Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-13
BLAINE A KNOW NOTHING.

Claims 10 tne Oontrary-So
Facts, Dates and Places succinctiy
stated-Everythin Specific.
Augusta, August l2.-It is claimed with
unblushing efroptery by the defenders o.
Mr.. Blaine that the tarring and feathering
Of Father Bapst, of Ellsworth, the burning
of the Catholic church at Bath, the attempt
ed burning of the Catholic church at Lewis
ton and the outrages and prosecutions OF
Roman Catholic citizens generally in this
State in 1854, took place months prior to
Mr.. Blaines becoming resident OF this
city. In refutation of this misstatement the
following facts are furnished: Mr.. Blame
became citizen of this city in the fall OF
1853. Months after that the Know-Noth-
ing outrages occurred. There is an abund-
ance Of testimony to prove this fact. JOS
eph A. Homan, one Of the most prominent
citizens, who has known Mr.. Blaine ever
since be came here and who is his next
door neighbor, says Il first became &C
ouainted with Mr.. Blaine in this city in the
fall of 1853. He had recently come here
with his wife to take up his residence, and
was not then engaged in any particular bus
inesS.'
Norths history of Augusta, published in
1870; In giving biographical sketch Of Mr.
Blaine, says: "He came to Augusta in
1853" The outrages upon Roman Catho-
lies referred to therefore took place at least
nine months after Blaine took up his resi-
dence in this city, the church burning In
Bath having occurred July 6, and the out
rage on Father Bapst taking place October
IA, both 1854.
Statement OF Blaine's Former Partner.
In this mornings Kennebec Journal John
l.. SteveuS, Of this city, publishes a commu'
nication in which he refers to Mr., Blaine S
connection With the Kapuebec Journal
thirty Years ago when Know-Notbingism
was rampant in this State, as follows "As
his editorial associate at that time, and
thoroughly informed as to his political prin
ciples and affiliations | declare he had nc
sympathy with the distinctive views o.
Know-Nothing organization, was never g
member Of it, but on the contrary was ad
verse to its doctrines and purposes"
Editor of the Kennebec journal.
The facts of history show that Mr.. Blaine
was announced as one of the editors and
proprietors of the Kennebec Journal No,
vember TO- 1854. The late Joseph Baker,
of this city, had been its editor for the year
previous to that date Mr. Blaine apd Mr..
Baker formed co-partnership and pur,
chased the entire Kennebec Journal estab,
lishment from William H. Simpson. Mr.
Baker retired from the paper the following
January, disposing Of his interest to John
L. Stevens, when the firm of Stevens &
Blaine was formed and continued until the
autumn of 1857, when Mr.. Blaine sold his
interest. When Mr.. Blaine first became
one of the editors and proprietors of the
Kennebec Journal it was violent in It's Know
Nothing utteranCes and so continued for
some two years. When Mr.. Stevens pur-
chased his interest card was published in
the Kennebec Journal of January 5, 1855,
from which the following is an extract;
"Mr Baker having disposed of his interest
in this establishment as above stated, the
paper will hereafter be conducted and ed
tied jointly and equally by the undersigned.
This card was signed by John l.. Stevens
and James G. Blaine. On the 18th OF
January Mr.. Stevens, in announcing that
he had become one Of the owners and con-
ductors of the Kennebec Journal, referred
to Mr. Blaine as follows "Our associate and
equal in charge of the Journal needs no in
dorsement from any one. He fully shares
our confidence and sympathy, and to the
principle and purposes of the Republican
organization ne gives his warmest approval
To cultivated mind he adds
a wide range Of acquaintance with Ameri-
can affairs and men and that spring and
vivacity which so well qualify him for his
present duties. A proof Of his metal and
tendencies has been given in the columns of
this paper since his connection with it. In
whatever commendation or censure our
course Of action as editors may bring to our
doors, he and ourself equally share.
1t will thus be seen that admitting that
Mr. Blaine was member Of Know Moth
ing lodge, by Mr.. Stevens own confession
Mr.. Blaine was alike responsible for the
Nrow Nothing sentiments which appeared
in the Kennebec Journal while he was Mr.
Stevens associate; so that one is driven to
the conclusion that Mr.. Blaine was Know
Nothing.