The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1912-01-23
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Reconciliation of General Grant
and James G. Blaine.
How the TWO Great Men, Estraneed
for Several Years, Became
Friends Again Through the
Efforts of EIkins.
BY e. J. EDWARDS.


recently told in this column the
story of the manner in which General
Grant and James G. Blaine met at the
Long Branch railway station at the
time of the funeral of President Gar
field, rode in the same carriage to the
house of national mourning, were
seated almost side by side at the fu-
neral and yet absolutely ignored tho
presence each of the other. There was
not the slightest sign OF recognition
or even the most formal or cold court
esy exchanged between them.
Only few of the politicians of tho
eighties knew that General Grant and
James G. Blaine had by tacit under
standing agreed absolutely to ignore
the presence Of each other whenever
they CHANGED to meet. To these know
ing ones the presumption was that
the breaking of all relations between
the two men was due to the fact that
the friends Of Blaine prevented the
I third presidential nomination OF
Grant at Chicago in 1880 and the
| friends of Grant prevented the nomi-
nation Of Blaine at the time. The es-
arrangement of the two men at the
complete that no one thought of a
| reconciliation between them.
Yet less than two years later these
| two distinguished Republicans were
brought together and spent an hour or
more in resuming the cordial relations
which had existed between them when
James G.. Blaine was speaker of the
house, Of representatives and Ulysses
S. Grant was president of the United
States. l am sure that the story of
this reconciliation and the manner in
which it was brought about have never
been publicly told: in fact, very few Of
the intimate friends Of either Grant or
Blaine knew. until after Grants
death. in 1885. that cordial relations
had been re-established.
Stephen B. Elkins Of West Virginia,
! who recently died while a member of
the United States Senate, was one OF
the very few prominent Republicans
who maintained a close personal init
macy with both Grant and Blaine
during the period of their personal es-
arrangement. Mr.. Elkins used some
times to say to his friends that moth
ing was a source of greater sorrow to
him than the fact that these two warm
friends of hts had become absolutely
alienated.
Some time in the latter part of the
I year 1882, or it may have been early
in 1883, Mr. Elkins became persuaded
that both Grant and Blaine would be
glad If a way could be found by which
they could be brought into pleasant
relations once more. Mr. Elkins said
to a member of General Garfeld's off,
cial family:
Il am sure that General Grant
would rejoice If he could make it up
with Blaine. and l am certain that
Blaine has grieved greatly over the
misunderstanding which has interrupt
ed the friendship long maintained with
Grant. l am going to bring those two
men together, although l don't know
exactly how to do it,"
why don't you invite them to dine
with you?" Elkins was asked
\ mo, that wouldn't do" was the re-
ply. Each man would suspect that
the other had put me up to that.
think there is a little pride that
stands in the way Of their reconcilia-
tion."
A few days later Mr.. Elkins said
that he had given the matter much
thought and he was satisfied that the
only way to bring about the reconciiia-
tion was to cause Blaine and Grant
to meet as though by pure chance. II
was evident to Elkins' confidant that
Elkins was planning already what
would appear to be an accidental, un
expected meeting between Grant and
Blaine. A day or two later Mr. Ell.
kins appeared before his confidant
again, and he was as radiant as q
child.
II am the happiest man in Wash
ington," he cried. Il left Grant and
} Blaine yesterday afternoon sitting
side by side. engaged lin the mos,
kindly and familiar conversation. You
know, Grant came to Washington q
few days ago. You may know that
Blaine for some time now has been
OCCuplSQ VIII 6cttlu6 lOSclneT ND
terial for the book which he intends
{ to write, a sort of Renaissance of his
life as a member of congress. Those
two incidents-Grant's arrival ant
: Blaine's book-gave me the hint TO.
the meeting"
, Elkins was asked how he accom-
plished the meeting so that neithe,
Blaine nor Grant would be suspicious
! Of his Intervention. t.
mo, no, shall never tell that
those two men must never suspec
that they met except by accident" Ell
kins declared with great positiveness
If should tell it to one person how
they met should be likely to tell 4
to another, and that would spoil thu
incident"
And so far as l know Elkins neve
told to anyone how he brought abou
the meeting between Blaine ant
Grant-a meeting that resulted in per
feet reconciliation. SO that from tina
| dav forth until the death Of Genera