The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-01-02
RLAINKs InrrER.

4AAANA > AEAAG AGks
The following is the letter Of Blaine's
in which he backs square down and out
Of the libel suit against the indianapolis
Sentinel:
WASHINGTON, Dee. 10, 1884.
10 Messrs Harrison, Miller i Elba,
Counseloraat Law-Gentlemen When
1 requested you in August last TO bring
suit against the publishers of the In
dianapolis Sentinel, for libel, I did 20 in
the belief that tho wrong done me by
that paper, being entirely of personal
and domestic character, could be fairly
tried, without undue influence from
political considerations. I confess I
was profoundly amazed to find the mat
ter At once taken up and the libel re-
produced with al possible exaggeration
in every Democratic paper in Indiana.
Except from three members of tho
Democratic party of that State, | never
heard that = word of dissent or disap-
proval was spoken, while g great many
&c the Democratic speakers repeated the
libel from every stump in Indiana with
vitupsrativs rancor, with gihe and ribald
lest. Il vas thus made, 80 far as any
matter Of the kind. can Be made, an
issue in "A exciting political campaign,
and the Democrats of that State were
thoroughly poisoned in their minds in
regard 20 the question to Be decided at
law. Under such conditions it is simp-
" impossible that I can have a fair
trial or that I can expect any other
result than that which invariably at-
tends politiosl libel suit growing out
Of an exciting campaign in the country.
If were unfair enough TO desire = jury
composed of my own partisans, | could
not have it. 1 properly constituted
jury In Indiana would be composed Of
members Of both political parties in
about equal proportions. When | vis-
tied Indiana in October was repeated
~ advised that six Democrats could
net be found in the Stale who, in q
political snis, would give verdict
against their leading party organ. This
did not necessarily convey an imputa-
tion upon their parsonal integrity a.
citizens, but simply that the binding
Of party prsiudice would utterly pre-
vent an impartial consideration Of the
evidence submitted. I am perfectly
able to 6ght the SsRtiael newspaper in
an Indiana Court, but I would stand
no chance whatever against the con-
solidatsd venom Of the Democratic par
ty of the State. With these surround
ings and with this prospect, 1t Is idle
for me 70 go through the trouble and
annoyance of q trial. The questions
propounded By the bill Of discovery
have already been substantially ano
fully answered By me, and I am willing
to leave my written statement and
answers under cath to the judgment
of the public. I do not choose to have
the case indirectly concluded By q
technicalisy or suffered to tlie in silence
prefer to make this frank and open
statsment Of the reason which has in-
duced me to believe that the prosecu-
ton of the case would be utterly fruit
less Very respectfully,
JAMES G.. BLAINE.
This is the suit a. the beginning oi
which Mr. Blains declared bis purpose
to dsfenl the honor Of his family, il
nsel BE-, with his life. Now, how dif-
fsrtns the toas of this letter from that
Of last August. Now,ws suppose that,
as he has discovered that thoss"bloody,
incorrigible Democrats of Indiana viii
not do him Justice, he will now offer up
his life as 4 sacrifice in defense Of the
home of his family By lighting a"jewel
with Mr.. Shoemaker. Bat fo- the
common honor of .hs country we hope
We bare heard tas last of this matter.
Dir. Blaine made \ great mistake in
bringing it up by msking taia viciou
attack upon the common honesty Of
the Democratic party of Indiana.