The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-06
MR.. BLAINE's ATTITUDE.
How the Great Secretary Stands Regarding
the Nomination for the Presidency.

New York Special to Minneapolis Tribune
The situation is awkward for some very
good reasons. An unwritten law forbids q
Cabinet officer from becoming the rival and
competitor of his chief. No one under
stands this better than Mr.. Blaine. While
the talk of promises and pledges on his part
not to become candidate is, of course, the
veriest bosh. the Secretary knows full well
that when he accepted the State portfolio
that acceptance meant. in the etiquette of
official life, fidelity to the President and an
honorable attempt to make his ADMINISTERS
tion such . success that the people would
extend the lease for another term.
Mr.. Blaine is placed, therefore, in o most
delicate position. While not an avowed
candidate nothing but the contingency
of i'll health will keep his name out of
e enc Uu the movements e in hos favor but
he permits il. and whether this acquies-
cence, while still remaining in the Cabinet
and q confidential adviser of the President,
constitutes breach of honor is q question
which every person must determine for
If the President knows anything more
of Mr.. Blalpes intention than other peo-
ple he will not indicate it. He has
great confidence In and great admira-
tion for the Secretary. but he never can
be betrayed into an expression of opin-
ion regarding the attitude of Mr.. Blaine.
even to his intimates. Certainly he IL
generous chief and is SO recognized by
all members of bis official family. An illus
tration was given of this the other day 10y
q gentleman connected with the State De-
partment, and, while told in confidence.
came to the writer in such q way that he
may repeat 1t without violating faith.
During the Presidents trip West il Will be
remem bered that the Italian complication
was pending. In q certain dispatch sent
ont by the State Department occurred q
passage that gained for Mr.. Blaine the
widest praise. The press took it up not
only in this country. but in England, and
many were the hattering comments on the
sagacity and brilliancy of the Secretary of
State. This passage was written by the
original draft of the dispatch in his own
hand. but he has been content to let others
receive the honor.
The same is true regarding many other
state papers. the keenness and cOmprehen-
sion of the President being never displayed
to better advantage than In his wise sug-
gestiOns regarding the conduct Of our
foreign affairs The negotiations regard
ing the Behring sea complications were
conducted almost wholly BY the President
this being rendered necessary by the at
that time aggravatlnG illness of MIR. Blaine.
The President would not for one moment
assume to be euch a master of diplomacy as
the world recognizes Mr.. Blaine TO be. but
equipped all round statesman wbich the
president of great govern ment ought to
be, equal to any emergency md prepared
to cope with any question. domestic or
foreign.
Now. In such state of affairs. what
should be done9 What can Mr.. Blaine do,
and what ought he to do? Ii he is going TO
be % candidate, saw some. he should retire
from the Cabinet at once. But suppose he
is not a candidate and refuses to become
SUCH but shall be nominated without his
consent, then whats Is Mr.. Blame required
by the canons of good faith to declare that
he will not accept a nomination, even if
rendered to him without his seeking or, as
ali alternative. retire from position which
he graces and which every BODY wants him
TO retalnf Certainly this would seem like
a harsh Interpretation of official courtesy.
On the other hand, if no remains in the
Cabinet and shall be nominated accusations
of bad faith will be inevitable. Mr.. Blaine
understands this. and his hold on the re-
spect and admiration of Republicans is too
universal to be loOsened or even periled by
adOubtful attitude. The conclusion is plain.
Mr.. Blaine will either resign and become an
acknowledged candidate, or announce that
under DO circumstances will he accept q
nomination, and he " iii do this within the
next sixty days. Which course he will pur-
sue Will depend something upon his phys
condition, but the chances are that he will
decline. Indeed, there is not an intimate
friend of his prominent in public life who
does not expect this The only doubt about
it is caused by the delay in such announce
ment, which they had supposed would be
made some time ago. But this delay has
been caused by the circumstances alluded
to heretofore. and is still delayed for the
same reason.
Mr.. Blaine eau resign and enter tho field
without any reasonable ground of COM
plant. If he should be nominated without
resigning it would. as has been said. give
rise to accusations of bad faith. and in the
present condition of political affairs no
man can go into a campaign safely without
the united and enthusiastic support of his
party.