The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-16

Rev. DR.. E. B. Webb, in Boston Joarnal.
l am not going into any political controversy
have no grudges to crafty, nor will Willingly
wound or wrong any person who, from ignor-
ance or prejudice, or distrust, or partisan zeal,
differs from me- Still further I do confess that
probably 1 am influenced in what 1 say more or
less by my personal friendship and affection for
Mr. Blaine. l was his pastor for many years at
Augusta baptized his children buried his
dead. Between us there grew up an undis-
guised confidence and a cordial, free intercourse,
but we were never blind to each others faults
He never thought of me as perfect, and never
thought of him as perfect. Indeed l think we
are often the most severe in our judgment upon
those whom we esteem the highest After we
left Augusta, we sawle of each otherfor several
years But last summer l enjoyed the pleasure
of a visit among my former parishioners, and
renewed the old-time intimacy in Mr.. Baine's
home We walked together, read portions of
his book together, rode again over the roads
familiar to us both, talked over all the past its
aims and disappointments, considered the pres
emit and guessed the future. And ! am bound to
say that after the fullest and freest conversation,
formal and informal, serious and chatty, my
confidence in this much-abused man is neither
tacks made upon him are as unfounded as they
are malicious Criticism, fair and honorable,
of public conduct and public men, is not to be
deprecated, but let any one recall what has been
laid at Mr. Blaines door within the last few
weeks and months, while he has been diligently
at work in his library, and 1t will be seen that
the maneuvers, bargains, schemes and plots
which have been attributed to him might have
been attributed to General Gordon in Khartoum
with Just about as much truth. From personal
knowledge and confidence in the absolute truth
fitness of words spoken to me, L do not believe
Mr. Blaine has spoken a word, or written let
ter or spent a farthing to secure his present
nomination, and if he is elected, as | trust he
will be- though not for his sake, it will be be-
cause the people want him to be President If
elected he will call to his aid some of the purest
and ablest men in the country: he will give an
administration which for justice, goodness and
stability will compare well with the best that
has preceded 1T.
Job, tired of waiting for his ancestors to get
out of breath, exclaims: "Oh, that one would
hear me, and that mine enemy had written
book Well Mr. Blaine has written book-a
book in which he has discussed and reviewed.
incidentally at least, the fundamental principles
and practices the relations and the mission of our
government He has analysed and estimated,
criticised, commended or condemned the conduct
and the career of nearly all the men who have
been prominent for the last twenty-five years
The causes and the course of the war, the imme-
diate issues and the remoter consequence, he has
Judged and such work called for the most eX-
tensve and accurate knowledge, as well as for
the coolest and soundest judgment Men, if
they choose, can read the book in which the
man is mirrored, and see whose image and SUI
prescription this is They can recall the past
and reflect upon his sentences and opinions, and
see whether he holds just balance and afirms
righteous judgment. The result, think,
would be the utterance of less Phariseeism and
more truth. The Pharisee is not much better in
politics than in religion besides, Mr. Blaine has
written eulogy of the esteemed and lamented
President Garfield, with whom he was intimate,
the lines and see whether the coming President
has proper idea of the man who is to stand at
the head of the nation. Certainly we have the
means of fair and full estimate of Mr.. Blaine.
l beg to suggest whether every interest, private
or public, would not be better served by aban
doning attacks upon private character and mo-
tive and by seeking the truth, which profitable
70 pllide us