Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-02-18
The Future.

The letter of Mr.. Blaine, q second time
refusing 8 Presidential nomination which
might have been his without asking, aud
which would have been followed by his
election. is not a surprise to those " no
have known his feelings or his relations
with the President For years he has felt
that the excitements and fatigues of a
Presidential campaign might cost him his
life. IL has seemed to him wiser and
more congenial to serve the country with
great success and honor in foreign affairs
than to risk terminating his usefulness
and his life by permitting a nomination
which hosts Of friends were anxious TO
make. The Neic York Sun speaks the
conviction which many shrewd Democrats
thought it safer 10 conceal in the word. .
We are free to say that in our opinion
no candidate whom the Democracy can
name in June could have beaten Mr.. Blame
at the polls in November" To have the
affection and confidence of the Nation in
such measure is more than to be Presi-
dent.
1t is the impression Of many Democrats
that this declinatiou weskens the Repub-
llcan party, leaving no candidate whose
success Is strongly probable. But IL Is
the gift Of the Democratic party TO make
mistakes. 1t could not perceive Mr.
Blaine's strength until long after the Ma
ton had demonstrated it. To-day IL af-
fects belief that President Harrison is
weak, forgetting that he defeated Mr.
Cleveland at a time When all The powers
OF the Administration were in Mr.. Cieve-
lands hands aud he was personally strong.
er than any Democrat is now. The last
four years have proved that Mr. Harrison
represents in remarkable degree the con-
ylctions and wishes of the Republican par.
ty on the questions which determine Ma
tional elections. Such representative
strength, such confidence with regard to
great issues of National policy. sometimes
counts for more than the most passionate
affection Of multitudes for their favor
lite.
The country knows what President Har-
rlsons policy Is on all vital questions
Some doubt there might be about any other
man, II Senator Sherman. who distinct
ly states that he will not be candidate.
were willing to accept the country would
have profound confidence in him on many
issues, but would not know his opinion on
some. If Governor Mckinley were 9 can
didste he would represent IN a singular
measure the convictions of the party re-
aarding the tariff, but on other matters
his policy might be to many matter of
doubt. SO If Senator Allison. Senator
Cullom, or either of many other strong
ana worthy men should be nominated
there would be less definite certainty re-
gardng his convictions aud purposes on
some OF the many questions at issue than
there is regarding the policy of President
Harrison. He has been tried ia admins
tration and found able and vigorous, and
his Administration clean and pure. The
people like to feel assured that their work
will be faithfully and efficiently done
On all phases of the money question,
which seems certain to be thrust into
great prominence by the action of the
Democratic House, President Harrison has
gained the confidence of substantial and
conservative business men throughout the
country in peculiar degree To that I'M
wavering confidence 1t is due that there is
not ripple of excitement in the financial
world to-day, although a Free Coinage
bill seems likely to be passed. As he did
not hesitate to tell leaders of the House
in 1890 that he should veto such a bill, so
his influence is now Of incalculable value.
On this question no other candidate could
more thoroughly represent the conserva-
tive intereste of the Nation. On the tariff
question no other has left deeper impress
sion on the public mind by his earnest aud
judicious words. 10 respect to freedom
of elections no other holds as strong DO
siton. Mr. Blaine. who now declines
was the only man who could share with
President Harrison the right to represent
the wishes of the Nation regarding Reel
procity and the development of foreign
trade, or regarding the protection of
American citizens and their rights In for
eign countries.-N Y. Tribune.