The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-02-13
BLAINE RErIREs,

r James q. Blaine 10 no longer a presi
0 dental possibility. His letter to Genera
c Clarkson not only retires him from tn
campaign as a central figure, but it for
a ever retires him from any future field o
: candidates for the high Offices. As
: presidential aspirant he is dead. Hi
Clarkson letter is his political death
warrant signed by himself.
Mr.. Blaine assigns no cause for hit
withdrawal. 1t al only be conjectured
Fear Of defeat, however, cannot possibly
be the moving one No man in his party
stands higher in the estimation of its
members than James G. Blaine. No
man possesses their confidence and re-
spect to a higher degree. He is their
ideal republican and the belief has OBJ
tanned among them that he would be in
vincible as a presidential candidate.
His nomination would be made by ac-
clamation at Minneapolis il he were "A
candidate, for Mr.. Blaine is decidedly
the strongest man in the republican
party. All his political and personal
friends know this and it is quite likely
he himself is not a stranger to the fact.
No. 1t was not the fear of defeat that
caused Mr.. Blaine to write the Clarkson
letter. Nor do we believe it was prompt
ed by the relation which he bears to Mr..
Harrison as a member of his cabinet.
There are presidents to show that cab
met officers are not morally or otherwise
Theoretically sealed in their departments
when they take the oath of office or are
they bound by any written or unwrttten
obligation to stite any ambition they
may entertain for the position occupied
by their chief. 1t was not this latter
consideration which moved Mr.. Blaine
to Withdraw from the presidential con
test.
The cause is found in Mr.. Blaine's
broken health-in the fact that he and
his family and more intimate friends
L'n0T he is unable to endure the labor
and excitement Of Il long drawn. heated
political campaign. 1t is prepostcrous
to suppose that a man of MIR. Blaine's
temperament, who is in full possession
Of his mental and physical capacities,
deliberately throw away the op
portunity of his life to become president
this great nation. Mr.. Blaine has not
willingly thrown this chance away: ne
been compelled by uncomfortable
forces to yield this ambition in the pres
cncc of physical weakness. lie sacrifices
hIs political prospects that he may live.
Only this and nothing more.
Without conccding Mr.. Blaine could
be elected president over the democratic
it may bc stated that he would
be the strongest man his party could put
IN the field. Though he never uttered Il
word nor made a gesture during the
campaign his army of infatuated follow
ers like that which followed the dead yet
Gid in its memorable battle
the invading Moors, would gath
'r inspiration and enthusiasm and wage "a
shOrn Of the element Of fear of
lie result. IL any republican can lead
Ills party to victory that man is James
!. Blaine. His retirement simplifies the
presidential campaign and re- ,
moves all doubt of democratic success.
Harrison's star is now in the ascendent.
}lainc's retirement has put him in the
AN of candidates for the presidency.
'ullom is nursing a boom in Illinois and
Algcr is bracing n in Michigan, while {
)epcw is playing the dark horse in New =,
'ork. Harrison will not tread a prim- :
osc path to the nomination, and should y
'c get it the road will be an uphill and ,
ocky one to the executive chair. He is :,
easiest man in the republican party ,
Or the democrats to beat and therefore +
hey may be pardoned il they view with (
degree of satisfaction the exit IF O
AM the cntracc Of Harrison.