The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-09

reasoning led him, despite the persuasion
and entreaties of some of his friends. to his
decision. The first and most potent was
the state of his health. 1t is safe to say
ever since he returned froIn Bar Harbor to
Washington, Secretary Plane has been
convinced in his own mind that 1T would
be literal suicide for him TO undertake the
labors of q campaign which would require
the candidate 10 devote all his personal en-
ergies to the fight In ut least the two States
of New York and Indiana. not to speak of
the laborious duties of the presidential of
nee itself, If the cain palgn should be sue
cessful. In this conviction Mr. Blaine was
sustained by the members of his own
family.
The second process of reasoning which
led Dir. Blaine to withdraw was his own hon.
est and cordial recognition. which only re-
fleets honor, his friends say, upon his own
mind and heart. that the administration of
President Harrison has been of the charac-
ter which fully entitled the President to q
guided the affairs of the country with q
firm and coDservative hand through q
threatened financial crisis-at TINA when
the least faltering of the hand at the helm
might have precipitated disaster. He has
entered cordially and masterfully upon the
administration of the reciprocity clause of
the Mckinley law. IN which he was in tull
accord and sympathy with his Secretary of
State, aud, in all the details of distinct
lively business administration" he has not
won the approval of the country at large,
1t Is to be noted that each of these two
chiet reasons which led Mr.. Blaine 10 de-
eide upon writing his letter Of withdrawal
upon the chances of current or future
political events Nothing oould have hap
pened within the past few months and
nothing could happen between now and the
meeting of the Minneapolis convention
next June which would atell affect either
of these reasons. To any one who stops to
realize this point. soy intimate friends of
Secretary Blaine, the error OF questioning
the sincerity Of Mr.. Blaine's letter will be-
come apparent
WHAT MIR. BLAINE TOLD FRIEND.
In support of his statement your corre-
spondent can quote Congressman Vincent
A. Taylor, of Ohio, who has for many years
been very warm personal and political
friend of Secretary Blame. Mr.. Taylor
said to-day: "Ten weeks ago. in CONVEX
sation with Mr.. Blaine. he stated to me
that the first consideration in his mind re-
specting the use of his name Tor the presi-
Dental nomination Was his condition of
health. Mr.. Blaine said to me, as nearly
as can remember at this time: Il do not
see how it would be possible for me TO ac-
cept the nomination, for it must be ap-
parent to those who know my real condI-
tion of health that / could not withstand
resources, either during the campaign or
the occupancy of the presidential chair.
shall, however, let time drift along
little while, longer, and If ! con-
will so notify my friends in unmistakable
terms. There is another consideration
which my friends must not ov orlook; 1t is
that of President Harrison's title to re-
nomination and second term. Has he
been guilty of any misconduct which
nnnriVo nf A af
which any other Republican might not
have at this time in his administration
to him. Unless circumstances
arise which demand the use of a new name
could not permit the use of my name, even
though my health would admit of the
rlgOrs OF campaign and term at the
White House, After such q statement"
concluded Mr.. Taylor. II cannot conceive
any condition of clrcum stances which
would warrant Mr.. Blaine In withdrawing
the statement he has ma de in the letter
published this morning declining the use
of his name in the Minneapolis conven-
tion."
The question will naturally arise in the
mind OF the reader, after consideration OF
these statements.,-wh did not Mr.. Blaine
make public his Intentions weeks or
months agof As o matter of fact, Mr..
length reviewing the situation and giving
In extenso his reasons for withdrawing his
n anne as long ago as the holidays. He also
Informed the President, confidentially, of
his intention to make public such letter,
he did state it's contents in de-
tail. ust at that time. however. the Chill
ian lmbroglio confronted the administra-
tion, and it was not thought wise TO. divert
the minds of the country to politics, and
away from an international complication
which threatened to demand oil the loyal
resources of the Republic. For this reason
and for some other reasons of less
consequence, Mr.. Blaine's letter was de-
layed week after week. When the possi-
bilIty of war with Chill had been averted
Mr. Blaine again turned his attention to /
home politics. and then decided to write as
brief q letter as p0ss! BILE. In making it
public at this time he was perhaps Iniiu-
enced In some degree by visits which he
!, as recently received from two other possi-
Bile candidates for the nomination
Alger. of Michigan. and Senator Cullom of
of whom felt like pressing
his own candidacy so long as Mr.. Blame
could be considered as possibly In the field
Senator Cullom called upon Mr.. Blaine
within week upon this subject. and was
especially urgent ia stating to Mr.. Blaine
that it would be only fair to some others
who might wish to announce their legiti-
nate ambition for him to make his posi-
ton clear to the party at large. At that
time Mr: Blaine assured Senator Cullom
that before many days he would hear
drop