Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-12
FRANK p. BLAIR.
Brief Memoir of His Career.

Mr.. David G. Croly, the author of
Campaign Lives of Seymour and
Blair" in drawing to conclusion his
rapid sketch of the life of Msi.-Gen.
Frank P. Blair, presents the following
summary of his traits as revealed in his
public and private life.
Since the war, besides exeTting him
self professionally, Gen. Blair has labor
ed with fine effect as speaker for the
Conservative cause. His efforts have
extended through several States, especi-
ally in Connecticut, where first set in the
reaction which is now sweeping over the
country.
Having always had q clear purpose in
his fighting, he maintained it in his unity
to the end, and in the prosecution of the
plans Of peace. The object was the sup.
preston of the rebellion, simply end
solely. The eXtinguishment of States,
the degradation of the while below the
black race, the supremacy OF military
over civil power, have received no coun-
tenance from him. Resuming with ri
pended and expanded convictions his
position as statesman, and adding to 1t
the record second to none, of eminent
military qualities, he has lab0red with
vOice and pen as strenuously as ne did
with the sword to realize in peace the
benefits he felt forced to seek by war.
So orderly has been his mind, that he
has always known where to stop. Be
lieving in the negro's right to be free, he
helped give him his freedom. Nothing
less would suffice; nothing more was II
guired. Devoted to the Union, zeal and
intolerance never tided him over into
disunion in the name Of Union. He has
never prOstituted the name of liberty
into tyranny, the name OF loyalty into
prescription of the white race, the name
of anti-slaveTy into the enoTmities of ne
gro supremacy. The issues of the war
unaccOmplished, made him O Radical. |
The issues of the war finally accom-
plished, left him Conservative.
To speak of his magnanimity, brave
~ and popularity would only repeat the
record of mis- soldierly career. Sherman
kept him closer to him than his own
shadow during all the war, and always
had him for his second in command. His
officers loved him his men wOrshipped |
him. He was never defeated. Success
sive promotions in rank and power |
flowed In On him. He gave to each adj |
vsnced responsibility more brilliant |
discharge than the preceding one. No !
stamps his record.
In war he was q relentless, sleepless, !
always victorious eEemy. In peace he |
has; proved q thorough, all-forgetting, |
whelly-trusting, magnanimOus friend. |
His record is as consistent IS 1t is pa |
triotic. Those whom he regards as |
Northern rebels now, he opposes with |
as much fire and force as he did South
ern rebels in the past.
His address is singularly popular and |
unaffected. He is accessible to the hum
blest and serene among the highest. His |
personal power almost amounts to mag
netism. He can mold men to the pur-
pose he wishes. Not retioent, he is vet
prudent. Emphaticaly, he possesses
that equilibrium of All the faculties
known as common sense.
HIS life has been almost a romance.
Converting State to freedom, and then
savingit to the Union; the hero Of two
wars, and deservediy eminent in both
a business man of the highest integrity
of mind and temperance of habit; an
orator Of great ability; statesman of
rare faculty and foresight a man OF
indOmitabie will his traits are all posi-
tive to the highest degree. In greatness,
in clearness, in pureness, in c0mbative-
ness in craftsmanship, he is q Veritable
Andrew Jackson. We have given his
record. Further to reason from it would
be supererogation. The country knows
him, and above all, his comrades in
arms revere and love him.