The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-15
PICTURES OF BLAINE.
Continued From Page 81

snow. The comp artment was not heated
and the rugs and furs carried by Mr..
Blaine were not sufficient to protect him
against the cold. When he reached Milan
ne was taken down with an attack of
rheumatic govt. He was in bed at the
Hotel Cavour in that city for nearly three
weeks. He came to Florence as soon as he
was permitted to be out, and it was only
during the period of his convalescence
that he had guarded himself SO carefully
with Mr.. Blaine knows that he Is very
sensitive concerning his health, and that
nothing gives him greater annoyance than
To have exaggerated reports concerning
his physical condition placed in circula-
ton.
During the first call was the one who
was interviewed Mr.. Blaine asked ques-
was 50 alert that he would anticipate half
of each answer. He asked no questions
regarding politics. He wished to be in
formed concerning current topics, both in
London and in America. | gave him,
however, the message from New York. 1t
came from source which he could we'll
credit as being trustworthy. Mr.. Blaine
did not question the correctness of the
view. He said: "The report is undoubt-
edly correct. | believe now that | could
have the nomination if | wished it. |
was given to understand that before | left
Vienna. But my position is unchanged.
l shall not withdraw my letter OF declina-
ton" Mrs. Blaine, who sat with him
during this conversation, nodded her
head in emphatic approval OF her hus-
bands position.
The subject was taken up again during
another visit Mr. Blaine then went into
the matter deliberately. He said. elimin-
ating all personal feeling from the case,
that it would be impossible tor him as an
honorable man to change his attitude.
He had not written his Paris letter with
out due deliberation, because it had been
In his mind during the year that he could
not be candidate except on the unat-
talnable conditions named In Paris. He
had written the letter in good faith. The
public had taken him at his word. For
him to change his decision would be tanta-
mount to admitting either that be was
tickle-minded or that he was seeking to
trick or delude the public, which would
Justify the charges made by his enemies.
They had freely asserted that the letter
was only an ingenious electioneer-
ing device. This view of the mat
ter, as given in a cable dispatch
which [ sent from Florence attracted
deal of attention. The declaration made
in that conversation was so positive that
in a short time Florence became associ-
ated in the minds of the public with his
refusal to become candidate. 1t is a
common thing today to see Mr.. Blalne's
formal refusal referred to as 1.-The one in
dictated in his Florence letter." He wrote
no letter at Florence. He did not seek to
deepen the impression of that letter. He
did not ask me 10 publish anything con-
corning it. Neither did he ever see the
written report of the, conversation that I
had with him at that place until after it
had been printed in New York. / told
him at the close of my last visit that was
going to publish in effect what he had told
me. He said in reply: THAT is right.
You cannot put it too strong that l am
out of the list of candidates, and that no
earthly power can make me change the
decision expressed over my signature at
Paris"
Mr.. Blaine's most pleasant experiences
were in London. Although then in pri-
waite life, he was made the subject of an
unwearying round of social attention.
Minister Phelps, representative of Demo-
cratic administration. exhausted every
form of polteness and attention in Mr.
Blalne's behalf. He was a conspicuous
figure at the garden party at Marlborough
house given by the Prince and Princess of
Wales in honor of the queen, and was
afterward seen at all of the notable houses
in London.
Mr.. Blaine appeared to be particularly
at home with the Conservatives. He was
the guest of the prime minister and was
given abundant opportunities to visit the
house of parliament. There was an at
tempt made by some of the Irish men,
bers to drag Mr.. Blaine into the political
controversies at Westminster, but he had
the good taste to keep clear of political
disputes in foreign country and accepted
no attentions which were not purely social
in character. The Irish members when
they found that they could not use him
paid little attention to him. Mr.. I. P.
O'Connor, however, was an exception.
Mr.. Blaine's first visit to London in the
Jubilee year. He came into my office in
Trafalgar square one day to look over the
American newspapers. He was seated in
the inner office, room about the size of a
respectable ice box, when who should
walk in but prominent Democratic poll
tlclan and editor who had been lifelong
enemy OF Mr.. Blaine's. and who fancied
that he had been the one potential factor
in procuring Mr.. Blaine's defeat in the
preceding year. 1t was comicaI to witness
the editors confusion when he saw Mr..
Blame at such close quarters. Mr.. Blaine
was serene, however. and showed In his
manner no trace of his knowledge of an
enemy's presence, SO that the editor, in a
few moments, became quite cheerful and
even exuberant.
Mr.. Blaine has a great fascination of
manner in private conversation when he
cares to exercise it. In his happiest vein
IL,
politely bantered his visitor upon his part
IN 1t. His former opponent, however, pro-
iessed TO have great personal admiration
Tor Mr. Blaine. 1t was his sense of duty
as a party leader, he asserted, which had
made him use all possible means to defeat
him. Alter expressing in flowing phrases
his personal admiration for the brilliant
qualities OF Mr. Blaine. and his opinion
that he stood head and shoulders above
any one else in his party in ability, the
editor added that the day of personal cam
palgnIng was over IN America. "I on need
fear nothing from me i'll the future said
he. Il intend to conduct my journal upon
more independent lines. and to sjrip it of
all partisan character. | am now rich and
free" ne continued. with sweeping ges-
ture, and
And" interiected Mr. Blaine with
mock seriousness, although his ewes twin
Killed. merrily, lat last you have money
enough TO treat yourself to the luxury of
conscience"
do not think that this remark pleased
the editor in question, because very soon
atterward he renewed his attack on Mr.
Blaine with increased virulence
MIR. Blaine returned from Italy only
few weeks before the Chicago convention
OF leSs. After leaving Florence he went
TO Rome, ana from then on he was very
well and enjoyed the last halt Of his visit
much more than he had expected He
found q year very long time 70 remain
away. After he had been absent SIX
months he was anxious to return home
He came straight 10 London from Italy,
and there joined a coaching party organ
lied by Andrew Carnegie TO drive
from London through the north of
England and the lake region into
Scotland TO Mr.. Carnegie's place
This time Mr.. Blaine was followed by two
NJ III