Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-20
MR. BLAINE.S MARRIAGE,
The Story Told by Himself.

HIS SECRET MARRIAGE IN KESrucKY-aNorHER
CEREMONY IN PrTTsBURG AND THE BKAsoN FOR
1.-THE DESIGNATED GRAVE HIS FIRST BORN
Hon. William Walter Phelps takes the response
elty OF giving to the public the following private
letter. addressed to him nearly two weeks ago:
AUGUSTA, September 6-Mr DEAR Mr.. PHELPS:
nave your favor OF the 4th. advising that
1.-THE continuous invention and wide circuia-
ZION or evil reports render it advisable On your
ludgmentl not TO wait the slow process OF law but
10 speak directly TO the public In my own vindica
Judgment rely concur.
l shrink instinctively from the suggestion
although feel sure could strengthen the con-
ndence OF all who felt friendly TO me by bringing
10 view the simple thread of truth which Is con-
ceaed In the endless tissue OF IalSehoOd. You can
imagine how ineNpressIbly painful IL must be 10
discuss ones domestic life in the press, although
think with you. that under the circumstances
could count upon the generosity OF the public TO
justify statement which otherwise might Sem
objectionable. can, In any event, safely commit
Tue facts TO you for personal communication 10
tnoSe friends who have taken so delicate and so
conSlderate an Interest in my affairs The leisure
hours OF to-day, when our campaign is ended and
We wait only for the election, gives me the oppor
tunity for this prompt reply, and Tor the following
essential details:
AT Georgetown, Ky. in the spring of ls4s, when
was but Is years Of age, / first met the lady who
for more than "a years has been my wife. our ac-
quaintance resulted at the end OF six months, I'm
an engagement, which, without the prospect OF
speedy marriage, We naturally sought 10 keep to
ourselves Two years later, In the spring OF 1880
When was maturing plans to leave my profession
suddenly summoned TO Pennsylvania by the death
or my father. 1t being very doubtful If / could
[etu i 10 hentucky, was threatened with an In
deflnlte separation from her who possessed my en-
tire devotion. My one wish was to secure her TO
myself by an indiSSoube tie against every possible
contingency In life, and on the 10th day or June,
1850, just prior TO my departure from Kentucky.
were In the presence OF chosen and trusted friends
united by what knew was, in my native state OF
Pennsylvania, perfectly legal form OF marriage
on reaching home found that my family. and
especially my bereaved mother, strongly discoun-
tenanced my business plans as involving too long
separation from home and kindred. complied
with her wish that should resume, at least for a
time, my occupation in Kentucky, whittier / re-
turned In the latter part OF August During the
ensuing winter. induced by misgiyings, under new
Observation-Disclosures which Were increased
by legal consultatiOnS-I became alarmed lest a
doubt might be thrown upon the validity of our
marriage by reason OF noncompliance with the
law or the state where it had occurred-for had
learned that the laws OF Kentucky made a license
certified by the clerk OF the county court indis
pensable requisite OF a legal marriage. After much
cooperation, and with an anxious desire 10 guard
IN the most eIectual manner against any possible
embarrassment resulting from our posiIion-for
which alone was responsible, we decided that the
simplest, and at the same time the Surest, way
to repair to Pennsylvania and have another
marriage service performed This was done
city one on sbarE in OF tns Of IN the
1851, but was not otherwise made public
for obvious reasons. 1t was soIemnized only TO
being by my wife and myself always held sacred
AT the mature age OF 81 do not defend the wisdom
OF prudence OF secret marriage, suggested by the
ardor and the ineXperience OF YOUTH but its honor
and It's purity were inytoate, as believe, in the
sight of God, and cannot be made to appear other
wise by the wicked devices OF men, Ii brought to
me conpanonShip which has been my chief hap
plneSS from bOyhoodS years to this year, and has
crowned me With whatever OF success | have at
tanned in life. My eldest child, son. was born in
his grandmother's house on the 18th day of June
1851. In the city OF Augusta, Maine and died I'm her
arms three years later. His ashes IepOse In the
cemetery OF bis native city, beneath stone which
recorded his name and the limits OF his innocent
lie. That stone, which had stood for almost an
entire generation. has been recently defaced by
brutal and SacrilegiOuS hands
AS candidate for the Presidency knew that I
should encounter many forms or calumny and per-
Sonal defamation, but / confess that did not ex-
pect 10 be called upon to defend the name OF a be
loved and honored wife, who is mother and a
grandmother, nor did l expect that the grave of
my little child would be cruelty deSecrared Against
such gross forms OF wrong the law gives no ade-
quate redress, and know that In the end my most
effective appeal against the unSpeakabe outrages
which resist must be to the noble manhood and
the noble wOmanhOOd OF America.
our friend, very sincerely, JAMES @. BLAINE.