The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-02-09


Very sincerely yours,
JAMES q. BLAINE.
New York Press Comments.
Special to THE HERALD-Examiner Dispatch
NEW YORK, Feb. The Times says; 1t
was not without touch of grim humor that
Mr.. Blaine wrote Every sincerely as he
signed his letter declaring that he rs not
candidate for the presidency" and that his
name viii not go before the Republican ma
tional convention FOR the nomination.
AS TO the sincerely of feelings in spite of
this move on his part, there can be no ques-
ton. AS to the real nature of the feelings
themselves, there is room for conjecture.
We have never concealed our opinion that
MIR. Blaine's nomination was so improbable
as TO be very nearly impossible. And we
have, as his noisier friends made it peril
nent pointed out that Mr.. Harrison was
not the kind of a man TO leave this con-
tingency uncertain or unprovided for al a
time when he admitted MIR. Blaine TO his
cabinet. MIR. Blaine says: 81 make this
announcement in due season. Possibly.
1t depends on what he means by due sea
SON." In one sense it may argued that
he has withheld ii until it is impossible to
bring anyone but Mr.. Harrison for
ward with the hope of naming him.
In another it may be argued. and
with equal force, that he has Withheld
II so long that strong movement in oppo-
sition TO MIR. Harrison has got under head
way nomlnslly IN his interest and which
may now be directed to another name. 1t
Is not easy to decide which view is the
more likely to be correct, but we DO not
suppose that any one, not even Mr.. Harri-
son, and still less Mr.. Blaine, supposes
that the latter has given up any really de-
sired or desirable advantage out of respect
for, or confidence in, or affection toward
the former. Whatever other motives he
may have had in making this announce
ment in due season" there is not much
room for doubt that his chief and determin-
ing motive was his conviction that he
could not be elected, if he were nominated,
and next to that, in his opinion-possi ply his
hope-that Harrison could not be elected
either. Mr.. BlRine's letter does, however,
make Harrison's denomination as certain
as anything in politics. Can he command
anything like the same strength in the
convention!
THE ADVERTISER.
Mr.. Blaine is the champion decliner of
the presidency. He wrote just such q
letter TO Chairman Jones in the spring of
1855, and thus put aside when it was within
easy grasp the greatest honor his party
could confer on him. He was sincere then,
and he is, no doubt, sincere now Mr..
Harrison's friends have been awaiting this
letter with anxious solicitude. they have
been lsboring under the impression that il
would leave the President a free field for
denomination. But will it? Does II not
rather invite other candidates 20 contest
for the houorl Mckinley, Foster, Ores
ham, Reed, Rusk, Sherman, Alger land
others too tedious to mention" are all more
or less promising aspirants for the presi-
dency, aud this would seem to be their OPP
portunity. With Blaine out of the way
each of these gentlemen has at least fight
ing chance.
THE TRIBUNE.
MIR. Blaine tells the chairman of the Re
publican national convention and through
him the party and the country that he is
not candidate for President and that his
name will not go before the Minneapolis
convention. This announcement viii
cause sorrow and disappointment to thous
ands of Republicans, ana there is no reas or
for descending that fact. No other living
American has inspired such ardent devo
ton and upon no other have SO many
Americans longed to confer the great
Sbl ulSIluCblOn WlIllln LuelT power. line
certainty that the foremost citizen of the
country will not be the next President OF
the United States, and the presumption
that he will never occupy that great Office
cannot fail to affilct multitude of his fel
low people with a sense of personal grief
Having reached this determination Mr.
Blaine shows his sagacity and loyalty IL
the time and manner Of its announcement
His letter to Clarkson is explicit and con
a 4
the uncertainty which has been felt by thu
leaders and masses Of the Republican party
Had the possibility tina be might be vii
ling to accept the nomination remained
while also the belief was common that hi
health or his declinRtion would interfere
the party could not have concentrated il
energies for an impending conflict. Blu
this decisive announcement at the RICH
moment and with the right impulse, OPEN
the way for harmonious and fruitful
activity. The Withdrawal of Mr.. Balm
may not settle beyond controversy the re
suit of the Republican convention, but I'm
doubtedly ii does in q large measure cles
the field for General Harrison. He ha
given the country an admirable ad
ministration, and he is amply en-
titled 10 the great advantage o
the position which he thus secures
In accepting as final Mr.. Blaine's determi
J ~ pc
the party, and we believe the whole coun
try, will still hope TO have the benefit 70
many years to come of his invaluable ser
vices in public station. His knowledge, So
gacity and experience, his comp ehensIv
understanding of the American people an
American institutions, and his fervent pa
triotism. are national possessions whicl
must not be diverted from the service O
| the nation.
THE HERALD
Mr.. James G. Blaine has declared owe
his own signature that he will not be
candidate for the presidency at the ap
preaching battle OF the parties. This elin
mates from the political campaign a yer
important element. So far as the Reput
hcans are concerned, 1t may be sai
without fear of contradiction ths
they have lost their strongest man b
all odds. Mr.. Blaine was thei
available leader. Even in q subordinat
position, as secretary of state, he hs
thrown his chief into the shade and bacl
ground. Harrison claims the respect Of hi
party; the name of Blaine rouses its al
thusissm. Harrison is u fine specimen {
statesman like msdiocrity; Blaine hs