The New York herald., 1870-08-03

OLD MAN BLAIR.
Interview with the Sage Of
- Silver Springs.
His Views ON Home and
Foreign Affairs.
~->-4>.,~-->->---.~---.
TRB EUROPEAN WAR RATHER BEWlLDRRING
FF.I ~~ro~~s~,.,~<,.~~e>~-~-~
,,s Possibilities of a New Coalition
ssg,an Against Napoleon.
tgf 1B
Chances for the Democratic Party
10 gdaI IIII .I ...f
n i.l al Home.
lie Thinks Chief JuSire Chase an Available
Presidential Candidate.
MAsnAaroN. Luly a0. ls7O

of "old man Blar,n the sage of Silver Springs,
whose homestead is situate only six or seven
miles from the national capital. But how few
people really know the venerable gentleman
how few can even distinguish him by sight from
the thousands who daily ride and drive on the
Seventh Fourteenth street roads who pro-
menade stately Pennsylvania avenue ) Old
Blair, who has filed such vast space in the
unwritten history of the republic; who has been
the power behind the throne during many ad-
Iunistrations commencing with that OF Old
Hickory and ending tshall say it y with that of
the lamented "Old Abe - he whose voice and
pen have been so potent in shaping the policy of
conventions aud congresses; he who was the
trusted friend OF the indomitable Jackson, and
whose counsel eagerly sought by Lincoln in
, his most difficult siraits-ths venerable states
man and journalist is little known personally to
che latest generation of politicians, little by
Pc the modern hd6tfnRts of Washington aud little
bothered By the correspondents OF interviewers OF
She present day.
Which latter reflection came to me yesterday and
suggested the idea THAT il was strange indeed that
the "old man" had not been victimized before by
the modern interviewer. Here is an old states
man" thought l. within seven miles OF the HERAL LID
Burean whose views public topics have not
been ventilated for many years. An old states
man too whose life has been full of interest--one
who, though ripe in years, still retains complete
possession of all his tacuties--whoso intellect is
vigorous ever, and whose memory may sup
ply many little historical facts that may prove Of
rare interest TO the reader. Why not interview
him then?'' And clearly there was good
EOn why he should not be interviewed, and there
fore il was that resolved to harness up my horse
and pay the ~ father of them ali' and the
aoblest Roman of them all, an early morning visit
Accordingly at eleven o'clock this forenoon [
started my interviewing mission, driving out
the Fourteenth street road past Piney Branch
Race Course and through Brigbtwood into Mont
gomery county. Maryland short distance
beyond Brightwood~ probably a milethe estate
of MIR. Blair is stnated, pretty large estate
too, hut showing no very great attempt at arti-
Goial adornment. The entrance is barred by
large, old fashioned country gate, fastened in
quaint style, aud requiring some considerable
stndy on the part Of verdant traveller TO undo.
Succeeding, after some dozen or more efforts,
IN making the gate swing open, gently led my
horse and buggy inside, fastened the gate
more, and then leisurely drove along very mar
row road in the direction Of what seemed to be
the Blair mansion. There air OF nature
about the little road shaded, as IL was, by
overhanging trees that made it preferable to the
most deliberately arranged drive contrved by the
hand and taste OF man. The grounds to the right
and left displayed the same absence of artistic
horticulture, apparently rejecting the habits and
tastes of the simple, plain, transformations old
gentleman to whom they belonged. And yet
there WAS a substantial look about every
thing, abundance in nature, that also
fiHy represented the solid old proprietor
whose mind had always been a storehouse OF use
full facts, light fancy intellectual rubbish finding
very scant room in his capacious brain.
few minutes slow driving brought me to The
end Of the winding road, which terminated III
pretty lawn iu front Of the Blair mansion, plain
looking, snug old-fashioned ediice, which bore
the same characteristic as everything else had
yet seen--that is 10 say, utility and comfort.
rather than showiness.
In reply to the question "Is Mr.. Blair, Sr.. at
home ?' | was told mo-" the old gentleman had
just gone out for walk with his SON
After seven miles drive in a hot sun, for the
special purpose of having talk with the old
gentleman, this reply was remarkably cheering,
aud was debating mentally whether to await the
return of the destined victim or to 20 back to
town and make venture some other day by
special appointment, when lady appeared and
politely remarked that Mr.. Blair had only gone
over to his sons residence, short distance of.
where ] could find him.
The lady volunteered further to act as guide
part of the way, and led the way along shady
walk TO the celebrated silver spring, after which
the Blsirs' place of residence is named The
spring IL perhaps the finest for miles around, and
is allowed 90 he used freely by the people in the
vicinity. Its waters are cool refreshing and
heaithini, as found by quafing two OF three cups
Drumming full.
MONTGOMERY BLAiss REsIpEscK
and estate lie close by those of bis venerable
father Crossing pretty rustic bridge, ] was
soon within the limits Of Judge Blair's desmesne,
and fw minutes walk brought me face to face
with the new residence / say new, because 'du
ring the rebellion, when Early madeihis raid Dto
Maryland, Montgomery BIair's old residence was
burnt TO the ground retaliation for the destrnc.
fion OF Letchsr's house IN Virginia. Montgomery
Blair was thei member of Lincoln'sa Cabinet
The rebels also visited old man Blair'S' house,
but were prevented from injuring it by the, timely
arrival of Breckenridge. The latter had spent
some of his tappest hours in the old
homestead, and would not suffer any
of The men to cut so much splinter
from il. The present house is a solid brick struc.
1ure, very cspacious. and surrounded by beautiful
grounds.
TBE INTERVIEW.
Ringing the bell and presenting my card tostbe
~rvant who answered. was the next moment
c xhered into the presence Of the venerable Blair.
4 " old gentleman was reclining on lounge, but
TO- @ 10 receive me. and welcomed me with the old
GOT uhern cordialty.
Al Yer the usual observations about the weather,
the s SvsDtasas OF cool csaptsy All aud tho heapties