The Washington critic., 1888-07-07
lNGBRsoLL AND BLAINE.
How the Falling Out Arose Between
These Old Original Friends.


How the Falling Out Arose Between
These Old Original Friends.
Says Washington special to the New
York Star! 1t has been known for some
time that 1ngersoll and Blaine no longer
speak as they pass by. Many causes have
been given for the rupture, but until
lately the true reason has been known
only to few. A wellknown Senator,
and an old friend of Ingersoll related it
to-day as he had heard IL from Mrs. Inger-
soil. These are her words.
~ have often told Colonel Ingersoll
during the past three years that there was
just one thing that / regretted more than
all Others in his political career, and that
was the magnificent speech he delivered
for Mr. Blaine at Cincinnati when he
placed him in nomination, and when he
used those memorable phrases, The past
rises before me like dream The plumed
knight and other expressions you are as
familiar with as ] am, no doubt. There
is no man living who is dearer friend
and more enthusiastic friend than
Colonel Ingersoll. His friendship for
those he admires is unbounded and pro-
verbal. He loved Mr.. Blaine as he did
brother, and his enthusiasm for him and
his confidence in him led me to be as
strong Blaine woman as he was q
Blaine man.
~ fairly awakened him at night when
he was preparing his nomination speech
and made suggestions to him TO be used
in his eulogy. Mr.. Blaine was defeated,
of course, and Mr.. Hayes was nominated.
We retained our admiration and friend
ship for Mr.. Blaine until Mr.. Garfield
went into the White House in March,
1881. During the campaign which ended
in the election of General Garfield, Col
onel 1ngersoll did everything he could 10
bring about success for the Republican
ticket.
"You remember there were great
posters made and circulated all over the
country on which were extracts from
Colonel Ingersolps Speech placing in
nomination Mr.. Blaine, and Mr.. Garfield
was held up as the ideal friend of the
Plumed knight. Colonel in1gersoll de,
politician. Naturally, when General
Garfield went into the White House we
presumed that he had, at least, the
respect of the President, and that he
would have some influence with him.
Colonel 1ngersoll never wanted Federal
office. His ambition lies in other direc-
tions. There is not single position
within the gift of the President he would
have now or ever would have had. He
would rather be what he is than be Presi-
dent, because he would not be able to
reward his friends, if he were IN power,
to the extent that he would desire,
and, as a consequence, he would
be miserable. The Colonel was
among the first 10 call upon President
Garfield, and to congratulate him not only
upon hls success, but upon the organiza-
pleased with the selection of Mr.. Blaine
to be Secretary of State. He thought his
Plumed Knight would make grand
premier of the Cabinet. Days finally
slipped into weeks, and the weeks finally
made two or three months after President
Garfield went into the White House.
'The Colonel discovered along about
this time that his receptions at the White
House were growing cold, and at times
he was compelled to wait in the recep-
tion-room with the masses of people who
had no other than trivial political or
social business with the President. We
talked the matter over, and told the
Colonel that the trouble came from Mr..
Blaine. He would not believe it, but
said be would 60 and see Mr.. Blaine. He
,, called upon him at his residence or his
private office in the Department Of State,
and while he could discover that there
was o change in the man, so far as his
personal attitude toward him was con-
cerned, Mr.. Blaine patted him on the
back, smiled blandly into his eyes and
assured him that he was the same dear
and true friend that he always was, and
that he would make him all right at the
White House. Instead of matters get
| ting better at the White House they grew
worse. Now discovered the secret.
| "My personal relations with Mrs. Blaine
had, up to the time of Mr.. Blaine's induc-
| ton into the Cabinet, been such as to
lead me to eXpect-not that | especially
| desired ito be received into full mem
bership of the Cabinet society. / remem-
bered all at once that there had been
numerous receptions and dinners given
| by people connected with the Cabinet and
| that / had not received invitations to
them. / told the Colonel that Mrs. Blaine
was at the bottom of all the difficulty. 1t
was but few days until my suspicious
were confirmed, and instantly said that
did not want to associate with any of
the lot, and from that moment have cut
the hypocritical crowd, / never said q
word or did an act except in friendship
respecting Mrs. Blaine, Mrs, Garfield, or
either of their husbands, and am sure
that the same is true of Colonel Ingersoll
Now you know why we were opposed tC
| Mr.. Blaine in Chicago in 1884, while We
were for him in Cincinnati in 1876"
at has been suggested and believe it.
that one thing which largely influenced
Colonel Ingersoll to work for Judge
Gresham at Chicago last week was tht
fact that the Judge was an ardent frienC
of Mr.. Conkling, and has no patience
with Mr.. Blaine. While Colonel Inger
soil is man of as little prejudice as any
one can think of there is no doubt il
my mind that the sympathies and dis
likes of man like Judge Gresham woulc
have an influence upon Colonel Ingersol
when they run into such sympathetica
channels as they do. There are many
reasons personal to Colonel 1ngersol
which argue in favor Of his alliance with
| Judge Gresham"