The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-09-25
BLAINE WRITES A LETTER
Explaining Why Two Marriage
Ceremonies Were Performed.
New York telegram


Hon. William Walter Phelps takes the
responsibility of giving to the public the
following private letter addressed TO him
nearly two weeks ago:
AUGUSTA, Me-, Sept. g.
MY DEAR Mr.. PHELPS: / have your favor of
the 4th advising me that "the continuous inyen-
ton and wide circulation OF evil reports render
IL advisable Tin your Judgment not TO wait the
slow process OF the law, but TO speak directly TO
the public in my own vindication." In this
opinion many Others on whose judgment rely
concur.
shrink instinctively from the suggestion, al
though feel sure i could strengthen the conf
dence of all who feel friendly To me by bringing
To view the simple thread OF truth which Is con-
cealed In the endless tissues OF falschood. You
can imagine how inexpressibly painful IL must
be TO discuss ones domestic lite In the PRESS al
though think with you that under tho circum-
stances could count upon the generosity of the
public TO Justify q statement which otherwise
might seem Objectionable. j can, In any event.
safely commit the facts TO you for personal COM
munication TO those 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 tor the election, gives
me the opportunity for this prompt reply and
for the following essential details.
At Georgetown, KY, in the spring Of 1s+s,
when was but Is years of age. first met the
lady who for more tIan thirty -four years has
been my WIFE Our acquaintance resulted at
the end OF six months In an engagement. which,
without the prospect or speedy marriage. we
years later. in the spring OF 1850, when i was
maturing plans TO leave my profession in Ken
lucky and establish myself elsewhere. / was
suddenly summoned to Pennsylvania by the
death of my father. It being very doubtful II
i could return TO Kentucky, i was threatened
with an indefinite separation from her who
possessed my entire devotion. My one wish
was TO secure her TO myself by an indissoluble
tie against every possible contingency In life,
and ON the 30th day Of June, 1850, just prior TO
my departure from Kentucky. we were, in the
presence of chosen and trusted friends, united
by what knew was in my native State OF Penn
sylvania perfectly legal form OF marriage.
On reaching home 1 found that my family,
and especially my bereaved mother, strongly
discountenanced my business plans as involv-
ing too long separation from home and KIN
dred. / complied with her wish that should
resume, at least for q time, my occupation IN
Kentucky, whittier returned in The latter part
OF August
During the ensuing winter. induced by mis-
givings, which were increased by legal CONSUL
tations. became alarmed lest a doubt might be
thrown upon the validity of our marriage by
reason of non compliance with the law OF the
state where IL had occurred, for / had learned
that the laws of keutucy made license certl-
fled by the Clerk of the County Court an indis-
pensable requisite of les marriage After
much elaboration, and with an anxious
desire TO guard in the most effectual man
ner against any embarrassment resulting
from our position-for which i alone was
responsible-we decided that the simplest and
at the same time the surest way was TO repair 70
Pennsylvania and have another marriage service
performed. This was done in the presence OF
witnesses in the city of Pittsburgh, in the month
OF March, 1851, but was not otherwise made pub
lie, for obvious reasons. IL solemniZed only
TO secure an indisp utabe validity-the first mar
rage being by myself and my wife always held
sacred 1.-THE mature age of 81 do not defend
the wisdom prudence of secret marriage,
suggested by the ardor and the inexperience or
youth; but its honor and its purity were invfo-
late as l believe, in the sight Of God, and can
not be made 10 appear otherwise by the wicked
devices of men, 1t brought TO mea companion
ship which has been my chief happiness from
boyhood's years to this hour, and has crowned
me with whatever success | have attained in life.
NV eldest child. a son, was born IN his grand
mothers house on the 18th day of June, 1851, in
the city of Augusta, Me-, and died in her arms
three years later. His ashes repose in the GEM
etery of his native city. beneath a stone which
recorded his name and the limits of his innocent
life. That stone, which had stood for almost an
entire generation, has been recently defaced by
brutal and sacrilegious hands.
As candidate for the Presidency knew that
should encounter many forms of calumny and
personal defamation but i confess that did
not expect TO be called upon to defend the name
of a beloved and honored wife, who Is mother
and "a grandmother: nor did / expect that the
grave of my little child would be cruelty desc
Grated
Against such gross forms of wrong the law
gives no adequate redress, and know that in
the end my most effective appeal against the
unspeakable outrages which resist must be to
the noble manhood and noble womanhood OF
America. Your friend very sincerely,
JAMES q. BLAINE.