The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-06-16

! by an indiscreet friend, it could scarcely
| be otherwise than that he should be the
predominant tavorite of his party for the
| high office of president; of the United
States. Such he undoubtedly was, and
the nomination was his. not for the ask
ing, for ne had no occasion to even ex.
press desire for It-but his, unless he
peremptorily declined the honor. This
| he saw fit to do in terms SO unequivocal
that no other Interpretation was posi-
bic. He addressed a formal letter in
February last to Chairman Clarkson of
the national republican committee, de-
clining the honor which was his by al
most universal consent. That his de-
clination was written in all sincerity
admits of no doubt, and it was SO ac-
copied, and his friends accordingly
dropped him from the list of possible
candidates.
The administration of President Har-
rison was of "a character which chal-
lenged popular approval, and with Mr..
Blaine voluntarily out of the field, the
logic of events was his denomination, if
he desired it. 1t is very generally be-
lieyed that he would not have antago-
nized the candidacy of his Secretary Of
State had he seen fit to express willing
ness to assume the honor, but with the
Clarkson letter before the country, his
friends very naturally sought and secured
support Tor him, and weeks prior to the
convention delegations in his favor were
selected.
Yielding to unwise counsel and per-
suasions, by indirection not at all credi-
table to his political sagacity. MIR,
Blaine announced his candidacy by re-
signing his cabinet portfolio after the
delegates-or many of them-had assem-
bled for the prelim mary work of the con-
yention. The method was not calcula-
ted to win support, and very many of his
warmest friends were pronounced in its
condemnation. He lost sympathy and
numerical strength by the very means
adopted to secure them.
Under the direction and management
of a coterie of machine politicians who
had never been anything but hostile to
him, his candidacy was taken UP and
pushed by all the methods OF political
manipulation of which these men were
masters. They cared nothing for Mr..
Blaine-never had. They had a real or
fancied grievance against President Har-
rison, and it was their purpose to defeat
him in the convention, using every means
to that end at their command. They
thought they saw in Mr.. Blaine's per-
sonal popularity the instrument they
needed for the accomplishment of their
purpose. They played him, not for him.
self, but against Mr.. Harrison, and for
the purpose of testing the strength of
their position vote was forced upon a
trivial matter which would divide the
delegates practically along the line of
their presidential preferences. This vote
indicated incIusively that the effort to
nominate Mr. Blaine was futile, but still
there was possible chance to beat Mr..
Harrison. fla stampede could be or
ganized at the last moment to third
candidate-a dark horse-the real pur-
pose OF the conspirators was as satisfac-
toriy achieved. This necessitated the
ignoninious slaughter of Mr.. Blaine, for
whom they had no further use. They
were merciless. 1t was ofno consequence
to them that by their Vaccinations an
honorable career and was brought to an
inglorious if not SYNONYMOUS termina.
tion-that this political giant lay dishon.
sred at their pigmy feet, betrayed to his
death to serve the purposes of their sci.
| fish revenge.
The friends of Mr.. Blaine, and they in.
c,ude an overwhelming majority OF the
republican party. have these men to
thank for the downfall of their idol-he
was treaeherously slain in the house Of
false friends. 1t Is monsrrous-it is pitt.
| full.