The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-09-20
MR.. BLAINE,s MARRIAGE.
He Explains All About It In n
Letter 10 the Hon. william walter

t'heIpbs
Hon. William Walter Phelps takes tho
responsibility Of giving to tho public the
following private letter. addressed to him
nearly two weeks ago:
AUGUSTA, Me-, Sept. @.
MY DEAR MI. PHELPS. have your favor OF
the 4th, advising mo that .the continuous in.
vention and wide circulation OF evil reports
render II advisable lin your Judgment not to
wait the slow process OF the law, but TO speak
directly to the public in my own vlndicatlon."
/ shrink instinctively from tho suggestion,
although feel sure I could strengthen tue
confidence OF all who felt friendly to me by
bringing TO view tho simple thread OF truth
which 10 concealed in the endless tissue OF
falsehood. You can imagine how inezpress-
IDLY painful It must DO to discuss ones do
nestle life In the press, although think with
you, that under the circumstances 1 could
count upon the generosity OF the public to
Justify n statement which otherwise might
seem Objectionable. can, in any event,
safely commit the facts to you for personal
communication to those friends who have
taken go delicate and 30 considorate an inter-
est in my AFFAIRS. The leisure hours OF today,
when our campaign is onded aud We wait
only for the election, gives me the oppor-
lowing essential details: ...,..
AT Georgetown, KY In the spring of 1913,
when was but 10 years OF age, first met tho
lady who for more than thirty.four years has
been my wife. Our acquaintance resulted, at
the end OF six months, in an engagement,
which, without the prospect of speedy mar.
riage, we naturally sought to keep to our
selves. Two years later, In the spring OF 1850,
when was maturing plans to leave my pro.
fession in Kentucky and establish myself else.
where, was suddenly summoned to PenusyI-
vania by the death OF my father. II being very
doubtful II could return to Kentucky, I was
threatened with an Indefinite separation from
her who possessed my entire devotion. My
one wieh was to secure her to myself by an IN
dissolubie 80 against every possible con-
tipgency In life, and on the 30!h day OF June,
1850, Just prior to my departure from Ken.
lucky, we were, In the presence OF chosen
and trusted friends, united by what know
was, In my native State OF Pennsylvania, per-
fectly legal form OF marriage.
On reaching home found that my family,
and especially my bereaved mother, strongly
discouutenanced my business plans, as In
volying too long separation from home and
kindred. complied with her wish that 1
should resume, at least for time, my occu pa
tion in Kentucky, whittier I returned In the
latter part OF August. During the ensuing
winter, induced by misgivings under now re-
neutrality-suspicious. which were in.
creased by legal consultations-I became
alarmed lest doubt might BIO thrown upon
the validity OF our marriage by reason Of nom
compliance with the law or the State where it
had occurred-for had learned that the laws
OF Kentucky made license certified by the
clerk OF the county court an Indispensable re-
quieite OF legal marriage. After mucn DELHI
Grafton, and with an anxious desire TO guard
In the most efrectuai manner against any pos
sible embarrassment resulting from our post.
tion-for which alone was responsible, we
decided that the simplest, and at the Same
time the surest, way was to repair to Pennsyl-
vania and have another marriage servico per-
formed. This was done In the presence OF
witnesses, in the city OF Pittsburgh, In the
month OF March, 1851, but was not otherwise
made public for obvious reasons. 1t was SOL
emnized only TO secure an indisputable valid.
lily, the first marriage being by my wife and
myself always held sacred.
AT the mature age OF Oh do not defend tho
wisdom or prudence OF q secret marriage, sug-
youth; but It's honor and its purity were in
violate, as believe, In the sight OF God, and
cannot BIO made to appear otherwise by the
wicked devices OF men. II Drought 70 me
companionehip which has been my chief hap
piness from boyhood's years to this year, and
has crowned me with whatever OF succsss
have attained In life My eldest child, son,
was born In his grandmother's house on the
18th day OF June, 1851, In tho city OF Augusta,
Me, and died In her arms three years later.
His ashes repose In the cemetery of his native
city, beneath a stone which recorded his name
which had stood for almost an entire genera.
tion, has been recently defaced by brutal aud
sacrilgeious hands.
AS a candidate for the Presidency knew
that / should encounter many forms OF cal.
umny and personal defamation, but confess
fend the name OF a beloved and honored wife,
who Is mother and grandmother, nor did
expect that the grave OF my little child would
BIO cruelty desecrated. Against such gross
forms OF wrong tho law gives no adequate re-
dress, and know that In the end my most OF.
fective appeal against the unspeakable out
RACES which resist must be to the noble man.
hood and the noble womauhood OF America.
Your friend, very sincerely,
JAMES g. BLAINE,