St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-17
BLAINE'S BACK DOWN,
By Dismissing His Grand Libel Suit
Against the indianapolis
Sentinel.
The Baby Act Closed by His Declaration That
He Could Not Get Justice in an
Indiana Court.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 16.-Blaine this morn
ing dismissed the libel suit against the Sen
t.1asl in the United States court. The prir-
cipal ground was that he could not get jus
tice in Indiana II VS. set for trial the %
instant. The following is Blaine's letter to
his attorneys, instructing them 20 dismiss the
case:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 10.-Messrs.
Harrison, Miller and Elan, Counsellors at
Law. Gentlemen: When requested you in
August last 10 bring suit against the publish
ers Of the Indianapolis Sentinel for libel, did
so in the belief that the wrong done me by
that paper, being entirely of personal and
domestic character, could be fairly tried with
out undue influence from political considera-
tons / confess was profoundly amazed to
md the matter at once taken up aud the
hoel reproduced with all possible exaggers-
ton III every Democratic paper in Indiana.
Except from three members Of the Demo
cratic party Of that state / never heard that
word OF dissent or disapprOYal was spoken,
while the great mass Of Democratic speakers
repeated the libel from every stump in
Indiana with vituperatiye rancor,
with jibe and ribald Jest.
II was thus made, so far as anysmatter of the
kind can be made on issue, in any exciting
political campaign and the Democrats of the
state were thoroughly poisoned in their
minds In regard to the question to be deci led
at law. Under such conditions it is simply
impossible that can have fair trial, or that
can Expect any other result than that
which informally attends a polti-
cal libel suit growing out of
an exciting campaign in this
country. If / were unfair enough to desire
jury OF my own partisans, I could not
have 1t. A properly constituted governor in
Indiana would be composed of members of
both political parties in equal proportions.
When visited Indiana in October was re-
peatedly advised that six Democrats could
not be found in the state who in a political
suit would give a verdict against their
leading party organ. This did not neces-
sarily convey an imputation upon their
personal integrity as citizens, but sir ply that
the binding of party prejudice would utterly
prevent an impartial consideration of the
question submitted L am perfectly able to fight
the Se1stise newspaperin an Indiana court,
but would stand no chance whatever against
the consolidated venom Of the Democratic
party Of the state with these surroundings
and with this prospect. II is idle for me TO
go through the trouble aud annoyance of a
trial. The questions propounded by the bill
Of discovery have already been substantially
and fully answered by me, and l am willing
10 leave my written statement aud answers
under oath to the judgment of the public
l do not choose 10 have the case indirectly
concluded by technically or suffered 20 die
in silence. l prefer to make this frank and
open statement Of reason which induced me
10 believe the prosecution of the case would
be utterly fruitless. Very respectfully,
JAMES G. BLAINE.