Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-09-25
Facts Stated.
a MANLY LETTER.
Mr.. BLAINE's ANSWER.

Hon. William Walter Phel)s takes the re-
sponsibiity of giving to the public the fol-
lowing private letter addressed to him near
ly two weeks ago:
AUGUSTA, Sept. 6, 1854.
NV Dear Mr. Phelps: have your favor
Of the 4th instant, advising ne that 'the
continuous invention and wide circulation
of evil reports render it advisable" in YOUR
Judgment. mot 10 wait the slow process of
law, but TO speak directly to the public in
my own vindication." In this opinion many
others. on whose Judgment | RELY, concur.
| shrink, instinctively. from the suggestion,
although feel sure could strengthen the
confidence of all who feel friendly to me, by
bringing TO their view the simple thread Of
truth which is concealed in this endless
tissue Of falsehood.
You can imagine how inexpressibly pain
fGl It must be t. discuss ones domestic life
IN the press. although think, with YOU that
under the circumstances could rely on the
generosity OF the public 10 Justify state
ment when otherwise might seem objection
able. ! can, IN any event, safely commit
the facts to you for personal communication
e friends Who have taken so delicate and
cons.derate interest in my affairs. The les-
ure hours Of to-day. when our campaign is
ended and We wait only for the election.
gives me an opportunity for this prompt re-
ply and for the following essential details
Al Georgetown, Kentucky. in the spring Of
lSiS. when vas but Is wears Of age. frs,
met the lady who for more than "a wears
has been my wife.
q. L. r
SIX months in an engagement which, with
out the prospect Of speeds marriage, We
naturally sough, TO keep to ourselves. Two
wears later, in the spring Of 1850, when !
was maturing plans TO leave my profession
in Kentucky and establish myself elsewhere,
l was suddenly summoned to Pennsylvania
by the death Of my father. Ii being very
doubtful if ! could return 10 Kentucky
was threatened with indefinite separation
from her who possessed my entire devotion.
Ny one wish vas 10 secure her 10 myself BY
an indissoluble tie against every possible
contingency in life, and on the 30th day Of
June, 1850, just prior TO nv departure from
Kentucky. We were, in the presence Of chos-
en- and trusted friends. united bv what !
know was, in my native State Of Pennsyl-
yania, perfectly legal form of marriage.
On reaching home | found my family, and
dlscountenanced my business plans, as in
vo!ving too long a separation from home.
complied with her wish that ! should re-
sumo. al least for time, my occupation in
he ltucky, whittier returned in the latter
part Of August. During the ensuing win
ter, induced by misgiyings under new re-
ponslbllltles-misgiyings which were H.
creased by legal oonsuliation-I became
alarmed lest doubt might be thrown on the
Legality Of our marriage BY reason Of non
compliance with the law Of the State where
il occurred; for had learned that the laws
Of Kentucky made a license, certified by
the clerk Of the County Court, an indispen-
sable requisite Of legal marriage.
After much delibera.ion and with an anx-
ious desire TO guard, in the most efFectual
manner, against any possible embarrassment
resulting from our position, for which !
alone was responsible, We decided that the
simplest and at the same time surest way
was to repair to Pennsylvania and have an
other marriage service performed. This
was done in the presence Of witnesses in the
city Of Pittsburg, in the month Of March,
1911, but was not otherwise made public,
for obvious reasons. Ii was solemnized
only to secure indisputabie validity; the
first marriage being, By my wife and myself,
always held sacred. At the mature age Of
ffty-fcur do not defend the wisdom or
prudence Of secret marriage suggested BY
the ardor and inexperience of youth, but its
honor and its purity were inviolate, as | be-
lieve, in the sight of God, and cannot be
made TO appear otherwise BY the wicked de-
vices of men.
Il brought to me companionship which has
been my chief happiness from boyhood's
Years 10 this hour, and has crowned me with
whatever Of success have attained in life.
Ny eldest child, son. was born in his
grandmother's house on the 18th of June,
1851, in Augusta. Me-, and died in her arms
three years later. His ashes repose in the
cemetery of his native city. beneath stone
which recorded his name and the limits of
his innocent life. That stone, which had
stood for almost au entire generation, has
been recently defaced by brutal and sacrile-
gious hands.
As candidate for President knew that
should encounter many forms of calumny
and personal defamation, but confess that
| did not expect to be called on to defend
the name Of nv beloved and honored wife,
who is mother and grandmother, Tor did /
expect that the grave Of my little child
would be cruelty desecrated. 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 I'M
speakable outrages which resist, must be
to the noble manhood and noble woman
hood of America. Your friend very sincere
ly, JAMES G. BLAINE.