The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-22
The Attempt to XIII Mr.. Blaine.

CHARLES JULES Gu1TEAu went to work
With no more murdcrous purpose than AMI
mates the men who seek a victim in the
Secretary OF State.
Mr.. BIAINE's present condition Is no mys-
terry to those who know his mental idtosyn->
Grassy. He Ia self-torturer in all that con-
Germs his physical health. This does not
mean that he Is a coward. or oven hyDo-
chondriac in tho ordinary sense OF the term.
But he belongs to a class OF beings, distinct
and well recognized. in which the pathologic
Imagination is developed to IN uncomfort-
able and often n dangerous degree. Hc Is
sensitive In the extreme to what he believes
to be the disinterested opinion OF others
respecting his physical condition. This cir
cumstance is neither to his credit nor his
dscredit; 1t Is simply factor in Mr..
BnAINE's individuality.
Every physician knows that in tho reaction
OF mental impressions and approximations
upon actual physical health. general intclli-
gence, or even exceptional robustness OF in
tellect, Is no barrier to the mischief that
may be wrought. Often the danger Is great
est where the intelligence is most acute, and
the imagination the most active. There are
cases and there are times when an incau-
tiously expressed opinion, mistaken dag
nosis thoughtlcssly communicated, may
amount to a sentence Of death.
For fifteen years Mr.. BLA1NE's remark
able mind has been subjected not merely to
the strain OF continuous work OF an exacting
though not necessarily exhausting charac-
ter. but also to the wear and tear OF such IN
alienation OF high emotions, OF passionate
hopes. terrible disappontments. feverish re-
sentiments and tantalizing halt-realizations
as can perhaps DO paralleled by the expe-
rience OF no other man now on earth. For
the past two or three years, as every gen.
orous reader will remember with sincere
sympathy and regret. he has encoun-
tered a succession OF domestic afflic-
tions almost stunning to nature
OF the senslbili,y Of his. There has
been no lack OF manhood in Mr.. BLA1NEs
attitude under those repeated strokes OF mis-
fortune. heavy enough and frequent enough
to have broken an ordinary constitution to
pieces. But Ia there any wonder that a time
comes when the danger signals begin to
appear In certain physical symptoms? Or
is 1t strange that Mr.. BLAINE and those
solicitous for tho usefulness Of the next
fifteen years OF his life should reach the
conclusion that the Secretary needs rest,
freedom from worry, careful attention, and
0 fair chance to recuperate?
This is precisely the time chosen for tho
Incredibly malignant and brutal conspiracy
to drive JAMES G.. BLAINE into premature
grave by exhibiting him to himself as man
doomed to death. We say conspiracy, be-
cause there is every indication OF concerted
action on the part Of the inventors OF
hA horuo {ntor1,iayra tho foh,ioof0ro ~
the lying medical reports from Bar
Harbor. Boston, and Washington. the
artists whose pencils are set to the
task Of representing the Secretary OF State
in tho last stages OF emaciation and Inn
pending dissolution, the editors who have
already ordered his coffin and are shedding
crocodile tears over 1t. One day it is acute
nervous prostration. another day it is pa
resis, another day it is Bright's disease,
another day 1t Is paralysis-any malady
known to the Psychologists is good enough
malady for tho use OF tho assassins, pro-
vidlng 1t is swift and hopeless.
Tho history OF American polItics-:ve are
constrained to add, the history Of American
journalism-records nothing comparable to
the bounding OF the foremost statesman of
the Republican party by Democrats and Re-
publicans in concert. What influence is be-
hind 1t we do not know. Certainly not BEN
JAMIN HARRISON. as is here and there inti-
mated. The President may have as much
reason to fear Mr.. BLAINE for the future as
he has to be grateful to him for the past, but
Gen. HARRISON is not tho man to carry on,
directly or by proxy, a preliminary CAM
paign for tho Presidential nomination by
methods fit only for CHARLES JULES GU1-
TkAU or the New York World