North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-10-07
NJ q jor General Blair.

Mr.. David G. Croly, the author of
Champaign Lives of Seymour and Blair"
in drawing to conclusion his rapid sketch
of the life of Major General Frank =.
Blair. presents the following summary of
hi. traits as revealed in his public and
private life
Since the war, besides exerting himself
professionally, Gen. Blair has labored
with fine effect as speaker for the Con-
servatiye cause. His efforts have extended
through several States, especially in Con-
necticut, where first set in the reaction
which is now sweeping over the country.
Having always had clear purpose in
his fighting, he maintained it in its unity
to the end, and in the prosecution of the
plans of peace. The object was the sup
preston of the rebellion, simply and
solely. The extinguishment of States, the
degradation of the white below the black
race, the supremacy of military over civil
power, have received no countcnance from
him. Resuming with r;pened and ex-
banded convictions his position as states
man, and adding to it the record second
to none, of eminent military qualities, he
has labored with voice and pen as siren
uously as he 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.
Believing in the negro's ri ht to be free.
he helped give him his freedom. Nothing
less would suffice nothin. more was re-
quired. Devoted to the Union, zeal and
intolerance never tided him over into dis
union in the name of Union. He has
never prostituted the name of liberty into
tyranny, the name Of loyalty into proscrip-
ton of the white race, the name of anti
slavery into the enormities of negro SUI
premacy. The issues of the war unac-
complished, made him a Radical The
issues of the war finally accomplished,
left him a Conservative.
To speak Of his magnanimity, bravery
and popularity would only repeat the
record Of his 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. lie was never defeated. Successive
promotion in rank and power flowed il
on him. lie gave to each advanced re-
sponsibility more brilliant discharge
than the preceding one. No fraud taints
his hands. No tyranny stamps his record
In war he was relentless, sleepless
E always victorious enemy: in peace he ha
proved thorough, all-forgetting, wholly
trusting, ma.nanimous friend. His recore
, is rs consistent as it is patriotic. Thos'
, whom he regards as Northern rebels now
he opposes with as much fire and force a
he did Southern rebels in the past
His address is singularly popular ant
unaffected. lie is accessible to the humt
f lest, and serene among the highest. Iii
, personal power almost amounts to mag
: netism. lie can mold men to the purpos
t he wishes. Not reticent, he is yet pru
c dent. Empbatieally, he possesses tina
f equilibrium of all the faculties known o
G common sense.
n Ovh;v .l;Es, L-,.-J4nao almost n romance
saving it to the Union the hero Of tw
q wars; a business man of the highest in
te ,y of mind and temperance Of habit
d an or tor of great ability; statesman {
rare faculty and foresight; a man of il
), domitable will his traits are positive
&c the highest degree. In greatness,
J. clearness, in pureness, in combativencs
in craftsmanship, he is veritable Andre
n jackson. We have given his recor
J Further to reason from it would be supe
10 orog ,tion. The country knows him, an
u above all, his comrades in arms revere a,
re love him.