The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-10-13
GARFIELD AND BLAINE.
The SecreeaEy's Letter Accepting IL
Tender o( the state Department

The 0eCreeaRy's Letter Accepting tAS
Tender ol the state Department.
The Philadelphia Press Publishes the letter
of Secretary Blaine accepting tlbs tender Of the
State Department, made him BY the late Psssa-
dent Garfield. It 10 a. follows:
WASHINGTON, d. G., Dec. 90, 1880.
MY DEAN GARFIELD: Your generous invita-
tion 10 enter your Cabinet - Secretary OF state
has been under consideration for more than
three weeka The thought had really never
occurred to my mind until at our late con"
ference YOU presented it with sueh cogent Ar
Ruments in - favor, and with such warmth q
personal 'Tendship in aid OF your kino
Offer. s.-x that an early ans. answer ,,,.s =
enough to consider the subject in al
it's bearings, and 10 make mp my mind definite
" and concusively. ] now say to YOU, IN the
same cordial spirit in which you have invited
me, that accept the position. 1t IL no sfects-
ton for me to add that mako TINS decision
In tho public service, bnt because !
think can be useful to the country ard 70 the
party, useful TO you - the Responsible
leader Of the party and the great nca6
Of the Government. ! am lnfnene ~
somewhat, perhaps, by the shower Of letters
me in consequence OF the mere unauthorized
newspaper report that you had been pleased to
ofYer me the place. While / have received
these letters from all sections Of tho Union.
Ihaye been especially pleased and even sur
prised at the cordial and widely-extended feel
ing in my favor throughout New England,
where I had expected to encounter local 5ea!-
ousy, and, perhaps, . rival aspiration.
In our new relation shall give all that am
and Ill that can hope 10 be freely and Joyful
" 10 your gervicc. YOu need no pledge cf my
LOYALTY in heart and in act should be fslss
AZ r A,cA1~A ASsA Ak,x.v
trust you confide to me and to your OWN pcrson-
q and political fortunes in present and in
future. Your administration must be mAdC
eminently successful and strong in the conh-
dence and pride Of the people, mot at oil direct
ing its energies for re-electton, aud yet com
psns that result y the logic q ..ss.,;'. events,
of tho situation. To that most desirable con-
summation feel that, next to yourself, can
poeeibly contribute as much influence ~ any
other man. say this, not from egotism or
vain-glory, but merely - the deduction from
plain analysis Of the political forces which
have been at work In the country for tive years
past, and which have been significantly shown
| "a two great national conventions accept il
e one Of the happiost circumstances
connected with this affair that, in ally
| ing my political for unes with yours,
OF, rather, for the time merging
mine In yours, my heart goes with my bead,
| and that carry to You not only political sup
port, but personal and political friendship. |
| can but regard It % somewhat remarkable that
/ two men Of the Same age, entering Congress at
| the same time, influenced by the same nims and
ehsrishing the Same ambitions, should never foI
8 single momeot In eighteen years OF close IN
timacy have had Misunderstanding or cool
| nsss, and that our friendship has steadily
gr,wn with our growth and strengthened with
| our strength.
Il II this fact which has led me to the con-
illusion embodied In this letter, for, however
much, my dear Garfield, might admire you
9 statesman, would not enter your Cabinet
Il did not believe In you - man and love
you . frisnd. Always faithfully yours,
JANEs q. BLAINE