Show New Yort Pre s Comments I Special to TiE HERALD Examiner Dispatch NEW YORK Feb 1The Times says It was not without a touch of grim humor that Mr Blaine wrote very sincerely as he signed his letter declaring that ho is not a candidate for the presidency and that his name will not go before the Republican national na-tional convention for the nomination I conenton nominaton As to the sincerety of feelings in spite of this move on his part there can be no question ques-tion As to the real nature of tho feelings themselves there is room for conjecture Wo have never concealed our opinion that Mr Blames nomination was so improbable as to be very nearly impossible And we II have as bis noisier friends made it pert nent pointed out that Mr Harrison was j I not the kind of a man to leave this contingency j j I con-tingency uncertain or unprovided for at a j 1 I time when be admitted Mr Blaine to his I I cabinet Mr Blaine says I make this 1 announcement in dun toason Possibly It depends on what be means by due season sea-son In one sense it may to argued that he has withheld it until it is impossible to bring anyone but Mr Harrison forward for-ward with the hope of naming him In another It may be argued and with equal force that ho has withheld it so long that a strong movement in opposition oppo-sition to Mr Harrison has got under headway head-way nominally in his interest and which may now be directed to another name I is not easy to decide wtiich view is the more likely to be correct but we do not suppose that any one not oven Mr Harrison son and still less Mr Blaine supposes that the latter has given up any really desired de-sired or desirable advantage out of respect for or confidence in or affection toward i the former Whatever other motives ho may have bad in making this announcement announce-ment in due season there is not much room for doubt that his chief and determining determin-ing mot was his conviction that he could not be elected if he were nominated and nextto that in his opinion possibly his hope that Harrison could not be elected cither Mr Blainss letter does however make Harrisons renominatlon as certain as anything in politics Can he command convention anything like the same strength in the THE ADVERTISER Mr Blaino is the champion decliner of tho presidency He wrote just such a letter to Chairman Jones in the spring of lSSS and thus put aside when it was within i easy grasp the greatest honor his party could confer on him He was sincere then and he is no doubt sincere now Mr Harrisons friends have been awaiting this letter with anxious solicitude hey have been laboring under the Impression that it would leave the President a free fluid for renomination But will It Does it not rattier invite other candidates to contest for tbo honor McKinley Foster Ores ham Reed Husk Sherman Alter and others too tedious mention I are all more or less promising aspirants for the presidency presi-dency and this wonld seem to be their opportunity op-portunity With Blaine out of the way each log chance of these gentlemen has at leasta light THE TRIBUNE Mr Blaine tells the chairman of the Republican Re-publican national contention and through him the party and the country that he is not a candidate for President and that his name will not go before the Minneapolis convention This announcement will cause sorrow and disappointment to thousand thous-and of Republicans and there is no reason for dissembling that fact No other living American has inspired such ardent devotion devo-tion and upon nQ other have so many Americans longed to confer the greatest great-est distinction within their power The certainty that the foremost citizen of the country will not be the next President of tbe United States and tbe presumption that he will never occupy that great uffico cannot fail to afflict a multitude of his follow fol-low people with a sense of personal grief Having reached this determination Mr Blaine shows his sagacity and loyalty in the time and manner of its announcement I His letter to Clarkson is explicit and conclusive con-clusive Ho means to end now and finally tbe uncertainty which has been felt by the leaders and masses of the Republican party Had the possibility thai bo might be willing wil-ling to accept the nomination remained while also the belief was common that his health or his declination would interfere the party could not have concentrated its energies for an impending conflict But I this decisive announcement at the right moment and with the right impulse opens Ithe j way for harmonious and fruitful I activity The withdaawal of Mr Blaine I may not settle beyond controversy the re suit of the Republican convention but undoubtedly un-doubtedly it aoes in a largo measure clear I I the field for General Harrison Ho cear given the country an admirable administration 1 ad-ministration and ho is amply entitled j en-titled to the great advantage of i tbe position which he thus secures i In accepting as final Mr Blames determination i determi-nation not to be a presidential candidate the party and we believe the whole country I coun-try will still hope to have the benefit for many years to come of his invaluable services ser-vices in public station His knowledge sagacity sa-gacity and experience his comp obensivo understanding of the American people and American institutions and his fervent patriotism I pa-triotism are national possessions which must not be diverted from the service of the nation naton I THE HERALD I Mr James G Blaine has declared over his own signature that he will not ben candidate for the presidency at the approaching ap-proaching battle of the parties This eliminates I elim-inates from the political campaign a very important element So far as the Republicans Repub-licans are concerned it may be said without fear of contradiction that they have lost their strongest man by all odds Mr Blaine was their available leader Even in a subordinate position as secretary of state he has thrown his chief into tbe shade and background I back-ground Harrison claims the respect of bis party the name of Blaine rouses its enthusiasm I en-thusiasm Harrison is I fine specimen of statesman like mediocrity Blaine has I genius and statesmanship with many of the faults that genius implies As to the Democrats their shrewdest opponent has retired from the field They have a large number of men who can certainly wn against Harrison and who ought to be able to win against Blaine I they handle their forces with skill and enter the contest con-test with a strong western man It will be their own fault If they fall to carry the day for the great bulk of tho American people with them of all sections of the country are THE PRESS Mr Blames letter is as explicit as i is brief I is more positive even than hIs famous Florence letter No misunderstanding misunder-standing of Mr Blames terms is possible Nothing but Mr Blaines own action could have taken him out of the line of presidential presiden-tial nomination His withdrawal will inspire In-spire renewed recognition of the strength of our sterling and sagacious I sa-gacious President whoso administration has been conspicuously successful m every I problem of statesmanship and who stands unflinchingly for protection sound cur rency and the maintenance of American honor always and everywhere THE IlECOKDCIl I Mr Blaine docs not state his reasons for his determination He categorically announces an-nounces to General Clarkson chairman of the Republican national committee that his reserve was to be respectea by those who were eager to march behind him to victory His motives are chiefly personal but they are patriotic withal and his name and fame will be a tower of strength to tbe party of the people in the struggle for a sound industrial and financial policy to which ho so solicitiously alludes Even In declining to compete for its highest honors Mr Blame has given to his party a glorious glori-ous and invincible battle cry THE WOULD editorially says The real leader declines to lead For the second time in his career James G Bale puts aside a presidential nomination that would without qUI sUon be his i ho could accept it lhis is a penalty for uncertain health such as few men have been called upon to pay Mr Blaine has a laudable ambition to be President He has already knowlidge experience ex-perience and fitness for tbo office He is the strongest man and would be the strongest strong-est candidate of bis party Crowning his other service to his country he has recently won a conspicuous victory for peace with honor against the brutal bluster of intimidation intimi-dation jingoism and the coldblooded scheming of a selfish politician The prize of nomination at least hopeful in its possibilities possi-bilities is within his grasp but he may not lake I I is the irony of fate Without Blame what an opentoal race witb the chances in favor of the perpetually reappearing reap-pearing of the dark horse |