The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-06

harsh to characterize his poltlcal trencnery
and his personal dishonor.
BENJAMIN HARRISON, like JAMES A. GAR
FIELD, owed his nomination to Mr.. BLAINE's
influence, and his election to Mr.. BBA1NE's
powerful services. In 1889 rs In 1881. the
accidental leader OF the party summoned
the party's acknowledged chieftain to the
new Cabinet as Secretary OF State. How
much further the parallel goes is question
belonging to unwrttcn history. There
are those who believe that the appointment
Of BLAINE by HARRISON was grudgingly
decided upon. and decided upon. not as an
act of gratitude. but rs measure OF policy
II not actually of self-prcscrvation. There
are those who affirm that during the three
years OF close official association tho attl-
tude OF tho President toward his distin-
guishcd Secretary Of State has been one OF
personal dlstrust. suspicious jealousy. and
tho continuous and sclf-conscous embar-
rassmcnt which the smaller man In the
larger place is apt to feel in the presence OF
tho larger man in the smaller place.
Whether such is the case or not. Gen. HAIR
RIsoN knows and Mr.. BLAINE knows. There
may he Others that know. but no ono know
ing has yet published tho facts in tho shape
of impartial and conclusive testimony.
Now, the friends of Gen. HARRISON are
dcnouncing Mr.. BLAINE for political treach-
cry and personal disloyalty with Just about
as much bitterness rs II they had positive
evidence that Mr.. BLAINE entered Gen.
IARRISuS's Cabinet under n compact like
that which no signed voluntarily when he
signed the letter to GARFIELD cited above.
Can this be so? When HARRISON invited
BLAINE to become Secretary OF State,
did BLAINE respond Il shall give
al that l am. all that l cnn hope
TO be- freely and ioyfully to your SER
vice.? Did he inform the President that his
heart went with his head. and that his main
effort should be to assist in making such IN
Administration rs would compel tho
denomination OF BENJAMIN HARRISON for
second term? Did no agree to
merge his political fortunes in those OF the
Indiana statesman Did he assure the
President that he brought to him not only
political support, but personal and devoted
friendship?
If Mr. BLAINE accepted Office from Gen.
HARRISON with any such pledge or under
standing as that which he registered in his
glowing letter Of Dec. 90. 1880. to JAMES A.
GARFIELD, the supporters OF the President
for second term are certainly justified in
dcnouncng tho Hon. JAMES g. BLAINE in
tho scvcrest terms as political traitor
and false friand. II Mr.. BLAINE sent
to Minneapolis n missive Of accept
ance only one-hay rs afTectionate and
self-eflacing rs that which went to Mentor.
his present conduct Is black indeed. 1t is
true that he has not announced himself
as n candidate against HARRISON. 1t is
true that he has not said word to indicate
that improved health has led him to re-
consider his declaration of intentions in
the February letter to CLARKsoN. But Mr..
BLA1NE's admirers at Minneapolis and else
where arc proceeding upon the theory that
although BLAINE may still decline to 60 be-
fore the Convention. the Convention cannot
be inhibited from going to BLAINE; and
while that is the situation it would be
Mr.. BLAINEs plain duty. under any such
pledge to HARRISON as he made to GARFIELD.
to write letter IL necessary every hour OF
the day declaring in the most emphatic
language at his command that he will not
accept II nominated. or serve II elected.
Has Gen. HARRISON any such pledge
In MIR. BLAINE's handwrting2 II he
has. we advise him to produce it,
and to produce 1t to-day. or tomorrow
at the latest. II no such document is in
existence. we advise him to stop the talk Of
his organs and shouters about any personal
disloyalty In tho present attitude Of the
statesman who on Saturday resigned the
Office Of Secretary Of State and became
private citizen.