The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-25
DISMISSED,
Mr.. Blaine Conclud-s to Desist From Pros
ecutIng the indianapolis sentinel.

Mr.. Blaine Conclud-s to Desist From Pros-
ecutIng the indianapolis sentinel.
INDIANAPOLIS, December II. - Mr.
Blaine this morning dismissed the libel suit.
against the Sentinel in the United States
Court. The principal ground was that hoi
could not get justice in Indiana. 1t wass
set for trial the 23d inst.
Following is Blaine's letter to his attor--
neys, instructing them to dismiss the case:-
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. December 10, lss4.-
To Messr>. Harrison, Miller q Elba, CoGn-
selors at Law:
GENrs:-Whea requested you in August.
last 10 bring suit against the publishers of
the Indianapolis Sentinel for libel, did so in
the belief that the wrong done me by that
paper. being entirely of a personal and do
mestic character. could be fairly tried with
out undue influence from political consider
ations. confess was profoundly amazed TO
find the matter at once taken up and the libel
reproduced with all possible exaggeration ia.
every Democratic paper in Indiana Except
from three members of tbe Democratic party
of that State. / never heard that word OF
dissent or diSapproyal was spoken. while the
great mass OF Democratic speakers repeated
the libel from every stump in Indiana with
vituDeratcd rancor, with gibe and ribald 1es+.
IL was thus made so far as any matter OF the
kind can be made, an issue in an exciting po-
litlcal campaign and the Democrats OF the
State were thoroughly poisoned in their
minds in regard to the question to be decided
l,y law Under such conditions, 10 is simply
impossible that / can have Il fair trial OF
that / can expect any other result thar
that which uniformly attends politi-
raj libel suit growing out of an ezctt-
ing campaign IN this country. If were un-
fair enough to desire jury composed of my
own partisans could not have IL. A prop
ery constituted Jury iE Indiana would be
composed Of members of both political par
ties in about equal proportions. When /
visited Indiana i'm October j was repeatedly
advised that six Democrats could not be
found in the State who In a political suit
would give a verdict against their leading
party organ. This did not necessarily con-
Yey an imputation upon their personal in
tegrity a. citizens. but simply that the blind
ing of popular prejudice would utterly pre-
vent an impartial consideration OF evidence
submitted. i am perfectly able TO fight the
SeHtfItll newspaper in an Indiana court. but
! would stand no chance Whatever against
the cor so lidated venom of the Democratic
party O, the State. With these surroundings
and with this prospect it Is idle for me 10 go
through the trouble and annoyance OF trial
The questions prOpOundcd by the bill OF dis
coYery have already been substantially anT
fully answered by me. and am Wiling 10
leave my written statement and answers
under oath to the Judgment of the public
do not choose to have the case indirectly
concluded by 4 technicality or suffered 10
die IN silence. prefer TO make this frank
and open statement of the reason which in
duccd me TO believe the prosecution OF the
case would be utterly 1ruitless-
Very respectfully, JAMES u blaine