The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-09
THE POSITION OF MR.. BLAINE.
A Cabinet Omcsr Owes No Personal AL
legiance to the President.

SEATTLE, June 8, 1892
To THE EDITOR: constant and appreciative
reader of the PosT-INTELLIGENCER desires to
thank you specially for your remarks In this
mornings issue upon the position of Mr.. Blaine
in the presidential contest.
1t seems to have been assumed by the oppo-
nents OF Mr.. Blaine that his position a. q mem.
Der Of President Hsrrson's cabinet makes 1t
improper for him to aspire to the presidency;
and even men who claim to be his friends have
spoken oil tho matter in terms indicating that
the same sentiment has found Judgment in their
minds. But wherein consists the improprietyf
Cabinet officers owing cordial and earnest sup
port to the president In his administration OF
public affairs, owe him no personal allegiance.
This republic is not, or at least ought not. to be
conducted on the basis of personal loyalty to
the citizen who has been chosen by the
people to the distinguished honor OF its execu-
tive head for the time being. The most that
can be reasonably asked of a cabinet officer
with respect to his political aspirations is that
he shall be frank enough not to deceive any
other citizen who aspires to the desired honors
by uncandid statements when asked concern
ing his position or intentions; and this he owes
only as any other asprant owes it, and to the
president no more than to private citizen. So
far as have observed no person has intimated
that MI. Blaine has not been entirely candid
with President Harrison.
There il no law, written or unwritten, by
which the president has q right to claim a re-
nomination at the hands of his party, nor any
law or tradition that the people shall not choose
another man to succeed even so good presi-
dent al Mr.. Harrison. But there ia a sentiment
more or less prevalent throughout the country
and among It's most Intelligent and conserve
tive citizens that the highest interests of the
republic would be consulted by allowing no
president to be his own successor; a sentiment
which 10 certainly not likely to be softened, If
Ia of oy phos 1ad toll zoSh Nv
the unusual spectacle of the presence in the
Minneapolis convention and the lobby
of a vast army of federal officials
pressing the claims OF the president seasonably
and unseasonably. The temptation to such .
use OF the patronage and power Of the presi.
dency 10 precisely the point Of objection to the
second term idea; and the evil Is just the same,
and the force of the objection just the same,
whether the president calls this power into such
action or only permits IT to be exercised by his
appOintees, whose gratitude for favors past and
to come inspires an excusable zeal for their
chief. Mr.. Blaine, and through him the great
majority of the Republican party of the
United States, feel today the weight OF federal
power pressing heavily upon the deliberations
of the national convention and making it diff
cult, If it prove not impossible, for the repre-.
sentstives OF the people to nominate the states
man who Is most admired and loved, and who,
but for that influence, would be named by &C.
clamation and practically without dissent
These suggestions are not prompted by ami
mostly toward President Harrison or opposition
to his nomination The writer but voices the
judgment OF the country at large in saying that
Mr. Harrison has given the nation q good, and
in most respects an excellent administration,
and will be entitled, il renominated, to the
cheerful support of Republicans. But this Is
an appropriate occasion for formulating the
protect which is felt very generally against the
claim Of any president that he may demand re.
nomination as a right, and against the absurd
and un-Republican proposition that whenever
a citizen so distinguishes himself by his states
manship as to be called into the cabinet that
call deprives him of the right to give and the
people OF the right to demand his services in
the more exalted position OF president
W. L a.