Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-26


Blaine took prominent part. and the bill
was finally killed, on his motion to strike
out the enacting clause, which prevailed
by respectable majority, the representa-
tive of the Portland District voting against
the motion.
No man in Congress has been more de-
termined in his hostility to Reciprocity
Treaty with the British Provinces than
the lasting resentment of those Portland
advocates of the policy who find their or
gan in the Advertiser. Whether Mr..
Blaine exhibited wisdom" in opposing
Reciprocity Treaty, or whether he served
Ibis State and country" or whether he
"exerted any influence on the course of
legislation, by so doing, we leave the peo-
pie of Maine to say He certainly ex-
hibited success.
We do not however propose to give
complete abstract of Mr.. Blaine's career
in Congress His life there has been
busy and crowded one. He has not slept
on his post. and while it would make
long list, to give even an outline of the
measures on which he has exerted a
marked influence, we must be pardoned
for one more specific reference. During
the campaign of 1867 the country, especial
" the Western States, became greatly de-
moralized on the question of the green
back payment of the Public Debt. Under
the lead of Pendeton the democrats Sc
cured the legislature of Ohio and nearly
carried the Governor on this issue. The
republicans in many sections had loose no
| tons on the subject. and there was gen
eral ''letting down on the question when
Congress met in December.
The very first speech in either branch on
the subject was that delivered by Mr..
Blaine on the 10th of December, and his
argument was regarded as so exhaustive
and conclusive on the question that the
greenback heresy never could get strength
enough in the House to bring it to a test
vote The Advertiser intimates that Mr..
Blaine's speeches have generally been
made after the discussion on public ques-
tons had been advanced; on the contrary,
on almost all leading questions Mr..
Blaine has been among the first, and in
several instances the very first, to take
ground and lead his party.
After all, the real, essential, true charac
| ter of man is best known among his
friends and neighbors. 1t is here that Mr..
Blaine has lived nearly all the years of his
manhood, and here that his character his
talents. his honesty and his courtesy are
best known. Mr.. Blaine came to this city
in 1858, when in his twenty third year.
He came without fortune, with no capital
but the wealth of his intellect and culture
with resolute will, indomitable energy
and untiring industry, surrounded by no
adventurous aids of imposing family con-
nexions or troops of powerful friends; IL
stranger among strange people, he set
himself to work to earn bread for himself
and family, choosing a profession for
which time has proved he. had most emf
nent qualities, and has vindicated the wis
dom of that choice.
That American politics at that period
had become debauched by the influence
of the slayeocracy of the country is true,
but with that, the boy of twenty three is
hardly to be charged, and it is somewhat
creditable to his sagacity, wisdom and
principles, that from the time he first en-
tered upon his career as journalist to the
present hour, no word ever fell from his
pen, or was uttered by his lips that gave
sanction, approval, or countenance to the
infamous pretensions of the slave power
He at once with the boldness and enthu-
siasm of ingenious youth, allied himself
to the minority party of the country and
State, and giving it the full support of his
conceded ability, he contributed as much
as any man in Maine to the revolution
which overthrow the Democratic regime
and installed the Republican party in that
power which it has since retained. After
the accession of the Republicans to pow
er in the State, he disposed OF his interest
in the State Paper, not caring to retain it
even with its prospective pccuniary adj
vantages.
In 1858 he was unanimously elected by
the Republicans of the city of Augusta to
represent them in The State Legislature,
and of the wisdom of that selection to this
day they have had no cause to complain.
Serving them with ability and fidelity
he was repeatedly returned to the same
body, and in 1861 and 1862, was chosen
Speaker of the Horse, the duties of which
position were performed to the entire sat
isfaction of the constituent body.
In 1862 he was nominated by the Re
publcans of the third Congressional Dis
trict, to represent it in Congress. This
district has, less than any other district in
Maine been affected by the mutations of
State or National politics The region