The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-10-02
$1,000
MIR. BLAIAE'S MARRIAGE.


raags IA LStsss Is william walter
Phelps.
NEW YORK, Sept 19-Hon. William Walter
Phelps gives to the public the following pri-
vate letter addressed to him nearly two, weeks
ago: i y :
Augusta, Sept 6, sS4-My Dear Mr.
Phelps have your favor of the 4th, advis-.
ing me that 1.-THE continuous invention and
visable lin your judgment not to wait the
slow process of the law, but to speak directly
t2 the public in my own vindication." In
tkis opinion many others, OF, whose judg
ment I rely, concur. I shrink instinctively
could strengthen the confidence of all who
feel friendly to mo by bringing to view the
simple thread Of truth which is concealed in
this endless tissue Of falsehpd. You can
Imagine how inexpressibly painful it must
although I think with you that Under the
circumstances could count Upon the gener-
osl,y of the public to Justify statement
which. might otherwise seem Objectionable
I can In any event safely commit the facts to
yon for personal communication to those
friends who lave takon SO ttolicate and 80
\ ,fohsiderate an interest in my affairs: The
1eishre hours Of to-day, when oitr caidpaisl
is ended, aud We wait only fpr the election
gives INC the opportunity for this prompt re-, re-
ply anu lot tlo lOtlOWlIlb esseAtIdI uoHsuS.
AT Georgetown, KY, in the spring of 1913,
when was but eighteen years of age, first
met thelady who for more than thirty four years
has been my wife. Our acquaintance result
I'd, at the end of six months, in an en-
sageincnt, which, wi thout prospect OF speedy
marriage, we naturally
SOUGHT TO KEEP TO OURSELVES
{ Two years later, in the spring Of 1850, when
vas maturing plans to loatS tg profession
IN Kentucky and establish myself elsewhere,
by the death Of my father. It being very
doubtful if could return to Kentucky, was
threatened with an indefinite separation from
her who possessed my entire dovo-
tion. My one wish was to secure
her to myself BY an indissoluble tic
u,Stho 9th of June, 1850, just prior to my de-
parturc from Kentucky, we were, in the pres.
ence of trusted friends, united by what knew
was in my state of Pennsylvania perfect aud
home found my family, and especially my
bereavctl mother, strongly misunderstanding
business plans involving too tong separa-
ton from home and kindred. complied with
her wish that should resume at least for
time, my occupation in Kentucky, whittier I
returned in the latter part Of August During
the ensuing winter, induced by misgivings
which were incrcas cd by legal consultations, l
became alarmed least doubt might bo thrown
upon the validity of our marriage, by rea-
son OF nOn-Cdu pllaHCe WIFI inc law Ol
the state where it had occurred for
! had learned that tho laws of Kentucky made
a license, certtic by the clerk of the county
court, an indispensable requisite of legal
marriage After much deliberation and with
an ardent desire TO guard in the most effectual
manner against any possible embarrassment
resulting from our position, for which alone
was responsible, We decided that the simplest
and at the same time surcst way, was to repair
to Pennsylvania and have another marriage
service performed. This was done in the pres
ence of witnesses, in the city of PittsburS, in
tho month of March, 1851, but was not othor
wise made public for obvious reasons. 1t was
solemniZed only to procure an indisputable
validity, the first marriage being by my wife
and myself always held sacred At the ma
ture age of fifty -four do not defend the wis
dom or prudence of a secret marriage, sug
gested by the
ARDOR AND INDIFFERENCE OF YOUTH
but its honor and its purity were inviolate as
I believe in the sight of God, and cannot be
made to appear otherwise by the wicked devices
OF men. 1t brought to me conlpanionship
which has been my chief happiness from boy
hoods years to this honr, and has crowned me
with whatever success have attained in life.
My eldest child, son, was born in his grand
mothers house on the 18th day of June, 1851, in
the city of Augusta, Me-, and died In her arms
three years later. His ashesreposc in the ceme-
tory of his native city, beneath a stone which
recorded his name and the limits of his innocent
life. That stone which had stood for almost an
entire generation, has been recently defaced
by brutal and sacrellgiou3 hands. As
candidate for tho presidency l knew that |
should encounter many forms of calumny
and personal defamation, but confcssI did
not expect to be called upon to defend the
name of beloved and hOnOred wife, who is
mother and grandmother, nor did expect
the grave of my little child would be cruelty
tesecratcd Against such gross forms of
wrong the law gives no adequate redress, and
fknow that in the end my most effective appeal
ngainst the hnspcakable outragcs l resist,
must be to tho noble manhood and tho noble
womanhood Of America. Your friend, vel sim
cerely,
James G.. Blaine.
REGARDS IT CONCLUSIVE.
New York, Special Telegram, Sept 10
The Times this morning says:
The statement which Mr.. Blaine makes in his
letter 80 William Walter Phelps should close
all lips upon subject which has been intro
duced in this campaign only where manliness
was forgotten.