The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-08
What tic Papers saw.

what the Papers Say.
BOSTON JOURNAL:-Mr. Blaine's letter
to Chairmen Clarkson of the Republican
National Committee is the first fully au-
thorized announcement which has come
from him OF his attitude toward the Pres
idency. He declares that he is not can
didate, and that his name will not go be-
fore the National Convention for the NOM
1nation. Ever since he entered President
Harrison's Cabinet, Mr.. Blaine has occu-
pied one of The most delicate and trying
positions which public man was ever
called upon SO fill. A host OF hostile crit
les has been alert TO attribute sinister mo-
tives TO everything he has done, and al.
most to every word he has uttered. The
whole efforts of violent and unscrupu-
lous partisan press have been devoted To
accusing Mr.. Blaine of intrigue and dis
loyalty, and to oonjuring up a breach be-
the Secretary of State and the Executive.
Yet with such unvarying tact, considera-
tion and dignity has Mr.. Blaine borne
himself that after nearly three years
passed in the bright merciless light which
beats upon public men at Washington he
is to-day by common consent tho object
OF far greater popular favor and popular
confidence than ever.
1t is not alone the magnificent diplo-
matte triumphs which have been achieved
during these three years which have given
Mr.. Blaine his almost unexampled hold
upon the affections of his countrymen. 1t
is also the fact which has been so appar-
ent that he has put away personal ambi-
tion as far as a man can, and has worked
with all his splendid abilities and match
less zeal for the welfare OF the nation.
There has been no suggestion from him
that the brilliant record of the State De-
partment was mere matter OF personal
glory. He hes regarded ii rather as one
OF the several chapters in the history OF
10 M ipso ofrok inr VIZ n oh ha
formed part. The proper and graceful
deferece TO President Harrison which has
characterized him from the first is con-
tinued In the courteous letter in which
Mr.. Blaine let's the whole country know
that he does not seek the nomination. 1t
is the letter OF an honorable man, kesnly
sensitive to the proprieties. 1t has been
drawn out by the Jealous efforts of many
OF Mr.. Blaine's warm friends In his be-
half. II fully meets the requirements of
the situation. The country will have
none the poorer opinion of Mr.. Blaine for
his prompt acknowledgement of the OBJ
legations of political etiquette-and as to
President Harrison, we have no doubt
that between him and his Secretary there
is mutual respect and an entirely har-
monious understanding.
The Herald says Mr.. Blaine has writ
ten q letter which is generally regarded
presidential contest for good and all. IL
is addressed to Hon. J. S. Clarkson, as
chairman RI the Republican national
committee, and il states, in so many
words, that Mr.. Blaine is not a candidate
for the presidency, and that his name will
not go before the Republican national
convention for a nomination.
III any other person of Mr.. Blaine's po-
litical position had written such letter,
there would be no doubt OF his intention
to set the presidential nomination OF his
party aside, even though it were offered
TO him by the practically unanimous
voice of the convention. But Mr.. Blaine
has not said that he would do this. Yet
he must know that many of his friends
Will refure to regard less comprehensive
and positive declaration as definitely clos
ing the door against his candidacy. In
view OF this omission, 1t cannot yet be
said that the Maine statesman has abso-
lutely put himself out of reach, though
he has certainly made IL plain that moth
ing but a nomination coming unsourht
and unopposed would receive any consid-
Grafton at his hands.
The Globe says: The first feeling among
men OF both parties, as they peruse Mr..
Blaine's brief letter OF declination. ad-
dressed to the Republican national com
mittee, will be one OF astonishment. The
unexpected has happened, and il is per-
haps too early yet to say whether the
presidential situation on the Republican
side has been simplifisd OF complicated.
AS to the reasons which have moved Mr..
Blaine TO this step the country is left to
conjecture. Whether the state of his
health, his sense of what is due TO Mr..
Harrison, or his disinclination to incur
the risk OF n second defeat in a contest
whose conditions he perceives to
be unfavorable to the success of any Re-
publican candidate, have decided him not
to allow his name TO go before the nation
al convention OF his party, we are left TO
surmise.
At first sight Il would seem to make
the denomination OF Mr.. Harrison ex-
fluence viii certainly be to strengthen the
Harrisonian wing OF the party, and il il
turns out that Mr. Blaine himself desires
the denomination OF his chief, the Repub-
lican ticket OF 1892 will without doubt be
the same as in 1883.
From the Democratic standpoint the
elimination of Mr.. Blaine from the com
ing national contest in an advent OF good
omen. IL deprives the Republican party
OF the only opportunity il had to nomf-
nate a man for whom there is a genuine
and intense enthusiasm among its rank
and file. The party may be united, doubt
less, upon Mr.. Harrison, but il nigh
have been fired with ardent zeal an
united to supreme effort for Mr.. Blain
The New York Herald says: $50 far
the Republicans are concerned, IL may
said, without fear OF contradiction, tn
they have lost their strongest man. y
all odds Mr.. Blaine was their most avsils
bic leader. "A TO the Democrats the
e. 90 0-~"nont he's retired from o.