The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-10-14
GARFIELD AND BLAINE.
The SeCrctary's letter Accepting ths
Tender of the State Departments,

The Secrctary's Letter Accepting the
Tender of the State Departments
The Philadelphia Press publishes the letter
of Secretary Blaine accepting the tender Of the
State Department, made him by the late Presi-
dent Garfield. 1t is as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 90, 1880.
MY DEAR GARFIELD: Your generous invita-
ton to enter your Cabinet as Secretary of State
has been under consideration for more than
three weeks. The thought had really never
occurred to my mind until at otlr late con-
ference you presented it with such cogent ar
guments in rs favor, and with such warmth of
personal friendship in aid of your kind
offer. l Ah3W that an early answer is
desirable, and / have waited only long
enough to consider the subject in all
its bearings and to make up my mind definite
ly and conolusively l now say to you, in the
same cordial spirit in which you have invited
me, that accept the position. 1t is no affecta-
ton Tor me to add that ] make this decision
not for the honor of the promotion it gives me
in the public service, but because |
think can be useful to the country and to the
party, useful to you as the responsible
leader of the party and the great head
of the Government I am influenced
somewhat, perhaps, by the shower Of letters
have received urging me to accept, written
me in consequence of the mere unauthorized
newspaper report that you had been pleased to
offer me the place. While I have received
these letters from all sections of the Union,
Ihaye been especially pleased and even sur
prised at the cordial and wldely-extended feei-
ing in my favor throughout New England,
where had expected to encounter local jeal-
ousy, and, perhaps a rival aspiration.
In our new relation I shall give all that am
and all that can hope to be freely and joyful
ly to your service. You need no pledge Of my
loyalty in heart and in act 1 should be false
to myself did not prove true both to the great
trust you confide to me and to your own person
al and political fortunes in present and in
future. Your administration must be made
eninently successful and strong in the conf
denee and pride of the people, not at all direct
ing its energies for reelection, and yet COM
pelling that result by the logic of events,
and by the imperious necessities
of the situation. To that most desirable con-
summation feel that, next to yourself, can
possibly contribute as much influence as any
other man. say this, not from egotism or
vain-glory, but merely as the deduction from
plain analysis of the political forces which
have been at work in the country for five years
past, and which have been significantly shown
in two great national conventions. accept it
as one of the happiest circumstances
connected with this affair that in ally
ing my political fortunes with yours,
or, rather, for the time merging
mine in yours, my heart goes with my head,
and that carry to you not only political sup.
port but personal and political friendship. l
can but regard it as somewhat remarkable that
two men of the same age, entering Congress at
the same time, influenced by the same aims and
cherishing the same ambitions, should never for
single moment in eighteen years of close in
timaey have had a misunderstanding or cool
ness, and that our friendship has steadily
grown with our growth and strengthened with
our strength.
1t is this fact which has led me to the con
clusion embodied in this letter, for, however
much my dear Garfield, might admire you
as statesman, would not enter your Cabinet
if did not believe in you as man and love
you as friend. Always faithfully yours,
A JAMES, a RTATNE