Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-21
VARYING OPINIONS OF SPEAKER
BLAINE H5E

AHc HUI SpccCH Va opcdhef Dlstiuc ~
Saratoga has drawn the attention of thu
press of the whole country. But we only
propose at this time to compare the esti
mate OF the Speaker and his remarks al
made by the Portland Argus with the
notices he received in two of the leading
papers of New York. The Argus claim.
to be very fair in its remarks, and to speak
with more authority and knowledge be-
cause some years since it formed an opin-
ion, while he was editing this and a
neighboring paper that he was shallow
in attachments and not over third rate in
point of ability" Now let our readers
judge how fair it is by its own remarks, and
then notice how widely the opinion formed
several years ago differs from that OF the
leading papers of New York now. The
heading of its article is Speaker Blaine's
Splosh, " and from it we take the follow
ing: e 1su
We have never intended to treat Mr.. Blaine,
now speaker of the House of Representatives,
unfairly and have never doffe SO to our knowl-
edge. Having had opportunity to judge
pretty thoroughly OF his mental caliber and
characteristics while he edited the Advertiser
in this city and the Journal in Augusta we
have never been able TO regard him otherwise
than as shallow in attainments and not over
third rate in point of ability, though possess
ing large degree of what may be called
smartness he passes very currently among
intelligent people for a second rate man. Pc.
litically speaking we deem him utterly desti-
tute of principle and equally unscrupulous
as to the means he employs to secure his
ends. - OK
~ But the weakest public effort which Mr..
Blaine has ever been guilty of was his Sara
toga serenade speech. 1t was announced all
over the country, and was telegraphed with
equal care to the same wide extent. The New
York radical hucksters at Saratoga fancied
that they were to find a great man in the
Speaker and to get great speech from him.
What must have been their disappointment
1t contains not new idea, and even the story
he told was old, and had been rehearsed at
the republican State convention in this city a
few weeks since.
That is what the Argus calls fair, and
this is its judgement founded upon pre-
vious acquaintance with Speaker Blaine.
There are many however. who are wick
eddy inclined to believe that the Argus is
influenced even to this late day by the
smart of old wounds made by the Speak.
er's sharp pen when he was an editor,
which sting afresh whenever his name is
mentioned. Now notice what the New
York Tribune says:
Mr. Blaine, Speaker OF the House of Rep
resentatives, occupies such prominent po-
sition in the nation that any formal public
remark of his is worthy Of attention. But
yesterday, be made at Saratoga, a speech of
no great length, in which he managed to re-
view the few chief topics of public discussion
in q manner which cannot but challenge adj
miration. The contrast between republican
management in the nation and democratic
Encouragement in the metropolis of the ma
ton was sharply drawn; and Mr.. Blaine's
conclusion that Tammany's spOils and South
ern disorders are expected to combine to car
ry the next Presidential election for the DEM
ocrats is forcible and just.
We shall copy but one more of the
many notices mentioning with approval
the speech OF Mr., Blaine. That is from
the New York Evening Post, paper
often quoted approvingly by democrats,
whose specially is ''free trade,'' and never
suspected of any partially for Mr.. Blaine:
Mr. James G, Blaine, Speaker OF the Ma
uohsi House of Representatives, was seren-
aaed az saratosa yesterday. and made polit-
icai speech to large assembly. Mr.. Blaine
Is one OF the ablest and most active leaders
IN the republican party; and many OF his
friends expect to see him in still higher posi-
ton than be has yet reached. Whatever he
says therefore, Is sure Of an attentive hear
ing from republicans. ETu IF"
His speech contained nothing new ,,nsn
national politics. He claimed, in general.
for the present administration, in its aims and
work, the unqualified approval Of the country.
Many Republicans will be disappointed that
Mr.. Blaine did not go further, and distinctly
advocate before the people the reforms Of
which, In Congress, he has been regarded as
a jealous friend. The war and reconstr Ictio n
have passed out of politics; no party which
does net accept their results can stand before
the people. The Republican party must now
take the lead In financial and administrative
reforms IL it il hereafter to lead at ALL
But Mr.. BIaine's silence on these subjects
is easily understood. He was speaking to
citizens of New York; men who have before