New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-10
TIE ETTTRE.

The letter of Mr.. Blaine, a second time refus-
ing a Presidential nomination which might nave
been his without asking, and which would have
been followed by his election, is not surprise
TO those who have known his feelings or his
relations with the President For years he has
felt that tho eycitcmentS and fatigues of Presl-
Dental campaign might cost him his life. 1t
has seemed to him wiser and more congena to
serve the country with great success ana honcr
in foreign affairs than 10 risk terminating his
usefulness and his life by permitting nomina-
ton which hosts of friends were anxious to make.
"The New-York SUM- speaks the conviction
which many shewd Democrats thought it safer
TO conceal in the words We are free to say
that in our opinion no candidate whom the De-
mocracy can name in June could have beaten
Mr.. Blaine at tho polls in November" To have
the affection and confidence Of the Nation IN
such measure is more than to be President
It is the impression of many Democrats that
this doclination Weal<cns the Republican patty
leaving no candidate whose success Is strongly
prcbab!e. But It is the gifc Of the Democratic
marty TO make mistakes. 1t could not perceive
Mr.. Blainos strength until long after the Nation
| had demonstrated it. To-day it affects belief
that President Harrison is weak, forgetting that
he defeated Mr. Cleveland at time when all
the powers OF the Administration were IN Mr..
Cleyelands hands and he was personally strong
or than any DcmocIa. is now. The last four
years have proved that Mr.. Harrison represents
! in a remarkable degree the convictions ana
wishes of the Republican party on the questions
which determine National elections such repre-
sentative strength, such confidence with regard
to great issues of National policy sometimes
counts for more than the most passionate ahec-
ton of multitudcS for their fayOrie.
The country knows what President llauison's
policy is on all vital questions. some doubt
! there might be about any other man. If Senator
Sherman who distinctly states that he will not
be a candidate, were willing TO accept, the cOun-
try would have profound confidence in him on
many issues, but would not know his opinion on
some. IL Governor Mckinley were candidate
he would represent in singular measure the
convictions of the party regarding the tariff, but
on other matters his policy might be to many
matter Of doubt So if Senator Allison, Senator
| Culom, or either of many other strong and
worthy men should be nominated, there would
be less definite certainty regarding his conylc-
tons and purposes on some OF the many queS-
tons at issue than there is regarding the policy
of President Harrison. He has been tried in ad-
ministration and found able and vigorous, and
his Administration clean and pure The people
like 10 feel assured tina. their work will be
faithfully and efficiently done.
On all phases of the money question, which
seems certain to be thrust into great prominence
by the action of the Democratic House, President
Harrison has gained the confidence of substan-
tia and conservative business men throughout
the country in a peculiar degree. To that un-
wayering confidence it is due that there is not a
ripple of excitement in the financial world to-
day, although Free-COinage bill seems likely
70 be passed. As he did not hesitate to tell
leaders of the House in 1890 that he should
veto such a BILL so his influence is now Of in
calculablo value On this question no other can
didate could more thoroughly represent the con-
servative interests Of the Nation. On the tariff
question no other has left deeper impression on
the public mind by his earnest and judici0us
words. In respect to freedom Of elections no
other holds as strong position. Mr.. Blaine,
who now Declines was the only man who could
share with President Harrison the right to repre-
sent the wishes Of the Nation regarding Reel
procity and the development Of foreign trade, or
regarding the protection of American citizens and
| their rights in foreign countries.