The Washington herald., 1909-05-05


into publicity a story of a fatal mistake
made by James G. Blaine In his response
to the famous Rum. Romanism. and Re
beHion- speech Of Rev. Dr. Burehard, to
which Mr. Blaine always attributed HE
defeat for the Presidency Of the United
States.
Fred Irland, one Of the official reporters
Of debates in the House Of Representa-
tives, who was associated with Mr.. De
vine fer years in reporting the proceed
ings Of the House, said last night that
Mr.. Devine had instrusted it TO him, with
the understanding that it would not be
printed uutn Mr. Defines death. manu-
script account Of some inside history con-
pected with James G. Blaine's response TO
Rev. Dr BurchaTd-
Mr. Irland said he was unable to lay
his hands on this manuscript at present.
but he had read IL over 50 many times
he was thoroughly familiar with Mr.
Devine's narrative. Mr.. Blaine" said
Mr. IrIand. always attributed his defeat
for the Presidency TO Dr. Burchards un-
fortunate speech and his reply to ii"
Could Have Avoided Mistake.
According TO the story. as contained in
the manuscript in my possession and told
70 me orally by Mr.. Devine. Mr BLAINE
declared to him that the unfortunate
b-eak would never have occurred had
8Ir Define been present when the dele.
gaticn. headed by Dr. Burchsrd. was re-
ceired
In the campaign Of 1854 wen Nr
Blaine was tie Republican can4sdsts fe7
the Presidency, he applied to the New
York Associated Press TO have afr De-
vine assigned TO report his speeches. For
many years the two men had been per
sona1 friends and Ny Blaine had every
confidence in Mr.. DeviRe.
During the campaign. whenever BIr.
Blaine was 70 receive a delegation 4 was
his habit 70 ascertail in advance from
the spokesman Of the delegation just
what was 70 be said. n order taat he
might make 9 fttlns reply, More fre-
CUently. howe :. il was Mr.. Devine 10
whom Mr Blaine intrusted this duty.
M Dsvine has told men there was no
public man who was as keenly alive 20
The Importance attached 20 the form u
which a news story was first presented
in a newspaper publication
On the morning the delegation headed
- r.
Mr. Devine was obliged 10 go 20 Brook
lyn 20 attend the funeral OF his wife's
father After the funeral, on returning
TO New York 20 joln Mr. Blaine al the
Fifth Avenue Hotel. AIr Devine saw an
account n the afternoon newspapers Of
D. BuTcharG's Rum. Romau:sm. and
Rebellion speech and Mr. Blaine's re
ply 10 Il, and realized instantly that Mr.
Blaine had made a fatal error.
Upon arriving a. the hotel, Mr.. Devlne
sought Mr Blei-e and asked him about
the speech. showing him the newspaper
account
7 don't know a thing about it said
8Ir Blaine Did he (Burchardl say
that:
Mr.. Blaine told Mr.. Devine OF how ne
had gone out on the landing OF the stair
way TO see the delegation OF ministers,
headed by Dr.. Rurchard. Or. Burchsrd,
50 AIr. Blaine told Mr. Devine, read his
speech in a sIng-song voice, and Mr..
Blaine. who was thinking OF what he
should say in reply, did not pay par
tlculsT attention 10 II.
Mr.. Blaine said also that he had been
50 admirably looked after Up TO that
time BY Gr. DeyiRe that It never occurred
10 him that he was likely 10 make e
fatal srror in agreeing TO what Or.
BUTchard had 10 say, and he had never
once heard the fatal expression OF DR..
BuFcbard until Mr.. Devine called his
attention 70 il in the newspapers. OF
course, Mr.. Devine,' said Air. Blaine, we
know what I would have sad had that
been called 20 ny attention
1T was SIR DeviRe's habit n the esm-
paign to pay strict attention 10 whatever
was sasd by the spokesman OF any 20
Hticsl delegation that called on MT
Blaine. and Il Nj, Blaine had not been
informed in advance OF what was 10 be
said by the spokesman, Mr.. Devine would
give him a shert synopsis Of it before Mr.
Blaine began his response. Mr, Blaine
always insisted that II Mr. Devine had
been xith him when Dr. Burchard spoke
Of rum, Romarism, and rebellion Mr.
Devine would have called Mr., Biaine's
attention 10 this phase, and would have
enabled Mr.. Blaine to repudiate the sehti-
ments expressed. and thus. as Mr. Blaine
believed. have saved him from defeat
BY Nj Cleveland.
Barn ia Ontario.
Mr.. DeviBe was about seventy years
OLD. He was born at ByetoEn. now OF
tava, in a house buiit on the spot on
which noE stands the Parliament Build
ing Of the Dominion Of Canada.
He vas one OF the most expert canoe
isis in Washington during his residence
here. and on several occasions ran the
rapids known as the Little Fars of the
Pstoraac. When ne ves twelve years old
he came across an edition Of Ben Pitt
mans Photography" and without any
teacher or standard OF comparison he
u1rked away at shorthand with this book
a. his only guide until he became remark
abiy proficient,
He vas seat te = Jesuit college IN To-
rsnto. with the intention Of having him
enter ths priesthood. One day during a
hght with a feiloE-student one Of the
teachers gt the college. VINO sought TO
s-o-rsnz.s ~ xs-- q k-.4-