The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24
Blaine to Phelps.
AUGUSTA, September 6, 1884.


My Dear Mr., Phelps Il have your favor of
the 4th, advising me that the continuous in
vention and wide circulation OF evil reports
render II advisable lin 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 judg-
ment | rely concur. | shrink instinctively
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 ia concealed in this end
less tissue of falsehood. You can imagine how
inexpressibly painful it must be to discuss ones
domestic life in the press, although | think
with you that under the circumstances could
count upon the generosity OF the public to
justify statement which otherwise might
seem Objectionable. I can, in any event. safely
commit the facts to you for personal communi-
cation to those friends who have taken so deli
cate and so considerable an interest in my af-
fairs. The leisure hours OF to-day, when our
campaign is ended and we wait only for the
election, gives me the opportunity for this
prompt reply and for the following essential
details: At Georgetown, Kentucky, in the
spring OF 184S, when was but eighteen years
OF age first met the lady who, for more than
thirty-four years, has been my wife. Our ac-
quaintance 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
leave my profession in Kentucky and establish
myself elsewhere, | was suddenly summoned
to Pennsylvania by the death OF my father
1t being very doubtful il could return to Ken
lucky, was threatened with an indefinite sep
aration from her who possessed my entire de-
votion My one wish was to secure her to NY
self by an indssoluble tie against every possible
contingency in life and on the Both day of June,
1900, Just prior to my departure from KEN
lucky, we were in the presence of chosen and
trusted friends, united by what knew was, in
my native state of Pennsylvania, a perfectly
legal form OF marriage. On reaching home |
found that my family, and especially my be-
reaved mother, strongly discountenanced my
business plans, as involving too long q separa-
ton from home and kindred complied with
her wish that should resume, at least for time
my occupation in Kentucky, whittier returned
In the latter part OF August, During the ensuing
winter, induced by misgivings under new re-
onsibilities-misgivings which were increased
by legal consultations became alarmed lest
doubt might be thrown upon the validity of
our marriage by reason OF noncompliance with
the law OF the state where it had occurred for
had learned that the laws of Kentucky made
| license certified by the clerk of the county
court an indispensable requisite of legal mar
rage After much deliberation and with an
anxious desire to guard in the most effectual
manner against any possible embarrassment
resulting from our position, for which | alone
and at the same time surest way was to repair
to Pennsylvania and have another marriage
service performed. This was done, In the pres
ence Of Witnesses In the city Of Pittsburg, in
the month of March, 1851, but was not other
wise made public for obvious reasons It was
solemnized only to secure an indisputable va
lidity-the first marriage being by my wife and
myself always held sacred. At the mature age
of fifty-four do not defend the wisdom or pru-
dence OF a secret marriage, suggested by the
ardor and inexperience OF youth, but its honor
and purity were inviolate, as | believe in the
sight of God, and cannot be made to appear
otherwise by the wicked devices of men. 1t
brought to me a companonship which has
been my chief happiness from boyhood's years
to this hour and has crowned me with what
ever Of success | have attained in life. My
eldest child, son, was born in his grand
mothers house on the 18th day OF June, 1851,
in the city OF Augusta, Maine, and died in her
arms three years later. His ashes repose in the
cemetery 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
a candidate for the presidency knew that
should encounter many forms Of calumny and
personal defamation, but | confess that did
not expect to be called upon to defend the
name of beloved and honored wife, who is
mother and grandmother; nor did | expect
that the grave of my little child would be
cruelty desecrated. Against such gross forms
OF wrong the law gives no adequate redress,
and would that in the end my most effective
appeal against the unspeakabe outrages which
resist must be to the noble manhood and the
noble womanhood of America.
Your friend, very sincerely,
JAMES G. BLAINE.