Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-25
Blaine, LincOln's Friend.
How the Republican Candidate of To-day
Aided the Republican Martyr of the Past


In the Spring of 1877. when Mr. BIaine's
frank expression Of sympathy for 1.-THE heroic
though unsuccessful struggle Gov. Chamber
lain had (has) made in South Carolina, for
civil liberty and constitutional government,
led TO sharp criticism Of his position by papers
more anxiou. TO support the Administration
than to be right, the Boston Journal charged
Mr. Blaine with being opposed TO Mr. Lin
coins second nomination. This was non
sense. but it did not seem nonsense to that
wide circle of people and papers who forget
everything but their preJudces. Mr.. Ward
II. Lamon was. as everyone il aware, the
personal friend and the political copfidant Of
President Lincoln He addressed the follow
ing letter TO the Boston Journal:
wAsHISGrox. April Is. ls77.
To the Editor Of the BOstOn Journal.
| observe in a recent issue Of your paper that you
elass Senator Blaine among those who were op
posed TO the denomination 81 Hr- Lincoln in 1864
The point may be interesting now only as matter
Of history, but 10 that regard il deserves to De set
hight. At that time was marshal Of this district
and think may say on terms Of personal and very
special intimacy with Mr.. Lincoln.
knew those who were his frieni- and those who
ere plotting against him, and am very SURE that
there among the younger members OF
Congress on more Intimate, cordial and conhdentaI
terms with MIR. Lincoln than Mr.. Blaine, nor was
there any more implicitly trusted by Ar. Lin
coin.
When the movement made against Mr LIN
coin, the winter preceding the campaign OF 1864, Mr.
Blaine the man with whom Mr.. Lincoln constant
ly conferred about Maine, and | was present at
conference between the two when Mr. Lincoln re
qu"sted Mr. Blaine 10 proc. I'd 10 &aine and see If
there any adverse movement there. Mr.. Blaine re
ported by telegraph Mr.. Lincoln and he sent also
TO me telegram. which made public in the
Washington papers, and think through the ASCOT
ated Press
Mr. Lincoln became acquainted with Mr. Blaine in
II inOis during his memorable campaign with Doug
las N 1855 Mr. Blaine was corresponding from the
scene OF contest with his paper in hne, and in one
Of his letters he predicted that Lincoln would be de-
feasd for senator by Douglas, bat would beat Doug
las for president In 1850. This letter copied IN
several Illinois papers, and Mr. Lincoln cut II out
and carried it in his small memorandum book until
long after he was inaugurated president. IL nat
uruIly laid the foundation for cordial friendship e
tween the two. Moreover. at the Chicago conyen-
toe, in 1850, br. Blaine was almost the only New
England man who was for Lincoln from the start
10 his efforts credited the division in the Maine
delegation on the first ballot, and that "ths
hight in the East" which herald d speedy victory.
These incidents are stated from my own personal
knowlrdgs You viii be glad, | know, TO publish
tn IN II, a matter Of personal justice TO Mr.. Blaine
and perhaps also for their intrinsic Interest pOlit
icai "reminiscences. Very respectfully, etc,
WAED II. LAMON.