New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-14
MR.. BLAINE UNJUSTLY ATTACKED.
IN OPEN LETTER FROM A FORMER PASTOR OF THE
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

AN OPEN LETTER FROM A FORMER PASTOR OF THE
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.I
I,osToN June l3.-The Rev Or. Z. b. Webb, one
Of the most eminent Congregational cergymen in the
country has written the following open letter to The
Journal in regard to the Republican nominee for
President:
The question Of my attitude toward Mr. Blaine is so
often put to by my friends and the assaults upon
him are so often unfounded and UNJUST that am dis;
Of mine would find a cordial welcome wider
reading than In ." The Boston Journal" l am not
going into any political controversy i have no
grudges to crafty will Willingly wound wrong
any person who. from ignorance or prejudice or dis
trust, partisan zeal differs from me. Still further
do confess that probably am influenced in what say
more less by my personal friendship and affection
for Mr. Blaine. was his pastor for many years at
Augusta i baptized his children. buried his dead
Between us there grew up an undisguised confidence
end cordial free Intercourse. but we never blind
70 each others faults He Thought OF me as per-
feet and thought of him as perfect. Indeed,
think we often the most severe in our Judgment
upon those whom esteem the highest After we left
Augusta less of each other for several years
But last summer / enjoyed the pleasure OF a visit
among my former parishioners, and renewed the old
time Intimacy in Mr.. Blane's home. We walked to-
reher read portions Of his book together rode again
over the roads familiar to BOTH talked all the
past, its aims and disappontments considered the
present and guessed the future And am bound to
ssy that after the fullest and freest conversation,
formal and informal serious and chatty. my confidence
n this much abused man lie neither shaken abated
pnfounded they malicious. Criticism fair and
honorable of public conduct and public men, is not TO
be deprecated. but let any one recall what has been
laid at Mr. Blanes door within the last few weeks and
months while he has been diligently at work in his
library and ii will be that the msnGuvres, bar
gains schemes and plots which have been attributed 20
him might have been attributed TO General Gordon
In KhaFtoum with just about much truth From
personal knowledge and confidence in the absolute
tuthfulness of words spoken TO me- do not believe
Mr.. Blaine has spoken word or written letter or
spent fathng TO his present nomination. and
hhe elected trust he win be, though not for his
sake, il will be because the people want him to be PIe
dent If elected, he will call TO his aid some Of the
purest and ablest men In the country, he viii give
will compare well with the best that has preceded IT,
job tired of waiting for his ancestors 10 get out OF
breath, excaims oh, that one would hear me ana an,
thSt mine enemy had written book Well Mr..
Blaine has written booka book In which he has dis
cussed and reviewed, incidentally at least the unda
mental principles and practices, the relations and the
mission of our Government He has analysed and
estimated, criticised CONNIE lded cOnfe mned, the con
duct and he of nearly all the men who have
been prominent for the last twenty five years The
and the of the war, the immediate issues
and the remOter consequence he has judged and such
O work calls for the most extensive and accurate
knowledge well as for the coolest and soundes judg
mont Men. if they choose read the book IN which
the is mirrored I'D see whose image and super
scrptiOn this is Thaj recall the past, and reflect
upon his sentences and opinions and see whether he
holds Just balance and ailirms righteous judgment
The result think would be the utterance of less
PhariseeisIn and truth. The PhaTsee IL not much
better in politics than in religion; BESIDES Mr. Blaine
has written a eulogy Of the esteemed and lamented
President GARFIELD, with whom he intimate, and,
any choose, he may often read between the lines
and whether the coming President has proper idea
Of the who is TO stand at the head of the Nation
Certainly have the of fair and full estimate
of Mr.. Blaine. beg to suggest whether every inter
est private public, would not be better served by
abandoning attacks private character and motive
AID by seeking the truth. which is profitable to
guide us.