The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-09

perfect FAIRNESS and good sense Is shown
In the writing of this letter of declInation
at the present time. All persons who have
been in doubt as to his intentions can
now be at rest Certainty takes the place
OF uncertainty. and the question of the
presidential nomination Is now greatly
simpliied. Gentlemen who desire TO con-
tend for the honor will now have ample
time in which to announce and prosecute
their candidacy. 1t seems TO me. however,
that the denomination or President Harri-
son Is now assured. 1t is certainly the
logic of tho situation. In fact, to go to the
country on the strength of his splendid ad-
ministration with Benjamin Harrison left
out would be most unnatural ana illog-
loal proceeding. He has demonstrated be-
yond all question that be is clean,
courageous and brainy man. and his ad-
ministration has been. without doubt. q
magnificent one. The people of the
country have grown to admire him
fer bis bravery and to, respect
that the masses of the people. irrespective
of party. have the utmost confidence In his
integrity and Judgment Even the Demo-
cratic politicians c0nCede his high charac-
ter. ability and patriotism. If the Repub-
lican party cannot succeed in the approach
ing contest with Benjamin Harrison as its
standard bearer. and upon the strength of
his splendid administration, In my humble
opinion IL cannot succeed at all. He is, as
experience shows, a safe man-one who can
be relied upon under any and all emergen-
cies. If nominated he will make no mis-
takes as a candidate. He will neither say
nor do anything that will impair his
strength OF imperil the chances Of
believe he will continue after his
nomination to grow upon the country and
to strengthen the party just as he did from
the very inception of his first candidacy up
ans of Indiana, especially, should at once
rally around the President and give him
their earnest aud united support. This
should be done not simply from motives of
State pride but also because it is the wisest
from party standpoint, and because the
denomination and election of President
Harrison will signify the continued prog
ress and prosperity of the Nation"
CALIFORNIA Is NOW FOR HARRISON.
Representative McKenna. Of California,
said the letter of Mr.. Blaine would be ac-
cepted as final withdrawal from the can
vass for the presidency. "Of course. the
Secretary's popularity in our State goes
without saying, but his declination leaves
us with strong. acceptable candidate.
President Harrison has given the country
one of the best administrations it ever had;
he Is able and conscientious, Republican
through and through. and he will receive
the support OF our State, and as candi-
date carry it without question"
Representative PIckler. of South Dakota,
says: South Dakota will now be for Har-
rison. She was naturally for Blaine. He
was her ideal. Harrison has made fine
administration and will now have second
term beyond doubt. | think Blaine is for
Harrison beyond doubt"
Representative VDonnell, of Michigan,
said that he considered Mr.. Blaine's with
drawal sincere and final. He thought it
strengthened ME-. Harrison and I'm mproved
the chances of other candidates.
Democratic Congressman did not seem
to be surprised at Mr.. Blaine's withdrawal.
Representative Ellis. chairman of the
was in his committeeman conversing with
several members. and said that he ex-
pected the withdrawal It would un-
doubtedly tend TO increase the chances of
President Harrison for the nomination.
''But not for election" said Representative
Montgomery, who was pacing the floor of
the cOmmttee-room. Judge Montgomery
expressed no SUI Iprise at the withdrawal of
Mr.. Blaine.
Representative Tarsney, chairman of the
committee on labor, expressed himself to
the effect that he thought all along that it
was MIR. Blaine's intention to Withdraw
from the field as q candidate and the rea-
son for his holding back his withdrawal,
as long as he did. was TO keep other candi-
dates out of President Harrison's way. He
thought that the President would not
have much opposition, although the. anti
Harrisonltes were endeavoring to boom
amount to much. "Only DEATH" said Mr..
Tarsney, "can prevent the nomination of
MIR. Harrison for the presidency"
THINKS IT BAD FOR REPUBLICANS.
Representative McMillin. of Tennessee,
said the letter was one he had been ex-
pecting for a year or more. Secretary
Blaine's health was such that he could not
undertake the fatigues of another cam
g. 4
was five years ago the letter would have
never been written. said Mr.. McMillin. or
he would never have gone into President
Harrison's Cabinet.
will it be good thing for the Repub-
llcan partyg"
mo; 1T will be bad thing have looked
upon Mr. Blaine for several years as the
strongest man the Republicans could nom-
mate. He could make inroads upon the
Democratic party which Mr. Harrison
could not. and that is the qualification
of a candidate, which, in these days, is
the compelling one."
Representative Catchings, of Mississippi,
Mr. McMillin scolleague on the committee
on rules, took diametrically opposite view.
II have long believed that President Har-
rison was the strongest candidate the Re-
publicans could nominate. and this letter
assures his nomination by acclamation. /
believe that the letter is genuine. honest
declaration of the Secretary's inten ton to
ment accepted by his friends"
Representative Peel, of Arkansas said
the letter would doubtless bring to the
front number of candidates who W ould
otherwise keep in the background. But
the outcome of the situation in his opinion
was the denomination of President Harri-
son. Straying over the line Representative
Peel concurred in what Senator Brice said:
THAT no one could tell who would be
nominated by the Democratic convention"
W. In i0p hat pa,<
Cleveland nor Mr.. Hill could be nominated
Senator Vance. of North Carolina. said:
ut is very wise letter; it IS a very proper
the condition of his health was such that
he could not endure the strain of another
campaign. He also doubtless felt that
when the time came his party would nomi-
nate him any how"
The WASHINGTON Post (anti-BlaIne) SAYS:
The announcement will cause sincere re-
lican party throughout the country. Even
among those who did not believe bis noDi-
nation wise or in the interest of party sue
cess there was none who did not admit his
great fOllOwing-a following not only
thusiasm that any man has ever led In this
The Post predicts that within a
week there Will be q considerable accession
In the number of candidates. 1t adds: "Mr.
Blaine's withdrawal from the presidential
race will be accepted as honest and final.
IL entities him to rest from the structure
and censure of those who did not favor his
candidacy"