Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-14
BLAINE'S COURAGE.

dacy Of Blaine and the talk about his
courage, both morally and physically, in
connection with the assertion that his sub.
sttute in the late war departed, and that
the plumed knight was therefore not rep
resented at the front, has revived comment
upon the scene at the Baltimore and Poto-
mac depot, in this city, three years ago,
when President Garfield fell by the bullet of
Guteau. That comment does not augment
the reputation of Mr.. Blaine for courage,
but adds another entry on the left hand SIDE
of the ledger against him. had talk
with a gentleman who was near the depot
at the time the bullet was fired which re-
suited in the Presidents death, and who
rushed to the scene scarcely before the
participants in the sad affair had moved
from their tracks, and who, therefore, had
the best opportunity of learning how those
who were with Garfield acted at the su-
preme moment of excitement. ut has
been stated III print that Mr.. Blaine re-
leased himself from the President when
the assassin fired, and that he sprang
under seat in the ladies' room," he said
to gentleman. THAT is Incorrect re-
piled he, "but the incorrectness of the state
ment does not relieve Mr.. Blaine from the
odium of the true facts. He did not get
under seat, because the seats were so low
and slight that they would not have Afford
ed him protection could he have gotten
under them. But Blaine did even worse.
You will remember that when Garfield
went to the depot to depart for Long Branch
he was accompanied in his carriage by Mr..
Blaine, and that they were joined by Attor-
ney General Wayne MacVeagh and Colonel
Rockwell superintendent of public build
ings and grounds. They all had talk
together at the depot, after which Blaine
locke his arm in that of the President and
they began walking around through the
ladies' and other waiting rooms by them
selves, and were evidently holding private
conversation about some extensive business.
Rockwell and MacVeagh turned oil by
themselves also and were chatting. AT the
time Garfield and Blaine were walking
through the ladies' room, arm-in arm, and
when Guiteau appeared upon the scene
with his bulldog pistol MacEeagh and
Rockwell were not in view to them. They
were, it is said, in another room but when
the assassin fired the bullet MacVeagh and
Rockwell were almost instantly upon the
scene. The bullet had scarcely entered the
body of the President when Blaine olsen
gagged his arm from that of the President,
and, permitting the latter 10 sink upon the
floor, rushed out into the general waiting
room crying "Whcre is Rockwell! ?" "Wherc
is Rockwell?" nor did lie cease his inquiries
for Rockwell until he had run out to the
gate which opens 10 the trains, 100 feet
away from the assassin.
"Guiteau ran out also into the general re.
ccpiion room, but he was not after Blaine.
L noa Il c,1l wiz
he ran plump into the arms of policeman,
10 whom he surrendered, giving up his pis-
lul, manuscript statement etc. when
did Blaine return to his friend, the pres-
dent 2" Not until some one told him the
assassin had been taken into custody by the
police. and that there was no danger. Blaine
must have been away from the President
almost minute before he returned. You
know sixty seconds is Il long time at such
a moment rs that. Finally Blaine dashed
back and took hold of the President, who
was being raised by Rockwell. They lifted
him into the office of the railroad company,
physicians were dispatched for and-you
know the rest" "Wherc was Attorney
General MacVcagh ?' | asked. "Oh, the
actions Of MacFeagh were the least manly
Of them all. As soon as he saw the assassin,
with smoking pistol pointed at the Presi-
dent, heard the report of the iirearm. and
saw the President heard the report of the
firearm, and saw the President sinking TO
the floor. he ran like ferret for hole. He
ran through the westernmost door leading
from the general to the ladies' waiting
room, and dashed into the restaurant
adjoining the waiting room on the
west. Reaching the restaurant he jumped
behind the counter, and ducking down
H. oo1- paf,, IN, iln Of
oyster and clam shells, just like an urchin
playing hide and go seek Why, Mac.
Veagh didn't emerge from his retreat until
the President had been removed to the pri-
vate room and the physicians were being
sent for. 1t seems that both Blaine and
MacEeagh thought their day had come and
that their assassination would follow that
of Garfield Col. Rockwell was beside the
fallen executive~as soon as possible. He
displayed the only presence of mind or
courage shown BY the friends of Garfield.
When I entered the room MacVeagh had
not put in an appearance, and Rockwell,
Blaine and one or two others were bearing
the wounded man away. But Blaine was
as pale as death. 1t was not agitation OF
the ordinary kind, but fear. He seemed to
apprehend the rush of Guiteau lying in wait
for him at any moment. Oh if the word
knight after the affix Plumed,' was
indicative of the courage the word is gen
orally believed to imply, it would not be so
farcical; but then I never see allusion 10
Blaine's bravery, either with his tongue or
hands, without hear that distressing in
quiry, Where is Rockwell z? and see that
ghastly look of fear on his countenance."
TERTILIZERS! FERTILIZERS! !-Patapsco