Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-02-17
EX.SPEAkER BLAINE.
An Authoritative Statement in Regard
to Ex.Speaker BlAine'S Religious
Faith.
'pittsburr ;iazettc.l


DR.. JAIME, King, one of the leading physi-
ians of this city and widely known in Penn
sylvania as Surgeon General of the State
during the late War, writes the subjoined
letter, which We feel sure will be road with
interest, and which will necessarily be accep-
ted % conclusive in regard to the interesting
topic to which he refers:
PIyTsBuEG, Pa, Jan. IL, 1876.
To the Editors of the Pittsburg Go-ette:
Iobservc that anonymous writer's in various
parts of the country arc furnishing what they
term ''reliuble information" in regard to ex
Speaker Blainc,s family aud early religious
education. As Mr.. Blaines name is often
mentiond in connection with public affairs,
an authentic statement on the subject may be
OF general interest l give it, therefore, over
my own name and from long and intimate
acquaintance with Mr.. Blaine and with his
family.
Twas a member Of the Faculty Of Washing
ton College when MIR. Blaine was student
there lie entered the Preparatory Depart
mcnt when only IL years Of age. ard, from
that time Until his graduation, he was con-
slant attendant upon the service o: the Pres
hyterian Church, which had, and still has,
the exclusive control Of the College. There
was no Catholic Church in the town. Atten-
dance upon church-scryice was required Of
the students, and their absence from 1t was
noted; ana it was said, and believe it to be
true, that Mr.. Blaine never missed attending
church single Sunday during his collegiate
course. It was also true that Ac never was
absent from 4 Tesitation during his whole
course; end this Eoyhood punc,uality must
have followed him into public life, for have
often seen it stated III the papers that, during
his Speakcrship Of six years, lie wss never
out OF the chair for single day. Mr. Blaine
graduated in 1917, before nc vas Is years
Old, at the head Of large aDd Wcl!-re1nerl-
bercd class.
MIR. Blainc's father came tron, a well
known and distinguished Carlisle family, OF
the old Colonial and Revolutionary stock,--a
family specially marked in oil its branches
for its strict adherence to the Presbyterian
faith. His mother-a talented, beautiful,
wile}y-bc]ovcd and truly Christian lady-was
from an equally prominent Catholic family;
! and this fact has probably given rise to al,
the unfounded gossip about Dir. Blaine hav-
ing been Catholic. No one knew better
than his mother that he was firm Protestant.
for very frequently conversed with her up
on the matter during the last twenty-five
years Of her life, for the greater pay. OF wiaic!
| was her attending physician.
Mr.. Blaine simply followed the tradition
asy faith Of his fathers family: and when, i'll
his early manhood, he settled Ia New Enc
land. he naturally attended tie Orthodox
Congregational Church, Of which lac has been
4 member for more than twenty years.
AS = zea'ous srpporte: Of Mr.: Greeiy in
1872 AID 3 Presbyterian, believing perfec;
religious freedom for all, it may well be as
snmca that do not admire or approve the
tone Of political discussion that renders these
details in regard to Mr.IBlaine necessary But.
since the question is raised, it is better thar
the actual facts be fully set forth. All papers
that have copied anonymous communications
on the subject should. in justice copy this
statement, the correctness Of which am surr
no one viii dispute.
Very respectfully. JAMES KING.