Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-12-26
MR., BLAlNE'S SUIT ENDED.
HE ORDERS THE CASE DISMISSED.
The ImpoSsibility of Obtaining II fair Jury
Trial in Indiana Given as the Rca-
son for Withdrawing the suit
Against the sentinel other
Considerat ions.

INDIANAPolIs, Ind. Dec. lG.-Mr, Blaine
has addressed the following letter to his
attorneys, instructing them to dismiss the
suit against the publishers of the Indian
apolis Sentinel
WAsuINGroN, ID. c., Dec. 10, lsS3
To Messrs. Harrison, Miller Il Elan,
COunsellOrS at IaW.-Gentlcmen: When
requested you, in August last, To bring
suit against the publisher of the lndianap-
oils Sentinel for libel, did so in the belief
that the wrong done me by the paper,
being entirely of Il personal and domestic
character, could be fairly tried without I'M
due influence from political COnsidcra-
tons | confess was profoundly amazed
to find the matter at once taken up and
the libel reproduced with all possible cN-
aggeratOn in every Democratic paper i'll
Indiana. Except from three mem
bers of the Democratic party of that
State, never heard that Il word
OF dissent of dsapprOval was spoken,
while the great mass, of the
Democratic speakers repeated the libel
from every stump in Indiana with vitup-
erative rancOr, with gibe and rbald jest.
| 1t was thus made. so far as any matter of
the kind could be made, an issue in the
exciting political campaign, and the Dem
ocrats of the state We're thoroughly pOis-
! oned in their minds in regard to the ques-
ton to be decided ut law. Under such
considerations 1t Is SIMPLY Impossible tnat
can have Il fair trial or that can expect any
other result that that which uniformly
attends II political libel suit, growing out
of an exciting campaign in this country.
| If | were unfair enough to desire II
jury composed of my own partiSans
/ could not have it. \ properly cOnstitu-
ted Jury in Indiana would be composed of
members of both political parties In about
equal proportions. When | visited In
diana in October was repeatedly advised
that six Democrats could not he found in
the State who, i'll II political suit, would
give verdict against their leading party
organ. This did not necessarily convey
an impultation upon their personal inteE-
rity as citizens, but simply that the blend
ing of party prejudice would utterly pre-
vent an impartial consideration of the evi-
lence submitted.
| am perfectly able to fight the Sentinel
newspaper in an Indiana court, but
would stand no chance whatever against
the consolidated venom of the Democratic
party of the State, With these sur
rOundingS and with this prospect il
is idle for me to go through the
trouble and annoyance of Il trial. The
Questions propounded by the bill of dis
covery have already been substantially
and fully answered Ivy me. ana | am will
ing to leave my written statement and an
sWerS under oath 10 the judgment of the
public do not choose to have the cast
Indirectly concluded by Il tcchnicality ol
suffered to die in silence prefer to max,
this frank and open statement of the rca
son which induced me to believe the prose
cutiOn of the case would be utterly fruit
less. Very respectfully,
JAMES G.. BLAINE