The Baltimore County union., 1881-10-15
BLAINE TO GARFIELD.
Tho Cause Which Led TO Mr.. Blaine's Ac-
ceptance OF n Place In the Cabinet.

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The following letter Of Sc ire,ary blaine accept
ing the tender Of the State Department made to
him by the late President clarified, has been made
public;
MAsnIS0IoS, December Goth, 1850.
Ny DsaT Ga.Geid: Your generous invitation
90 enter your Cabinet as Secretary of Stale, has
been under confederation for more than three
weeks. The thurght had really never occurred TO
my mind until, at our late conference, you pre-
sented u with such cOgent arguments In its favor,
and with such warmth Of personal friendship In
aid Of your Kind offer. know that an early an-
swcr Is desirable, aud I have waited only long
enough 10 consider the subject In all its bearings,
and TO make up my mind definitely and conelu-
sively. i now say TO you, In the same cordial
spirit In which you have invited me, that accept
the position. IL is no aGectation for me 20 add
that make this decision not for the honor Of the
promotion II gives me In the public service, but
because think can be useful to the country and
the party-useful 10 you as the responsible leader
Of the party aud the great head of the government
! am innuenccd somewhat, perhaps, BY the shower
OF letters have received, urging me TO accept
written 10 me In consequence Of the Unauthorized
newspaper report that you had been pleased to
offer me the place. While have received these
letters from all sections Of the Union. have been
especially pleased, and surprised At the cor
dial and widely. extended feeling In my favor
throughout New England, where | had expected
aspiration. In our new relation I shall give all
that am and all that can hope 10 be freely and
joyfully to your service. You need no pledge Of
my loyalty In heart and in act. I should be false
to myself did not prove true both 10 the great
trus, you eonade 10 me and 10 your own personal
and political fortunes In the present and In the
future. Your administration must be made bril-.
isntiy saeesssfal aud ssrsng In the asnee and
pride OF the people-not at all directing It's ener-
gies for reelection, and yet compelling that re-
suit by the logic Of events and By tho imperious
necessities Of the situation. To that most desira.
bic contamination feel that, next 20 yourself I
can possibly contribute a. much influence as any
other "ne man. ] say this not from egotism or
vain glory, but merely n n deduction from plain
analysis of the political forces which have been at
work in the country for FIVE years past. and which
have been signihcantly shown In two great Nation
al conventions. ! accept Il one of the happiest
circumstance connected with this affair that In
aying 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 support. bu, personal and devoted
friendship. can but regard IL as somewhat re.
markablc that two men of the same age. entering
Congrcss at the same time, Influenced by the same
aius, and chcrishing the same ambitions, should
never. for u single moment in eighteen year. of
close intimacy. have hal a Misunderstanding or a
coontss. and that our friendship has steadily
grown with nlr growth, aud siren ngthened with our
strength. II IL this fact which has lei inc 90 the
conclusion embodied in this letter. for however
much, my dear GARFIELD, might admire you as u
statesman. would not enter your Cabinet if did
not believe in you a. man and love you as q
friend Always faithfully y"urs.
JANGs u. BLAINE,