The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-09-25
MORRILL, ON BLAINE.
A Curious and Entertaining Bit of
Political History.


A Curious and Entertaining Bit Of
Political History.
" Thank MY Father in Heaven That He
Called Him Home Before the Party
Disgraced Itself by Nominating So
wicked and Corrupt Man."
The late Senator Lot M. Morrill,, of
Maine, represented the purest and best
methods in politics, as his successor,
James G. Blaine, represents the worst.
The clear facts of Blaine's ten years
leadership of the party in Maine leaves
no doubt on that point. When Senator
Morrill, resigned the Senatorship to ac-
cept the Treasury portfolio under Grant,
as will be remembered, Mr.. Blaine was
appointed his successor. Senator Nor
ril died here eighteen months ago. His
widow, who is the daughter of the late
Mr.. Vance, who in his day was Que of
the most prominent citizens of this sec-
ton. lives in a pleasant home on Win
throp street this city. She is a lady
evidently of great force of character
and helpmate OF her distinguished hus-
band. both in the Executive Mansion of
this State and during the many years of
his residence at Washington as Senator
and Secretary of the IRE ,sury.
Mrs. Morrill, was recently surprised
to receive from Ohio an Official letter
directed to her late husband. Opening
it she found it to be a very importunate
appeal to Senator Morrill, to visit Ohio
and to lend his aid to saving the State
to Mr.. Blaine. Mrs. Morrill, turned the
sheet over and wrote on its back an in
dignant reply and mailed it forthwith
to the gentlemen who had signed the
appeal
The Herald correspondent called on
Mrs. Morrill, at her residence this even
ing. She is still in deep mourning and
consented to receive the visit with great
reluctance, but she said that the ext
gency created by Mr.. Blaine's nomina-
tion is 30 important that she was con-
vinced all private feelings should be
subordinate to it. As her husband had
been one of the most distinguished, 10y
al and upright members of the Repub-
lican party, as he had assisted in its
formation, had been one of its first
held its traditions and its principles
faithfully until his last conscious mo-
ment, she knew that if alive to. day he
would feel that it was disgraced by the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine as its capdi-
go of all that had made its existence
| necessary to the country.
.sWhen Garfield was nominated, !"
-
| ly and seriously, .sMy dear, the Repub-
ican candidate will be elected this time,
but, unless new methods are used in the
party and new and better men become
its leaders, he will be the last one. You
will live. to see a Democrat elected four
years hence. 1 will not My hus-
band" continued Mrs. Morrill,, "died
of his devotion to the party of which he
thus sadly spoke. 1t Is unquestioned
that the breaking down OF his health
| dated from his, perhaps, too faithful
| perfo. nance of his duties in the Treas
ury Department.
To question of Herald correspon.
| dent as to the Ohio letter Mrs. Morrill,
said:
"Some six weeks ago 1 received 8
| letter from Columbus, O., on a sheet
with printed head representing some
political organization. / was so sur
prised and indignant at its contents thai
did not particularly notice whether i
was from State Committee or some
political club, but it was signed by
Mr.. Brown, as Chairman, and Mr.
Ogden as Secretary. 1t was as well a
can remember it, about as follows:
Senator Lot M. Morrill,:
| DEAR SIR:-The situation in Ohio is crit
ical one. The party is in trouble on accoun
of the attacks on Mr. B: :aine as the candidat,
of the party. Your wellknown character as
pure and upright statesman, and comm,
from Blaines own State. you could refute thu
| charges as no one else can. We hope yo,
| will come to us in this emergency, and maxi
| as many speeches as possible.
81 was indignant and amazed tina
any Republican should be ignorant tina
my husband was dead. 1 was more in
dignant that he should be asked to as
sist in making Mr.. Blaine President.
at once sat down and wrote on tn,
back of the sheet this reply, as near a
can remember it. am now sorr,
that did not keep copies of both let
ter and of my reply.
To Brown, Chairman, Columbus O.:
a Communication. thought every c.tizen ai Il
this country knew my husband was at rest
am in mourning for him, but as much as
en- tnat he cal ed him home before the part
he loved SO well and did so much for had S
disgraced itself as to nominate SO wicked
man for the highest Office within the gift O
the American people as know and my hu:
band knew James G. Blaine to be. If h
were alive he would not support MIR. Blain
or any such man. even at the bidding of hi
party. CHARLOTTE MORRILL,.
'My husband" continued Mrs. Nor
rill, ''was visited by Mr.. Blaine at tn
beginning of the Congressional investi
CATION into the Little Rock Railroa
bonds. Mr.. Blaine, as he did to Null
gan, importuned my husband with tear
and entreaties to use his influence t
save him. When my husband resigne
to 60 into the Cabinet, it was general
understood, and my husband so under
stood, that Governor Chamberlai
would be appointed to fill the vacancy
Instead, and to the surprise of ever
one, Governor Connor appointed MI
Blame, then Representative in Cor
gress and under charges in that body,
the vacancy"
As Mrs Morrill, intimated, the ar
pointment of Mr.. Blaine to the vacanc
was evidently to save him from tn
further investigation and the inevitabl
discriminating verdict of the commit
tee. Governor Connor had his reward
He is now Pension Agent for this State
the best Office next to the Collector
ship.-Augusta (Me. Cor. N. Y. Herald
$ About Dodging.
One of the manifestations of the i'm
moral character of our public men
al & -,