The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-09

1883 his action was 4 genuine surprise to
The average politician. but many able
men looked upon it as the happiest stroke
OF a man whose political career had been
full OF felicity both Of action and of
expression. No matter what was the
ruling cause Of the many motives ascribed
to him. his decision not TO be q candidate
in 1855 left Blaine stronger in the adj
miration of unselfsh friends, higher in
the respect of upright and highminded
political opponents, than any other act
of his life.
IL was then said that If Mr.. Blaine de-
clined to run because he did not believe he
could be elected he was certainly wise
man; If he thought he conid be elected
but declined because he did not consider
the presidency worth having at the ex-
pense OF another mercless mud campaign
and wished to spare his wife and flniIy its
disgusting indignities, then he was more
than shrewd politieian-he was a self
respecting man and considerable husband;
IL he had become fascinated with the
opportunities of life free from vulgar
political vexations, full of eevating leis-
ure for literary pursuits and foreign travel,
then he showed capacity for rising above
politics to higher fields of enjoyment that
marked superior calmness of choice and
taste which his enemies at least had never
suspected on his part.
In 1888 it was said that II Blaine had
rather take the political certainty of the
subordinate honors in his party, that were
Bure TO be his whenever he wants them,
than carry the Republican eagle in tho
next battle, who can deny the worldly
wisdom of his ehoice2 If the party is
victorious Blaine knows that no matter
who is president he, Blaine, is sure of
honorable political recognition and con-
fidcnce, if he cares to stay in court If
he does not desire to taste further of po-
litical honors he is wise, and if he does
desire further political honors he is wise.
Another unsuccessful campaign for the
presidency would be too bitter to be borne,
while successful campaign would not
be without its bitterness. and could hard
ly add cubit to his political stature, but
might even diminish it.
of Mr.. Blaine took of his refusal to be the
party candidate in fsSs. lie was but four
years distant then from his defeat in 1881;
he was but 81 years of age, and could afford
to wait for time, the great healer of politi-
cal wounds and CONSIDER of personal dis
appointments, to do its work in allaying
factional animosities and fusing discord-
ant party elements. With the reputation
and popularity that Mr.. Blaine would be
sure TO win as President Harrison's secre-
tary of state, he would be in prime condi-
ton TO make q successful race in 1852.
There is little doubt that Mr.. Blaine
himself shared this expectation of his
friends up to the date of his prostration
by the illness that kept him for several
months absent from his duties as secretary
of state. There is no doubt that Mr..
Blaine's administration of his official
duties and his interjection of his success
fnl reciprocity policy into the body of the
Mckinley tariff had wonderfully increased
his reputation with men of all parties.
and had made him tile most popular states
man of his party. In the Bering sea diff
Guilty, and in the Chilean controversy. he
won the admiration of intelligent men of
all parties by his tact. moderation and
good sense: he had not been compelled
to take an acrimonious part in the
great political debates over the tariff, free
silver coinage and agricultural reforms. so
that above and beyond any other Republi-
can, Mr.. Blaine was the fayorite of all
shades OF Republicans; he was the
choice of all the Republican regular
army; his name was most poten-
tial TO charm back 10 their ALLEGIANCE
the party insurgents and deserters from
the Republican camp; he had the full con-
hdence of both Eastern and Western Re
publicans as TO his soundncss on the
questions of tariff and the currency. and
as the father OF the reciprocity clause of the
tarih, he was stronger before the people
than even the able author and expoundcr
OF the Mckinley bill
Mr.. Blaine had the fairest prospect Of
success this year that has ever offered itself
90 him since 1876 In 1854 he drew unex.
pectcdly from the Democrats and in the
event OF the nomination of Governor hin
or any other notorious tool of the Tam
many ring for president, Blaine would
have polled very large Democratic aud
Mugwump vote in the Empire state
Asperities among the Republicans of New
York, by which Blaine was loser in iSSi
have been sofgened by time and party
defeat; his great political rivals.
ConklinS and Arthur, are both dead
and their factions fused with the rest of
the party. Despite the almost moral GER
tainty OF his success Mr. Blaine hiss re-
tired from the field o; competition for the
nomination. His decision is unique in
our history. The most active, brilliant
popular party figure since Clay refuses 70
be candidate. There are only two OK
plantations that suffice 70 make Mr.
Blaine's action understandable. Eithc-he
does not believe ,hat he could be elected
or he believes his hcalth not strong
enough 10 be presidea, OF the
United States with alt tha. the
position implies The nnxleues OF an
energetic administration, SUCH as Blaine
would be sure to have, would probably