Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-26

hundred thousand copies Of it were circu-
lated in the country.
These were not only the times OF war,
but in them the government had to be
adapted in its organic form and policy to
the new conditions of the country grow
ing out Of the rebellion and emancipation
of the slaves. In this work Mr.. Blaine
bore an important share. The thirteenth
amendment to the constitution abolishing
slavery was adopted in 1865. In 1866 the
fourteenth amendment was before Con-
gress. When it was under consideration
there was difficulty and division in regard
to that feature of it fixing the basis of rep
resentaton. An amendment offered by
Mr.. Blaine and accepted by the Recon-
struction Committee settled the trouble,
and is now a part of the amendment to
the Constitution. 1t aided in securing suf-
frage for the negroes and kept the repre-
sentation of New England in Congress
from being diminished. Mr. Blaine sup
ported it in a speech which was published
in all the republican papers in the country,
and it was one of the principal issues in
the Andy johnson campaign OF that year
At the opening ofthe session in Dec. 1866,
Mr.. Blaine made q speech declaring for
universal suffrage, the first in which that
subject was squarely presented to Con-
gress and suffrage for the negro demanded.
Farther on in the session he offered an
amendment to the bill presented by Thad-
deus Stevens placing the rebel States un-
der military government, which was also
widely known as the Blaine Amendment
After prolonged discussion this was adopt
ed, and is literally the fifth section of the
reconstruction act under which the rebel
States have been re-admitted to their for
mer privileges in Congress and the Union.
We speak OF these matters only to recall
to the minds of ,ur readers that Mr.. Blaine
took an active and distinguished part in
them, leaving his impress upon them, and
showing his capacity to grapple with the
highest questions of craftsmanship. 1t is
hardly becoming in democrats to enquire
what Mr.. Blaine has done in Congress,
when at this late day they are endorsing
the amendments to the Constitution which
he was Instrumental in shaping and carry
ing through as part Of the fundamental
law of the land.
| When Mr.. Colfax was elected Vice
President the question of new Speaker
in the House necessarily followed. There
were strong, able and deserving men can
didates for the position, but at last the
contest became narrowed down to Mr.
Blaine and Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts
Mr.. Dawes had seen more service in Con
gress, 'and stood in the front rank as {
legislator and man of sterling worth ane
integrity, but Mr.. Blaine was selected by
his colleagues over this formidable com
petitor to fill the Speakers chair. His ele
|, walton to the office gave general satisfac
a ton. The Springfield (Ohio) Republican
\ spoke of him as "true patriot, a pro
q "gressive statesman, man of uneXcep
"tionable personal habits, of strong char
q "acter, of keen, quick perception, of dig
Unity of demeanor and of power with hi.
"peers." The Washington Chronicle sal,
it could conceive of no man better "fit.et
ethan he to be the successor of Mr.. Col
"fax. Mr.. Blaine's general career in Con
"gress has been very active, honorable
"and distinguished" The Utica (New
York; Herald said: Mr. Blaine is man
"of superior ability and Of great vigor,
intellectually and physically. Quick and
"acute, a prompt analyzer, with IA ready
memory and pluck equal to any emer.
"gency, he is one of the most efficient
"presiding officers the house has ever had.
These were some of the testimonials tc
Mr.. Blaine's fitness for Speaker when he
was first elected to preside over the House
of Representatives in March 1869. At the
close of the Forty frstCongress, after he hat
discharged the duties of the Office one term
Hon. S. S. Cox of New York, the leader
of the democratic side of the House Offered
complimentary resolution and said: 81
''is because the Speaker has been kind
"gcntle, prompt, able, and honorable, ant
"has won our universal respect by con
"tributing to the effusion of goodwill and
"the Punishment of bitterness that l have
sheen delegated on this side to offer this
resolution" Although an active parti-
Fan in political campaigns, his opponents
in the House admit that his rulings have
been impartial and fair. We regret
to say there are democrats in Maine who
have nothing but detraction for Mr.. Blaine,
but in Congress they know better, and
give him the credit due him.
In March 1871 Mr.. Blaine was re-elect-
ed Speaker by the unanimous vote of the
republicans. Thus for two terms Maine
has been honored through him with the
third Office in rank in the government. In
holding this place he has brought dis
tinction and influence to the State. Nc
member of any State upon the floor,