Evening journal., 1889-10-28
ONE CENT.
THE FLORENCE LETTER.
Alleged Reasons Why Mr.
Blaine Declined in 1883.
A CASE or LIFE OR DEATH.

The Worlds Alleged Revelation Of
Great State secret-Mr. Blaine Had an
Attack of Paresis and Was Forced to-
Decline.
NEw YoRK, Oct. 2s.-The Worlds special
from Florence, Italy, says: "For nearly two
years James 9. Blaine has endured misrepre-
sentation and abuse for suddenly Fajecting
presidential nomination which, at last, was
absolutely in his own hands He has kept
SILENT he has striven to envelope in mystery
his reasons for wr iting the Florence letter.
The truth should be known. 1t does not re-
fleet upon Mr. Blaine 1t commands for
him. on the contrary, the apologies Of his
querulous friends and the sympathies of his
political opponents. The facts herein seq
forth belong TO the history Of American
politics. Not by any means all the occur
renees Of that sad winter in Mr.. Blaine's life
are presented because there is no wish to
add TO the sorrows of its recollection.
A stroke of Paralysis.
''Mr. Blaine had stroke Of paralysis
brought on by chill caught in the st. Got
hard tunnel Mr. Blaine was Frustrated at
Milan for twenty-four days. With his con- I
yalescenee appeared most Distressing type
Of melancholia which fully developed after (
he reached Florence During this last stage
Of his long and pitiful illness, acting on the
advice of a conscientious physician, Mr.
Blaine wrote the letter Of Jan. 25, 1888,
withdrawing his name from the list Of presi-
dental candidates.
Would Have Cost Him His Life.
The article goes on to say that DIR Bald
win, the physician who attended Mr.. Blaine
during his last illness says that MIR Blaine
wrote the letter Of declination at his urgent
advice; thatit was a matter of life and death
with him. The doctor says: II will never
tell what was the matter with Mr. Blaine,
further than TO say that his trouble was func-
tional not apopectic But il was grave-of
the utmost gravity Fer him to have gone
into the excitement of a summer and fall
campaign such as would have followed his
nomination would have cost him his life. l.
am certain of that It is matter as far re-
moved from the realm Of doubt as we are,
from Madison square,
Alleged Mysterious Conduct.
Mr. Blaine stopped at the Hotel de Flor
ence, ut Washington, no one was allowed &c
see him but bis physician, and Mr. Blaine
p
He then went 70 Milan where even more
seclusion was praetised and Mr.. Crane the
American consul, even did not know Mr.
Blaine had been there until after his de-
parture. He stopped at Milan twenty-four
days. lie looked very in.
IL Was Paresis.
DR.. Georgia Fornona attended him. This
gentleman states. as The Worlds story re-
lates, that Mr.. Blaine suffered from a severe
attack Of paresis, mot exactly paralysis,
but closely allied 70 it--a mild form, per-
haps would describe IT,
strict Secrecy Enjoined.
Madam Blaine followed me into the hall
] told her that | thought immediate danger
was past, and repeated some Of the direc-
tions before given The lady then said.
You must not mention the name Of your
patient 10 anybody How can l. madam,
when ! do not know itF / replied Then She
told me that the sick man was James G.
Blaine Of the United States, and / instantly
knew who he wasn
"How did you find him next morninggn
ellis condition was not much changed, save
that there was a little more color in his face.
His temperature was slightly better also.
He again made efforts to speak and uttered
cultural sounds. He took broths and beef
tea, which had been prepared. He remained
there about a week
Dependent and HypochondriacaI.
The doctor then states that his patient
became very despondent mentally and was
absolutely hypochondracal The patient
again and again bemoaned the fact that his
political career was ended. and one after
noon he announced that he should cable his
friends that he was hopeessly sick The
physician dissuaded him stating that his ill
ness was but temporary, and that he was in
no state Of mind to take such important ac-
ton. Mr.. Blaine became childish and imag-
ined he could no longer correctly write his
name. He finally recovered and went back
to Florence a comparatively well man, the
doctor thinks.
"Did he have a relapse at Florencef
81 know not. If he had a return Of the
melancholia it would account for his letter.
TO my mind. Mental treatment was what
most relied on In his case. Medicines weren't
OF much value.n
The Letter Written.
AT Florence weeks were passed, and there
so The World alleges during a relapse the
famous Florence letter was written.