Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-09-11
What Morrill, Thought Of Blaine,

The New York Herald Of recent date
contained the following dispatch from
Augusta, Me-:
The late Senator Lot NJ. Morrill,, Of
Maine, represented the purest and best
methods in politics, as his successor,
James G. Blaine, represents the worst.
The clear facts of Blaine's ten years
leadership of the party in Maine leaves
no doubt on that point. When Senator
Morrill, resigned the senatorship to ac-
cept the treasury portfolio under Grant.
as will be remembered, Mr.. Blaine was
appointed his successor. Senator Nor
rill died here eighteen months ago His
widow, who is the daughter of the late
Mr.. Vance, who in his day was one Of
the most prominent citizens of this sec
ton. lives in pleasant home on Win
throp street, this city. She is lady evil
IDENTIFY of great force of character. and
was the valued associate, confdant and
helpmate of her distinguished husband,
both in the executive mansion of this
State and during the many years of his
residence at Washington as Senator and
secretary of the treasury.
Mrs. Morrill, was recently surprised to
receive from Ohio an official letter di-
rected to her late husband. Opening it,
she found it TO be very importunate
appeal to Senator Morrill, to visit Ohio
and to lend his aid in saving the State to
Mr.. Blaine. Mrs Morrill, turned the sheet
over and wrote on its back an indignant
reply, and mailed it forthwith to the
gentlemen who had signed the appeal.
The Herald correspondent called on
Mrs Morrill, at her residence this evening.
Sheis still indeep mourning, and consented
to receive the visit with great reluctance,
but she said that the exigency created by
Mr.. Blaines nomination is so important
that she was convinced all private feel
ings should be subordinate to it. As her
husband had been one of the most dis
tinguished, loyal, and upright members
of the Republican party, as he had as
sisted In its formation, had been one of
its first governors elected in this State
and held its traditions and its principles
faithfully until his last conscious mo-
ment, she knew that if alive to-day he
would feel that it was disgraced by the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine as its candidate
for President, and that it had let 60 Of
all that made its existence necessary to
the country
When Garfield was NOMINATED, =
said Mrs. Morrill,, she said to me sadly
and seriously. Ny dear, the Republican
candidate will be elected this time; but,
unless new methods are used in the par
ty and new and better men become its
leaders, he will be the last one. You
will live to see Democrat elected four
years hence; will not My husband, ?
continued Mrs Morrill,, 'sdied Of his de-
votion to the party of which he thus so
sadly spoke. 1t is unquestioned that
the breaking down Of his health dated
from his, perhaps too faithful perform
ance of his duties in the treasury depart
ment "
To question of the Herald correspon-
dent as to the Ohio letter Mrs. Morrill,
said:
"Some six weeks ago I received let
ter from Columbus, Ohio, on a sheet
with printed head representing some po-
htlcal organization. | was so surprised
and indignant at its contents that I did
not particularly notice whether it was
from State committee, a county com
mittee, or some political club but it was
signed by Mr.. Brown, as chairman,
and Mr.. Ogden as secretary 1t was,
as well as I can remember it, about as
follows:
Senator Lot JL Morrill,
DEAR SIR: The situation in Ohio is a criti-
cal one. The party is in trouble on account
of the attacks on Mr.. Blaine as the candidate
Of
pure and upright statesman, and coming
from Blaine's own State, You could refute
the charges as no one else can. We hope you
viii come to us in this emergency, and make
as many speeches as possible
''I was indignant and amazed that
any Republican should be ignorant that
my husband was dead. was more in
dignant that he should be asked to assist
in making Mr.. Blaine President. / at
once sat down and wrote on the back of
the sheet this reply, as near as I can re-
member it. | am now sorry that | did
not keep copies of both the letter and Of
my answer:
To Broscn, Chairman Columbus, Ohio.
6 4 am surprised and shocked to receive
such communication. thought every citi-
zen of this country knew my husband was at
rest | am in mourning for him, bat as much
as mourn his death, thank my Father in
Heaven that He called him home before the
party he loved so well and did 50 much for
had SO disgraced itself as to nominate so
wicked and corrupt man for the highest Of
flee within the gift of the American people, as
know and my husband knew james G. Blaine
to be- If he were alive he would not support
Mr. Blaine or any such man, even at the bid
ding of his party.
&C CHARLOTTE MORRILL,
t'My husband, 7 continued Mrs. Nor
rill, sswas visited by Mr. Blaine at the
congressional investigation into the Lit
tie Rock railroad bonds. Mr.. Blaine.
as he did to Nulligan, importuned my
husband with tears and entreaties to use
his influence to save him. When my
husband resigned to go into the cabinet
it was generally understood, and my hus-
band SO understood, that Governor Cham
berlain would be appointed to fill the
vacancy. Instead, and to the surprise of
every one, Governor Connor appointed
Mr.. Blaine, then Representative in
Congress and under charges in that body,
to the vacancy"
As Mrs. Morrill, intimated, the appoint
ment of Mr.. Blaine to the vacancy was
evidently to save him from further inves-
tigation and the inevitable discriminating
verdict of the committee. Governor
Connor had his reward. He is now pen
sion agent for this State. the best Office
next to the collectorship.