Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-05-27
GEN. CLARKSON TALKS.
He Thinks Z, 900, 900 Republicans


National Republican Committee, was in
Washington on Tuesday, and vas inter
viewed by reporter of the Washington
Post in regard to the Presidential outlook.
The entire interview was too lengthy for
our columns. but we give what MIR. Clark
son had to say about on whose name is
in almost every ones mouth at this time,
when he asked
"What about Blaine9 ~
At this question, which came as a sud
den interruption to the hitherto uninter
rupted flow of talk, Mr.. Clarkson dropped
the envelope which he had been revolving
in his hands and swung himself around IN
bis chair.
"Blaine?" be repeated. ooh, he is all
right. Ask any one of the seven million
Republicans in the land and you will find
that he is all right"
"Has he any right in honor to be can
didate?"
II might answer" replied Mr.. Clarkson,
deliberately, "by asking when in eighteen
years he has, by party or public consent,
ceased to be candidate, or whether in
the last ten years he has gained, IN fact, a
reserved right, as against the party inter
ests, to withdraw or refuse to be candl-
date. Besides, in this supreme time it is
not question of any man hunting the
Presidency. 1t is the Presidency hunting
the man. But, in answering your direct
question squarely, l should say that in my
opinion the sovereign command of the
seven million Republicans of this country,
expressed through their national conven-
ton, will be obeyed, and ought to be
obeyed, by any member of tie party"
"What about his letter of last February,
addressed to youW
'By the way" said Mr.. ClalksoD, "that
letter has never been answered. l felt
neither qualified nor authorized to do it.
have thought perhaps that it ought to
be referred to the national cony entiOn. l
know of no other way to conclude that
correspondence"
"What is it that makes Blame so strong
that keeps his popularity eliyesolOng ~
"Don't ask me. Go look in the human
heart for your answer Blaine is in the
American rather than in the Republican
heart to-day. National admiration and
pride in him, increasing constantly for
twenty years, has given him far more than
political position in the estimation of his
countrymen. Every American boy at
school is proud OF Blaine. Every Ameri-
can at home or abroad is proud OF him.
If he should die tomorrow every paper in
the land, irrespective of party, would say
1t was pity he had never been President.
Thus he is far stronger than his party. In
the South he is popular, the people there
having the American admiration for him,
and besides they believe that in the fer
tilty and greatness of his craftsmanship
he could devise a new settlement of the
Southern question, just alike to both sides,
just as with reciprocity be renewed the
failing strength of protection"
as the demand for him due entirely to
liking for OF faith in him oyer all other
leaders ~
"Not entirely. Indeed, a very large
moiety of his strength in the party is due
to other things. Many Republicans who
do not like him personally are for his
nomination because they believe be could
carry this or that State, district, county,
or city, where every other Republican
would fail. Such men, and many other
practical politicians besides, are for him
because they believe he would thus re-
store the party to power in districts and
States now doubtful or hopeless in other
words, that he would renew the party's
power in hundreds of places, local as well
as national. There are many Republicans
who believe that with Blaine in the field
enough doubtful districts can be made
surely Republican to carry the next
House."
"Do you think BlIine has a personal
ambition for the Presidency 2"
81 do not. think this ambition was
most acute with him in 1876, and was less
in 1880. know that in 1884 he neither
expected nor desired the nomination, for
received letters from him then, which
have yet, in which he urged the selection
of Gen. Sherman. think his ambition
to bs President has largely passed away
from him."
'Do you think be has the strength for
the contest :"
81 do. believe he has strength enough
for the campaign and for the strongest ad-
ministration this country has seen. |
think that the conflict of the campaign
would be tonic to him, and the work of
the Presidency would be renewed life TO
him."
~ 10 dooCAOC budO Ou hdNO Il PCloVhoi
bias as between Blaine and HARRISON y
81 am by personal preference neither a
Blaine nor Harrison man. If could
have my personal choice would select
another man than either for President,
but it is not question now of personal
feeling with the Republicans, but of party
judgment and party duty. think the
great mass of Republicans everywhere
this year are ready TO give up personal
friendships for party interests. In 1858
| believed then and l think yet-that |
Harrison was better and surer candidate !
for that year than Blaine. The animosities
Of 1854 were still so fresh as to weaken
and injure Blaine, while Harrison was
able to command every vote which was
for Republican principles"