The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-05-07
Nh. BLAiKE's PURPOSE.

IL IL not reasonably TO be doubted
that Mr.. Blaine could get the Re-
publican nomination for the presl-
dsncy next year II he desired Il, just
ss he could have had u In 1855 by
saying that he wanted IL; but the
fact seems TO be that he no longer
has any ambition in that direction.
He has not yet formally and pOsitI-
vely said ~ much. 20 be sure, but
tho declaration Of his closest friends
indicate that such statemet IL to
be expected from him in case he
shall think IL necessary thus to
silence all doubt and speculation
upon the subject. His reasons for
not desiring to 60 through another
campaign involving much hard
work and great anxiety are we'll
understood. He IL not the robust
and energetic man that he was some
years ago. A long period Of public
service In various capa cities requir-
ing much mental and physical exer-
ton has told upon his strength to an
extent that admOnishes him that he
can not afford to assume any I'M
usual risks In the way Of labor and
excitement. He II IN fair health
but he has not the superfiuous
vitality that would Justify him In
undertaking such q canvass as he
would feel bound 10 make II he
should accept the nomination. He
II we'll suited with the position that
he now holds, Its duties being Of
such . character that he can perform
them with comparative ease; and Il
may be safely inferred that he
chooses to remain there for the pur-
pose OF closing his career with the
assured success Of his policy OF re-
cIpIocity.
There, are those, OF course, who
will say that this IL mere make
believe, or that he fOresees defeat In
the event Of his nomination; but
there IL no Just ground for assertions
Of that kind. We know that he was
In earnest In 1885. ard the situation
Is practically the same In this In
stance. He could have been elected
then, and he could he elected In
1892 The DEVOTION OF his supporters
il as pronounced and enthusiastic
as It ever was, aud his general stand
ing with the country IL better than
it has been at any previous time.
This makes the nomination n very
tempting thing, but he has evident
ly resolved to put 10 aside under any
circumstances. The impression pre-
walls that q longing for the Presi.
dency IL an IneFadicable fever, and
that when a man once acquires IL he
never loses Il until he dies; but Mr..
Blaine appears to be an unduestion-
able exception to the rule. There
was Q time when the hope and ex-
peetation Of reaching that great
Office absorbed his thoughts and
controlled all Of his proceedings;
but he has come TO take q different
view OF the matter. The gratlfica-
lion Of knowing thst his party has
implicit confidence In him Is worth
q great deal to him, as he says: and
experience has taught him that this
could not be augmented, but might
be diminished, were he 10 become
president. He prefers, therefore, to
let well enough alone, practically
speaking. His fame l. secure, his
name IL q household word. his life IL
gliding smoothly and happily TO lite
close. He has been one Of the COM
mandIng figures In American poll
ties for many years, and has reaPed
Q large share Of the hoDors Of public
service. In the spirit Of 3 true
philosopher, he declines to reach
forth for other lsuEels when by so
doing he might forfeit more than he
would gain; and the people can best
please him by taking him at his
word when he says toat he has
ceased TO care for the proficiency
Globe Democrat