The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1884-09-25
THE WHOLE STORY
Mr.. BLAINE MAKES A CLEAN
BREAST OF IT,
And Tells That He is the Hero of
Two Marriages, and Both
of them Private.
AUGUSTA, Sept. 6, 1884.
NJ, noa, NJ,

My Dear Mr.. Phelps:
have your favor of the 4th, adj
vising me that the continuous inven-
ton and wide circulation of evil re-
ports render it advisable, in your
judgement, not to await the slow
processes of law, but to speak direct
~ to the public in my own rindica-
ton. In this opinion many others
on whose judgement rely concur.
shrink instinctively from the sug-
gesticn, although l feel sure | could
strengthen the confidence of all who
feel friendly to me by bringing to
view the simple thread of truth which
is covered in this endless tissue Of
falschood. You can imagine how in
expressibly painful it must be to
discuss ones domestic life in the
press. Although ] think with you,
that, under the circumstances,
could count upon the generosity of
the public to justify a statement
which otherwise might seem objec-
tionable, | can, in any event, safely
commit the facts to you for the con
sideration Of those friends who have
taken so delicate and considerate an
interest in my affairs.
The leisure hours of to day, when
our campaign is ended and we wait
only for the election, give me an op-
portunity for this prompt reply, and
Tor the following essential details
At Georgetown, KY, 10 the spring
of lS4S, when was about eighteen
years of age,
FIRST MET THE LADY
who for more than thirty-four years
has been my wife. Our acquaint.
ance resulted at the end OF six
months in an engagement which,
without prospec. of speedy marriage,
we naturally sought to keep to our
selves. Two years prior to my de-
parture from Kentucky we were, in
the presence of chosen and trusted
friends united, by what knew was
in my native State of Pennsylvania
a perfectly legal form OF marriage.
On reaching home found that my
family, and especially my bereaved
mother, strongly discountenanced
my business plans as involving too
long a separation from home and
kindred. ] complied with her wish
that should resume, at least for a
time, my occupation in Kentucky,
whittier | returned IN the latter part
of August. During the ensuing
winter, induced by misgivings.
which increased my legal consulta.
tions, | became alarmed lest doubt
might be thrown on the validity of
our marriage by reason of non-com
pliance with the laws of the State
where it occurred. for had learned
that the Jaws of Kentucky made a
license certified by clerk of the
county court an indispensable requi
site OF legal marriage. After much
deliberation and with an anxious
desire to guard in the most effectual
manner against any possible embar-
rassment resulting from our posi-
ton, for which | alone was response
Bile, we decided that the simplest,
and at the same time the snrest.
way was TO repair to Pennsylvania,
AND HAVE ANOTHER MARRIAGE SER
VICE
performed. This was done in the
presence of witnesses In the city OF
Pittsburg, in the month of March.
1891, but was not otherwise made
public for obvious reasons. 1t was
solemnlzed only to secure an indis.
putable validity-the first marriage
being by my wife and myself always
held sacred. AT the mature doe Of
54 do not defend the wisdom or
prudence Of q secret marriage sug.
gested by the ardor and inexperi
ence of youth. but its honor and its
purity were inviolate, as | believe.
IN the sight OF God, aud cannot be
made TO appear otherwise by the
wicked devices of men. 1t brought
me companionship which has been
my chief happiness from boyhood's
years to this hour, and has crowned |