The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-10-02

MR.. BLAINE CLOSES THE MOUTHS OF |
CI INEJ.TOpS

MR.. BLAINE CLOSES THE MOUTHS OF HIS
CAIUMNIATORS.
VIM. Walter Phelps takes the responsibility
Of giving to the public the following private
letter addressed to him by Mr. Blaine under
date Augusta, Sept. 9Th, 1884:
| have your favor of the 4th advising me that
''the continuous invention and wide circulation
Of evil reports render it advisable Gin your
lud9menD not to wait the slow process of law
but to speak directly to the public in my own
vindicatlon." In this opinion, many others on
whose judgment | rely, concur. | shrink in
stinctively from the suggestion, although feel
sure ! could strengthen the confidence of all
who feel friendly to me by bringing to view the
simple thread of truth which is concealed IN
this endless tissue of falSehood. You can
imagine how ineXpressibly painful it must be
to discuss ones domestic life in the press al
though think with YOU that under the circum-
stances could count upon the generosity of the
pubic to justify the statement which otherwise
might seem objectionable. | can in any event
safcl! commit the facts to you for personal
communication to those friends who have taken
so delicate and so conSderate an interest in nv
affairs. The leisure hours of to-day when our
campaign j, ended and we wait only for the
election gives me opportunity for this prompt
reply, and for the following essential details
At Georgetown, Ky, in the spring of 1913
when | was but IS years of age | first met the
lady who for more than 81 years has been my
Wife. Our acquaintance resulted at the end Of
SIX months IN an engagement which without
the prospect Of speedy marriage we naturally
sought to keep to ourselves. Two years later
in the spring Of 1SJ0-when ! was maturing
plans to leave my profession III Kentucky and
establish myself elsewhere was suddenly sum
moncd TO Pennsylvania by the death of my
father. II being very doubtful if could return
TO Kentucky, | was threatened v ith an indeti-
mite separation from her who possessed my
entire devotion. and my own wish was to secure
her to myself by an indjs>oluhle tie against
every possible contingency in life. and on the
3Oth day of June, 1880, inst prior to my depart
ure from kentucky, we We're, in the presence OF
chosen and trusted friends united by what |
know was in my native State Of Pennsylvania
a perfectly legal form of marriage. On reach
inc home found that my family. and especially
my bereaved mother, strongly discountenanced
my business plans as involving too long a sepa-
ration from bcme and kindred and | complied
with her wish that | should resume at least for
u time my occupation in kentucky, whittier |
returned III the latter part of August During
n" ensuing winter. induced by mi>giyings
under new responsibilities. mi>giYngS which
We're increased by legal consultation. became
alarmed lest doubt might be thrown upon the
Validity of our marriage by reason Of nUn-com-
rLiance with the law OF the State where it had
occurred for had earned that the laws of
kentucky made Il license certified by the clerk
OF the county court an Indispensable requisite
Of legal marriage, and after much deliberaiun
and with an anxious desire to guard in the most
eher!uTl manner against any possible embar-
ra>>mcni resulting from oar position, for which
| alone was Responsible. we decided that the
simplest and ut the same time the surest way
Mas TO repair to Pennsylvania and have another
marriage service performed. This was done
in the presence of witnesses in the city Of Pitts
burg in the month of March. 1871. but was not
Otherwise made public for obvious reasons. Ii
WAS soleinnlled only TO secure the indSputable
NaililtN OF the tlTSt marriage being tN my jfp