Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-06-17
An Open Letter
Fsox A FoxxKR PAsroR OF Mr. BLAINE

The Rev E. B. Webb, one Of the mos
eminent Congregational clefgymen in th
county, has written the following open lette
to the Boston Journal, in regard to the re
publican nominee for President:
The question Of my attitude toward Mr.
Blaine il so often put 70 me by my friends
and the assaults upon him are 50 often I'm
founded and unjust, that / am disposed q
write . word, ahd I know not where an,
word of mine would find . more cordial vel
come or . wider reading than 10 THE Bos
ton Journal" I an not going into an,
political controversy. / have no grudges u
crafty, nor will willingly wound or wroni
any person who. from ignorance or prejudice
or distrusr, or partisan zeal, differs from me
Still further do confess that probably l an
Influenced in what say more or less by my
personal friendship for Mr.. Blaine. l VA
his pastor for many year, at Augusta
baptis~d his children. | buried his dead
Between Us there grew up an undisguisec
confidence and a cordial, free intercourse
but we we're never blind to each other
fanlts. He never thought Of me as perfect
and never thought of him as perfect In
deed. think we are often the most severe IN
our judgement upon those whom we esteem
the highest. After we left Augusta, we saw
less of each other for several years. But
last summer I enjoyed the pleasure OF VISIT
among my former pensioners, and renewed
the old.time intimacy in Mr.. Blaine's home.
We walked together, read portions of his
book together, rode again over the roads
familiar to Us both, talked over all the past,
its aim, and dsappointments, considered the
present and guessed the future. And l am
bound to say that after the fullest. and freest
conversation, formal and informal, serious
and chatty, my confidence in this much
abused man il neither shaken nor abated,
and believe that the attacks made upon him
are - unfounded ~ they are malicious.
Criticism, fair and honorable. Of public con-
duct and public men, 10 not to be deprecated.
but let any one recall what has been
laid at Mr.. Blaine's door within the
last few weeks and months, while he
has been diligently at work in his
library, and it will be seen that the maneu-
vres, bargains, schemes and plots which have
been attributed to him might have been at
tributed to General Gordon in Khartoum with
lust about as much truth. From personal
knowledge and confidence in the absolute
truthfulness of words spoken to me, do moi
believe Mr.. Blaine has spoken q word OF
written letter or spent farthing to secure
his present nomination. and if he is elected,
as / trust he will be, though not for his sake,
it will be because the people want him to be
President If elected, he will call to his aid
some Of the purest and ablest men in the
country. he will give an Administration
which, for justice, goodness and stability will
compare well with the best that has proceed
ed it.
Job, tired of waiting for his accusers to
e L.. gsh bat npa
wonld hear me and that mine enemy had writ.
ten a book" Well Mr.. Blaine has written a
book-a book in which he has discussed and
review ed. incidentally at least. the fundamen-
tai principals and practices, the relations and
the mission Of our Government. He has an
alyzed and estimated. criticised, commended
or condemned the conduct and the career OF
nearly all the men who have been promi-
nsnt for the last twenty-five years The
causes and the course of the war, the imme-
diate issues and the remoter consequences, he
has Judged, and such a work calls for the
most extensive and accurate knowledge, as
well as for the coolest and soundest Judg-
ment. Men. if they choose, can read the
book in which the man is mirrored and see
whose image and superscription this is. They
can recall the past. and reflect upon his SEN
fences and opinions ard see whether he holds
a just balance and affirms righteous judg
ment. The result. think. would be the ut.
terance of less Phariseeism and more truth
The Pharisee is not much better in politics
than in religion; besides. MIR. Blaine has
written a eulogy Of the esteemed and lamen.
ted President Garfield. with whom he was
intimate, and, if any one choose, he may of.
ten read betw cen the lines and see whether
the coming President has proper idea of the
man who is to stand at the head of the Ma
ton. Certainly we have the means of fair
and full estimate of Mr.. Blaine. l beg to
suggest whether every interest private OF
public, would not be better served by aband.
oning attacks upon private character and
motive and by seeking the truth, which i,
profitable to guide u.s.