Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1884 — THE MADIGAN CIRCULAR. [ARTICLE]

THE MADIGAN CIRCULAR.

Ex -Cot. Flabted, of Maloo, Say* that He Saw Mr. Blaine Write It. The Argue has the word of ex-Gov. Harris M. Plaisted, es Maine, that, to his personal knowledge, James G. Blame is the author of the circular inserted within this article. The circular was employed in the 1875 political campaign by the Republican State Committee of Maine, and of that committee Mr. Blaine was then the Chairman. It was used in the Fourth Congressional Distnot of that State, and thousands on thousands of copies of it were sent to voters, under the orders and by the hand of James G. -Blaine. Tnis is the circular: Do the Protestant Democrats of the Fourth District de-ire to he represented in Oonrreee by a Homan Catholic? James C. Madiyau, the Democratic candidate for Co agree* in the tomth District, is a vary le&lous Homan Catboiio. it is believed by many that he is a lay member of the secret Order of Jesuits, just as the late Sena.or C&sserly, of CalliOrala, was. (Jasserly was sisoted to the Senate by Jesuit money—*loo,tM) contributed by tuat Order—and the fact being discovered, Casserly at once resigned his seat, rather than stand an investigation, and thus expose the workings of the Orusr. in Oh.e and other States the Catholics are striving to destroy the only svenue ot education left open to the children of the poor, 'ihoy say, “We will have church schools instead," aad thus let loose the worst of theological quarrels all over the land. It Is a great gain to toe Catholics to get these prominent men in Congress. They have now four members of the United States Senate, one eaoh from tue States of New 1 ork, Missouri, Virginia, and Florida. The whole energy of the cathode Churoh is now exerted to increase its power in the Congress of the United States, The Papists everywhere are notching the result of Madlgan’s campaign in this district, and it will be bailed everywhere as a great triumph for the Catholics if a New England Protestant dlstriot sends a Roman Catholic to represeqf it in Congress. Are the Protestant Democrats of the Fourth Dlstriot willing to aid in building up the Heman hierarchy? Answer at the polls on the k3th of September, and if you do not tool willing to vote for Gen. Plaisted, at least out Madlgan’s name off your regular Democratic ticket. Remember that you owe more to religious sentiments than you do to your party; and the proper rebuke to your party lor asking you to vote for a Homan Catholic is to support Gen. Connor for Governor and Gen. Pi a, a ted lor Congress. Pkothstawt Dkmocbat. This circular, written by Mr. Blaine, and Bigned in a deceiving and untrue manner, according to ex-Gov. Plaisted', was issued against Mr. James C. Mndigan, the Democratic candidate for Congress in that district. He was American born of Irish parents, a respected lawyer and citizen. His religion was Catholic. The candidate opposing him was Hon.‘Harris M. Plaisted, already referred to. The appeal made to prejudice in the circular elected Plaisted and defeated Madigan. It will be recalled that Mr. Plaisted afterward left the Republican party, and in 1880 became the Governor of Maine, elected on a fusion ticket. He everywhere bears the reputation of a truthful man. He says that Blaine wrote the circular, and that he saw him do it. Mr. Blaine has made no denial of the allegation. It will be impossible for him to deny that he franked thousands of copies of the circular to voters, for they reoeived them, and many of his franked envelopes are preserved. —Albany Argus.