Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1884 — Bruising A Serpent’s Head. [ARTICLE]

Bruising A Serpent’s Head.

Tlie Slanderous Sentinel Sued ftr Libel On August -Sth a half column editorial was published in the Indianapolis Sentinel, under the heading “Can Blaine Afford it?”, and in it Mr. Blaine’s marital relations were reflected, upon in the most 'atrociously slanderous manner. A copy of the article was sent to Mr. Blaine who, forthwith sent the following characteristic telegram to Col. W. R. Holloway: Bar Harbor, Me., August 14. — Colonel W. R. Holloway: I have this moment received the atrocious libel of the Indianapolis Sentinel. The story is utterly and abominably false in every statement and in every implication. Political slanders I do not stop to notice, but this editor assails the honor of my wife and children. I desire you, without an hour’s delay, to employ the proper attorney, and have the responsible publisher of the Sentinel sued for libel in the United Sates District Court of Indiana. It is my only remedy, and I am sure that honorable Democrats, alike with honorable will "justify me in defending the honor of my family, if.need be, with my lite. James G. Blaine. The more libellous portion of the Sentinel’s article will be found in the following extract: There is hardly an intelligent man in the country who has not heard that James G. Blaine be trayed the girl whdni he married, and then only married at the muzzle of a shot gun. If Mr. Blaine was the scoundrel to betray an innocent girl; if after despoiling her he was the craven to refuse her legal redress, giving legitimacy to her child, until a loaded shot-gun stimulated his conscience then there is a blot on his private charactsr..more foul, if possible, than any of the countless stories on his political record. The matter was placed in the hands of tho law firm of which Senator Harrison is a member, and suit for $50,000 against John C. Shoemaker and the Sentinel Co. has been begun in the federal

court under the common law, that being the only way that Mr. Blaine, as a n.on-resident of the state, can institute libel proceedings. The case will be pushed to trial as soOn as possible, but if the Sentinel men avail themselves of every opportunity possible for procrastination it is doubtful if the case can be tried before November Such Slanderous Creatures Should Rooted out of Journalism. Chicago News, (Dem.) We hope the Indianapolis Sentinel will be compelled to pay dearly for its hideous vilification of Mrs. Blaine. It would seem to be dirty enough work to drag political candidates through the mire, without besmearing the wives of candidates with the filth and offal of slander. Admitting the truth ol the preposterous charges preferred by the Indianapolis Sentinel against Mr. and Mrs. Blaine, we can conceive of nothing justifying their publication at this or any other time. A man who would publish such charges against a wife and mother is by instinct a coward and by profession a liar, and such charges preferred bv such a person carry upon their very face convincing proof of their malicious falsity. If then) is no way of rooting such creatures out of the journalistic profession, we should encourage every means whereby they can be made as bankrupt financially as they are morally bankrupt. We are glad Mr. Blaine has instituted legal proceedings against the ilndiamtpolis Wanderers, and we hope they will be made to disgorge.