The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-09-26
Blalne's Scandal,



William Walter Phelps concerning the
scandal connected with bis marriage.
1t was a private letter but Mr.. Phelps
has taken the responsibility of pub
fishing it. As it was undoubtedly
written for publication the "responsi-
bility" will not be heavy. After read
ing it, if any one eau inform us why a
secret marriage in Pennsylvania was
necessary in order to validate secret
marriage in Kentuckey, we shall be
pleased to hear from them. Here is
the letter winding up with fearful ap-
peal to the American heart.
AuGUsrA, Sept 6, 1Ss4.--My Dear
Mr.. Phelps. have your favor of
the 4th advising me that 'the con-
tnuous invention and wide circulation
of evil reports render it advisable in
your judgment not to wait the slow
process of the law but to speak direct
ly to the public in my own vindica-
ton" In this opinion many others on
whose judgment l rely concur. l
shrink instinctively from the sugges-
tion, although l feel sure / could
strengthen the confidence of all who
felt friendly to me by bringing to view
the simple thread of truth which is
concealed in this endless tissue of
falsehood. You can imagine how ex-
pressibly painful it must be to discuss
ones domestic life in the press, al
though l 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
80 considerate All interest in my affairs
The leisure hours of to-day, when our
campaign is ended and we wait only
for election, gives me opportunity for
this prompt reply and for the following
essential details
At Georgetown, Kentucky, in the
spring of 1S4s, when 1 was but eight
cen years of age, l first met the lady
who, for more than thirty-four years,
has been my wife. Our acquaintance
resulted at the end of six months in
an engagement, which, without the
prospect of speedy marriage, we nat
urally sought to keep it to ourselves.
Two years later, in the spring of 1850,
when l was maturing plans to leave
my profession in Kentcuky and estab-
lish myself elsewhere, I was suddenly
summoned to Pennsylvania by the
death Of my father. 1t being very
doubtful if I could return to Kentucky
| was threatened with an indefinite Sc.
paration from her who possessed my
entire devotion.
Ny one wish was to secure her to
myself by an indissoluble tie against
every possible contingency in life, and
on the 3Oth 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 Pennsylvania
perfectly legal form of marriage. Or
reaching home l found that my family
and especially my bereaved mother
strongly discountenanced my business
plans as involving too long separa
ton from home and kindred. l com
piled with her request that l should re
sumo at least for time my occupation
in Kentucky whittier returned in tn,
latter part of August.
During the ensuing winter, induced
by misgivings under new possibilities
misgivings which were increased by le
gal consultations, became alarmed
lest doubt might be thrown upon thu
validity of our marriage by reason o
non compliance with the law of tn,
state where it had occurred, for baC
learned that the laws of Kentuck,
made a license, certified by the clerl
of the county, an Indispensable requi
site of legal marriage After mucl
deliberation and with an anxious de
sire to guard in the most effectual man
ner against any possible embarrassment
resulting from our position, for whicl
/ alone was responsible, we decide,
that the simplest and at the same tim
surest way was to repair to Pennsylva
MIA and have another marriage servic
performed. This was done in the pres
ence of witnesses, in the city of Pitts
burg, in the month of March, 1851
but was not otherwise made public fo
obvious reasons. 1t was solemnize,
only to secure an indisputable validity
the first marriage being by my wifi
and myself always held sacred.
AT the mature age of forty-four I d
not defend the wisdom or prudence Q
a secret marriage suggested by the al
dor andinexperience of youth, but it
honor and its purity were inviolate, a
1 believe, in sight of God and canno
be made to appear otherwise by th
wicked devices of men. 1t brought I
me a companionship which has bee
! my chief happiness from boyhood
years TO this hour, and has crowne
with whatever of success / have a
tained in life. My eldest child, a sol
was born in his grandmother's hous
/, on the 18th day of June, 1851, in til
! city of Augusta, Maine, and died
; her arms three years later. His ash,
.. Irepose in the cemetery OF his nati'
city beneath stone which recorde
!. his name and the limits of his innocel
life. The stone which has stood fl
almost an entire generation has bee
, recently defaced by brutal and sacre
! gious hands.
As candidate for the presidency
: knew that ! should encounter MAJ
forms Of calumny and personal DEF
, nation, but / confess that did not c
. peot TO be called upon to defend t
: name of a beloved and honored Wi
! who is mother and a grsndmoth,
: nor did expect that the grave of n
. little child would be cruelty desecrate
!, Against such gross forms of wrong t
:, q law gives no adequate redress, and
. know that in the end my most effecti
- - appeal against the unspeakable o,
= rage which / resist must be to the mol
: manhood and noble womanhood
= America.
a Your friend, very sincerely,
=. (Signed) JAMES G.. BLAINE.