The vista that now opens to us is wider and more glorious
than before. Gratification and amazement struggle for supremacy
as we contemplate the population, wealth, and moral strength of
our country."
Though the course of events has yet to be fully explained,
President Harrison's dull pomposity may have been the underlying
reason of the aversion which Blaine now began to manifest.
Although on Harrison's side and against Blaine, Senator Cullom
remarks in his memoirs that Harrison had "a very cold, distant
temperament," and that "he was probably the most unsatisfactory
President we ever had in the White House to those who must
necessarily come into personal contact with him." Cullom is of
the opinion that "jealousy was probably at the bottom of their
disaffection," but it appears to be certain that at this time
Blaine had renounced all ambition to be President and
energetically discouraged any movement in favor of his candidacy.
On February 6, 1892, he wrote to the chairman of the Republican
National Committee that he was not a candidate and that his name
would not go before the convention. President Harrison went ahead
with his arrangements for renomination, with no sign of
opposition from Blaine. Then suddenly, on the eve of the
convention, something happened--exactly what has yet to be
discovered--which caused Blaine to resign the office of Secretary
of State. It soon became known that Blaine's name would be
presented, although he had not announced himself as a candidate.
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