New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-20
MIR. BLAINES MARRIAGE.
THE PLAIN. STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY.

THE PLAIN, STRAIGHTFORWARD STORY.
MARRIED PRIVATELY N KENTUCKY N JUNE, 1880
WHY a SECOND CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED
William Walter Phelps takes the responsibility
of giving to the public the following private letter
addressed to HIM nearly two weeks ago:
AUGUSTA, Sept. g. 1854.
Ny DEAR Mr.. PHELPS: have your favor OF the
4th. advising me that " the continuous invention
and wide circulation of evil reports render IT adj
visable I'm your Judgment not 10 wait the slow pro
cess of the law but to speak directly to the puhhc
in my own yindcation.' In this opinion many
others on whose Judgment rely concur.
shrink instInctivey from the suggestion, al
though feel sure could strengthen the confidence
of all who feel friendly to by bringing to view
the simple thread of truth hich is concealed IN
tins endless tissue of falsehood. You can imagine
how inexpresslbly painful it must be to discuss
ones domestic life in the press. although
I think with You that under the circumstances
could count upon the generosity of the public
to Justify a statement which otherwise might seem
Objectionable | can. in any event safely commit
the facts to you for personal communication to
those friends who have taken so delicate and 50
considergto an interest IN my affairs. The leisure
hours of to-day. when our campaign Is ended ana
we want only for the election give me the OPP
portunity for this prompt reply and for the follow
ing essential details.
At Georgetown Kentucky, in the spring of 1918
when | was but eighteen years of age, first met
the lady " no for more than thrty-four years mas
been my wife. Our acquaintance resulted. at the
end Of six months in an engagement, which, with
Dut the prospect Of speedy marriage we naturally
sought 10 keep TO ourselves. Two years later ~
fhe spring of 1880 when was maturing plans 10
leave my profession in Kentucky aud establish my
self elsewhere / suddenly summoned 10
Pennsylvania by the death of M father IL being
very doubtful If could return TO kcn'uckv was
Threatened with an indefinite separation from her
who possessed my entire devotion. Nv one wish
was to secure her to myself by an mdissoluble me
against every possible contingency III llie and
Oh the 3Oth day of June. 1880 just prior o. my de-
parture from Kentucky, we were, IN the prese ce of
chosen and trusted friends united by what knew
was III NY native State of Pennsylvania. per-
Iectly legal form Of marriage.
On reaching home l found that my family and
Especially my bcreaved mother strongly dl,coun-
tenanced my business plans, as involving olonGa
PREPARATION from home and kindied. compiled
with her wish that J shOu 4 resume. at least for
Time my occupation IN Kentucky, whittier Ie-
turned IN the latter part of August.
During the ensuing winter Induced by mlsgly-
jngs under new responsible ltles-mlS1lVmgs winch
were increased by legal consul atoms became
alarmed est doubt might be thrown upon the
phance with the law of the state where n mad
occurred; for had learned that the laws OF hru-
lucky made a license certified hv he Clerk OF the
County Court an indispensable requisite ol legal
marriage. After much dcNbcIatOn and with an
anxious desire 10 gudId IN the most eiiec.ual man
ner against any posslbie embarrassment resulting
from our pos ti0n-tOr which | alone was r"spou-
sible-we dccdcd that the simplest and ct the same
time the Surc>t was 10 repair 10 lcuu~N wanna |
and have auoj her marriage service performed ll~
was done I'M he presence OF witnesses, IN Inc /
CITY of Pltshurg the month of March. 1901. but
not otherwise made pub lc Tor obvious re- l.ons.
II was sO.emulzcd on y to secure an WdIsuutablc /
vahditv-tnc first IN rriagc beng 10y my VIE and /
myself always held sacred. AZ me mature age OBJ /
ffty-iouT do not defend the wisdom or prudence !
of secret marriage suggested by The ardor aud IN"
inexpcricpcc of youth but IFS honor and its purlt
were Inylolate as believe lu the Sight OF COD, ana
devices of men. II brought e. me 60 panionShlp |
which has been nv chief happiness from boyuood |
wear, 10 this hour aud has crowned me with what |
ever of success have attained M life.
My eldest child. SON born IN his grand !
mother, house on the 18th day of june ISL. DID |
the CITY of Augusta. Maine, and Dyed lu /
her arms three years later. Ills ashes re1o~e /
in the cemetery o. ms native city, beneath stone
which recorded his name aud thr limits OF us ll- /
nOcent life. That stone. which hao stood Tor di- J
most an entire generation. has been recently de- /
faced bv brutal and sacrllempus hand.
As "a candidate for the Presidency knew mat ] /
should encounter many forms OF caIunuY and per /
snual def imation but ! confess that dld not cX-
loved and hOnorcd wife. Who D.. mother ana /
grandmother nor dld expect that the grave of /
Inv ittfc child would bee crucly decorated.
Against such gross forms of wrong ihr law give" /
no adequate redress, and know that M thr end my |
most effective appeal n.r the nnspe4kable out
RACES whcI ! resist must Dee 90 the noble manhoou /
and the noble wOmanhoOd of America.
Your friend, very sincerely. JANE q. BLAINE