New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-07
SECRETARY Blaine And Garfield.

THE LETTER OF MIR. BLAINE ACCEPTING THE OFFICE
OF SECRETARY or STATE.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6.-7Bc Press tomorrow will
publish the following letter of Secretary Blaine ac-
cepting the tender Of the State Department made
to him by the late President Garfield:
WAsHINGroN. Dec 90. 1880.
MY DEAR GARFIELD: Your generous invitation TO
teryour Cabinet Secretary Estate has been under
sderatiOn for than three The thought had
ference you presented it with such cogent arguments IL
lis favor and with snch warmth Of personal friendship
Know that an early answer is desirable, and have
waited only long enough to consider the subject in all
clusively. say yGU, in the cordial spirit
in which you nave invited that accept the position
II 10 no ahectaton for me 30 add tat make TINS de-
cision not for the honor Of the II gives me ~
the public service but becsusc think can Oe useu 10
the country ana 70 the party uSeim 10 you as tHe re-
ponsbe leader OF the party and the great head OF the
| am Influenced somewhat perhaps. by the shower
OF letters l have received urging zoe 80 accept,
Written 10 me III consequence OF the mere uuauLOTlou
newspaper report tnst ou had been P,eased 20 9er me
the place. While have received these letters rom all
sections Of the Union Ihsve been especially pleased and
even surprised az the corral ana widely extended lel
ing 10 my favor throughout EewEnglaud, where had
expected 70 encounter local Jealousy, and perhaps rival
In our new relation I shall give all that / am and
all that nope be, freely and Oyuly TO your SER
VICE lOu nee no pledge OF y any III neart anu ~
act should he ialse 10 myself did not prove true D0th
to the great trust yOu couude To and to your own
personal ana political fortunes III the present ana 10
the Your Administra ion must be made brill
laully successful ana strong III tue
the people, at all directing its energies for reeec
ton, and yet compelling that result by the logic OF events
and by the iHpcrious necessities OF the situation.
10 That most desirable contamination feel that, next
to yourself, possibly contribute ~ nuca influence
any other say THIS not from eg0tlsln or
yanSlOry ont merely Abduction from plain analy-
Sis OF the political forces wDch have been at work IN
tue county five years past and which nave been sig
nlhcanty shown IN two great National Conventions
accept al the hdppcst circumstances connected
WIN this affair that IN aying my political fortunes Win
yOursoT rather, for tine TIME merging mine IN yours
heart with head, and that carry to you not
Only political support but personal aud de-
yOfed friendship. but regard 1t as
somewhat remarkable that two men or the
age entering Congress at the same
tne Influenced Dy AIMS and cherishing tine
same ambitions should never Tor single moment In
eighteen years OF close intimacy have had msunder-
standing or cO0ness, ana that our lrlendsip nas
steadily with growth, aud strengthened with
rtrcugtH.
IL Is tuis tact which has led me to the conclusion en-
bodied letter; for however much, my dear Car
ncu, might admire you as statesman. WCuIu hot
enter your Cabinet IL did not believe In you as man
and IOye you u friend. Always faithfully yours,
JAMES u. BLAINE