE b. WARD
The Republican Standard Bearer.
The following editorial published last week
in the Kennebcc Journal, is evidently from the
pen of Hon. John L. Stevens and may be ac-
| cepted both as an exposition of Mr.. BIanc'> at
titude from the standpoint of an intimate
friend and as an expression of the sentiments
of a large majority of Maine Republicans.
A FEW WORDS on THE PRESIDENTIAL NoMI-
NATION.
Language is at best an imperfect medium of
communication. Neither angels nor men have
been able to speak in words whose meaning
has not been subject to debate. The Sermon on
the Mount has not been an exception. Surely,
it should not be expected that a statesman
could express himself at length on exciting
questions of politics without having his lam
guasc and motives sharply criticised by some
and misunderstood by others. The Free Trad
ers who say the letter of James q. Blaine re-
gar,ling his Presidential candidacy is in>incere,
| and double in its meaning, do him only a little
more injustice than those Republicans who
con>true his lucid and explicit words to declare
that he would refuse to be the standard bearer
in the approaching national contest on the I'M
perative demand Of the Republican millions of
the land. There is not Il shadow of a doubt
that the Presidency has not the attractions to
him that it once had 1t is equally certain that
time and events have Sohered and ripencd his
| mind and character. a, they generally do those
of public men of the highest qualities. 1t is also
probably true, that if he We're allowed to make
his own choice, he would quite a> lief do SER
vice for his country in some other position a>
in the Presidential Office. Having been cncc
the candidate Of the Republican party for the
highest honor in its possible Gift. he feels that
he cannot allow himself even to seem to de
| mand Il renomination Every word he uttcr>
in the letter is as clear As crystal and thorough
! y sincere, as we have the most conclusive rea-
sons for declaring. So far rs he is concerned
his letter puts aside and abandon> I'LL claims and
| pretenson> to the candidacy, but il does not
abate one lota OF the sovereign right of the
people. 1t is very plain that while be wishes
to leave to the national convention absolute
| freedom of action. he does not say or Imply,
| does not intend to say or imply, that if the Re-
publican millions through their chosen dele
gates should unitedly demand of him to accept
| the candidacy, he would negative their wishes
| aud command. Having known him intimately
| in private and public life for forty years. we
confidently say this much weighing well the
| mport of our words. Chauncey N. Depew,
| than whom no man in America ha, clearer,
| cooler head, who knows fully Mr.. Blne'>
| views and feelings a> to the candidacy. eN-
| presses the exact truth in tlics" words If. in
| the failure to agree in the convention upon
some one of the admirable names presented.
there should he a sudden and uncomfortable
enthusiasm for Mr. Blaine. and he should he
| nominated by acc1anaiOli. and the convention
! then adjourned, | do not believe that h" would
make il necessary for the convention to be call
| ed together again"
| There are now other candidates in the field.
| on whom the choice of thg national convention
! may fall. John Sherman has numerous @Ip-
| porter> and he is Il statesman whose long an,
distinguished public service prove him to have
Il ley el head. and the solid qualities for an al
mirabIe Chief Magistrate. Others have earnest
| friends in various States. whose abilities and
merits need not be ignored. The Republicans
of Maine are ready to give their votes in No
vember for the choice of the convention. whG-
| ever he shall be. But mt this time. and that is
likely to be their position until the Chicago
| Convention shall have made its decision, they
believe that they are entitled To the services Of
Mr.. Blaine in whatever duty the Republicans
of the nation shall impose on him. and that it
| devolves expressly on the people to make the
candidate. Above and before all. the nonina-
tion should not be made by Congressional i'll
| trgue> and combinations. Whenever Il nonl:-
nation has been attempted in this way. a bad
mess has been made Of it, More than sixty
| wears ago Congressman wisely rrmteu the
work of Presidential nominations to the peo-
pie. and to them this duty properly belongs.
The atmosphere of Washington is not congenial
| tc wise popular action of this kind.
| That atmosphere is not the product of the
| free. untettereI airs which come from the hills.
| the praries and the two oceans. The pros
| poets of Republican success in the approaching
contest are highly encouraging. 1t is Of the ut
most Importance that the nomination shall lie
| the spontaneous, uncon>tranel choice of the
| Republican masses. Never before was this de-
mand manifest and SO imperative. 1t is time
| that all fully understood, that the people, and
not the aspirant>, should make the nomination.
| The Republican party needs to fully mhihe the
| spirit of Rome in her best days-tho>e whom
Romans select for high posts of duty must
| know 10 obligations, no personal interests nor
convenience. but those Of duty to Rome The
Republicans of Maine believe that their tli>tin-
gui>hed statcman will be ready to perform
whatever service shall be assigned to him by
! the voice of his party at the present crisis of
| the industrial and commercial interests of his
country Those who speak for Mr.. Blaine and
| for the Republicans of Maine in any other Ian
guage and spirit than this, if such there be, ut
ter words which they are not authorized to
| speak.