Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-27
From the Pittsburgh Gazette, January 10.
EK-SPEAKER BLAINE.
AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT IN REGARD T.
SpRAKHR RI AIzE,S L Ell IGIoIrS L

AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT IN REGARD TO
Elk SPEAKER BLAINEs RELIGIOUS FAITH.
DR.. James King, one the leading physicians of
this city. and widely known in Pennsylvania as
Surgeon General of the State during the late war,
writes the subjoined letter, which we feel sure will
be read with interest and which will necessarily be
accepted ~ conclusive in regard to the interest
ing topic to which he refers:
PIrTsBURG. Pa, January Is, 1876.
To the Editor Of the Pihsburg Gazette:
l observe that anonymous writers in various
parts of the country are furnishing what they term
reliable information" in regard to ex-Speaker
Blaines family and early religious education. As
Mr.. Blaine's name is often mentioned in connec-
ton with public affairs, an authentic statement on
the subject may be of general interest. give it
intimate acquaintance with Mr.. Blaine and with
his family.
was member of the Faculty of Washington
College when Mr.. Blaine was student there. He
entered the Preparatory Department when only
twelve years of age, and from that time until his
graduation he was q constant attendant upon the
service'of the Presbyterian Church, which had
and still has the exclusive control of the college
There was no Catholic Church in the town. At
tendance upon church service was required of the
students, and their absence from it was noted, and
it was said, and believe it to be true, that Mr.
Blaine never missed attending church a single
Sunday during his collegiate course. 1t was also
true that he never was absent from recitation
during his whole course; and this boyhood pune
tuality must have followed him into public life,
for have often seen it stated in the papers that
during his Speakership of six years he was never
out of the chair for . single day. Mr.. Blaine
graduated in lS47, before he was eighteen years
old, in large and we'll remembered class.
Mr.. Blaines father came from well known and
distinguished Carlisle family of the old Colonial
and Revolutionary stock-a family specially
marked in all its branches for strict adherence to
the Presbyterian faith His mother, . talented
beautiful, widely beloved and truly Christian lady
was from an equally prominent Catholic family
and this fact has probably given rise to all the
founded gossip about Mr.. Blaine having been q
Catholic. No one knew better than his mother
that he was q firm Protestant for very frequent
y conversed with her upon the matter during the
last TWEEN ty-fve years of her lfs-for the greater
part of which was her attending physician.
Mr.. Blaine simply followed the traditionary
faith Of his fathers family and when, in his early
manhood. he settled in New England he naturally
attended the Orthodox Congregational Church, Of
which he has been q member for more than TWEEN
ty years.
As Jealous supporter Of Mr.. Greeley in 1872,
and Presbyterian, believing in perfect religious
freedom for ALL it may be well assumed that DO not
admire or approve the tone of political discussion
that renders these details in regard to Mr. Blaine
necessary. But since the question Is raised, it is
better that the actual facts be fully set forth All
papers that have copied anonymous communities
tons on the subject should, in justice, copy this
statement, the correctness Of which am sure no
one will dispute. Very respectfully,
JAMES KING.