The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-10-13
BLAINE AND GARFIELD.
LETTER OF THE FORMER ACCEPTING A CABINET
p0s1TroN


LETTER OF THE FORMER ACCEPTING A CABINET
POSITION.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 6.-The Press to-mor-
row will publish the letter of Secretary Blaine
accepting the tender of the state department
made him by the late President Garfield, dated
Washington, D. c., December 20, 1880
My Dear Garfield: Your generous invitation to
under consideration for more than three weeks.
The thought had really never occurred to my mind
until at our late conference you presented it with
warmth Of personal friendship in aid Of your kind
Offer know that an early answer isdesirable, and
have waited only long enough to consider the sub
jact in all its bearings, and to make up my mind de-
same cordial spirit in which you have invited me-
that accept the position. It is no eEecaton for
me to add nd that make this decision, not for the
'' Be- Useful 0' to 's'ss' eSs coausfy t0k and ao
The party; useful to you as tie responsible
ment am influenced somewhat, perhaps, by the
shower OF letters have received urging mo to ac-
ceept, written me in consequence Of mere unau-
thorlzed newspaper report that you had been
pleased to offer mo the place. While have re-
ccived these letters from all sections Of the Union
have been especially pleased and surprised at the
throughout Now England, where had expected to
encounter local jealousy and perhaps rival aspira-
tlor In our new relation shall give all that aln
and all that can hope to be freely and joyfully to
you. service.
You need no pledge of my loyalty in heart and
and act should be false to myself did not prove
true. both to the great trust you conde to Inc and
present and future. Your administration must bt
made eminently successful and strong in the conf
dcnce and pri 10 of the people, not at all directing
its. energies for reelection and yet com
pel'ing that result by tho logic of
events and by the imperious ncces-
stiles OF the situation. To that most desir-
able consummation feel that, next to yourself.
can possibly contribute much influence as any
other one man. l say this not from egotism or
vain glory, but merely as deduction from plain
analysis of the political forces which have been at
past, which have been sicniacautiy
shown in two great national conventions accept
it as one of the llappiest circumstances connected
with this affair, that ayng my political fortunes
with yours. or rather for time merging mine in
yours. my heart goes with my head: and that con-
vey to you not only political support but personal
and devoted friendship. can but regard it as
somewhat remarkable that two men of
time, influenced by the same aims and cherishing
the same ambitions, should never for single
moment in eighteen years Of close intimacy have
had misunderstanding or GOODNESS, and that our
friendship has steadily grown with our growth and
strengthened with our strength It is this fact that
has led mo to the conclusion embodied in this lot
ter: for, however much, my dear Garfield, might
admire you as Q statesman, would not enter your
cabinet If did not believe in you as man and
loye you as friend. Always faithfully yours,
iSQnedI JAS. G. BLAINE