The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-03-02
BIaine's Side OF the Story OF His
sons Marriage.

Secretary Blaine published letter Mon
day under the caption Of "A personal explain
alton" in which be tells the true story of
his son Jimmie's unfortunate marriage.
Since The separation of my son and his
wife three and half years ago, my family
have silently borne every misrepresentation,
every slsnderous attack, every newspaper
interview which il has pleased The nov di-
vofced vile to inspire. The one person aim
ed at has been Mrs. Blaine, and we have per
haps been at fault in allowing the horror of
the public discussion ofpriysie matters, CON-
bined with q regard for the future Of ny
grandson, to permit 50 much ealumny o. 20
unanswered. The last outrage of the kind,
embodied in the desision Of the judge at
Deadwood. Dakota, assumes an official char
ac,er which makes il impossible TO remain
longer silent
To remain silent would be 10 accept and
perpetuate a great wrong to my wife-a
greater wrong 70 my grandson than even a
publication Of the truth can iniict upon
him."
A letter written by the Secretary. upon
learning of bis sons marriage, to the priest
who performed the marriage ceremony. fol-
lows. In il he says; Ny son was born
October y, 1865. and is not therefore Is years
old.
A week ago M boy was under my
protection-the most helpless, the least
responsible member ef my family erratic,
but controllable through his strong
affections an object Of constant Eatchful-
ness to his parents his brothers and his sis
ters. 3 source of constant anxiety bat not OF
despair, because he is of good abilities, as
readily influenced to the right as to the
wrong, and because the patience of love
can never know weariness. To day. through
your agency, this boy in years, in expert
ence, in judgment, in practical capacity
leaves my home and my care burdened
with the full responsibilities Of a man, with
the welfare OF a woman in his keeping.
am powerless. cannot question the
legality Of the marriage I shall at dis
tance, and az every disadvantage, endeayol
to guide MY son. But as a father, living
ing under the divine influence of the fami-
Is, as a citizen, living under the divine order
OF society. protest against your act. As 8
seryanto Of God, to whose ministry you are
ordained. call God TO witness between you
and me. OF whatever evils resulting from
this deplorable marriage my son may be the
author or the victim, the guilt be on you
head. JAN Is G. BLAISE."
When I wrote this letter / believed thai
Miss Nevins had no other responsibility il
the marriage than in consenting TO my sons
appeal, and was blameworthy for this alone,
Since then l am prepared to say that the
marriage was arranged by her far more
than By my son that she did every
thing 10 promote it-suggested every ar
raneement. anticipated and provided for
every emergency, and that, in fact, but fol
her personal, active and untiring agency the
marriage would have never taken place"
The Secretary then goes on TO show from
letters written by the younger Mrs. Blaine
how his son had been entrapped into Sc
cret marriage with what kindness his brid,
had afterwards been received under the pa
ternal roof, and how she bad subsequently
left during the absence Of her husband, and
without rhyme or reason. The letter con
cludes
Far be it from me to hold my son blame
less: though when his youth, his uncom
pleied education, his separation from th'
influences Of home, the exchange of lif'
full Of hopes and an,icipations for prema
ture csres and uncongenisl companionship
are considered, l hold him more sinnec
against than SHINING. But his mother at nc
time. in thought OF word or deed, attempted
TO separate this man and his wife. Ga the
contrary, she did not fail by liberality, by
consideration and by extenuatiOn, to fostel
in every practicable way their happiness
if happiness to them had been pOssibl',."