The New York herald., 1873-08-23
FRANCIS P. BLAIR, sR.
An Aristocracy of Bankers and
Corporation Mobiles.
Aspirations Of the Martyr
President.
by THAT SIN FELL THE ANGELS"
Thoughts Of Francis p. Blair, sr.

An hours ride over dirt road brought me to
the suburbs OF the district Just beyond is the
estate Of the venerable Francis p. Blair with the
musical name Of Silver Springs to make the locality
more attractive. The driver of the vehicle said he
had been driving to this place for twenty years,
and knew every nook and corner OF this part OF old
Maryland. Passing leisurely up the circuitcus road
leading to the mansion, the prominent part the
Blair family had played on the political stage in
Washington was the subject Of rejection. The
elder Blair is now
EIGHTY.FIvE YEARS OF AGE,
and in many respects one OF the most remarkable
men Of the time. politician, who dates his career
far back as 1872, knows something of the insttu
lions Of his country particularly in the OF the
elder Blair, the father Of Montgomery and Frank,
whose man strength was in his control OF the
leading organ OF the democracy here for many
years. know Of but one man living whose memory
reaches over so active career that of Mr.. Blair
and that is old Duff Green. Blair was Jackson's
confidential adviser and held the esteem Of the
President. continuing to enjoy friendly relations
with successive administrations until Polk came
In, when Mr.. Blair retired to his pleasant farm
constantly visited by his old democratic allies.
Even during Lincoln's and Johnson's terms the
Blair family were in the ascendency, but
WITH THE ELECTION OF GRANT AND COLFAx
came the defeat Of General Frank Blair, and there
period marks the full stop Of the family so far as
intimacy and influence with the reigning admins
tration concerned The carriage halted in front
of an ancient brick structure, with broad
nagways and a granite porch of no mean
proportions. The coored servant received my
card and a moment after 1 was seated in
front of the Sage of Silver Springs who put
inside his book removed his spectacles and ex-
tended his long, bOny hand, shriveled with age
and almost lifeless. The reception room bore
traces OF the old days Of democracy, Old HickOrys
portrait dividing honor with his democratic
peer, Thomas Jefferson; but, somehow, failed
to discover the face Of Andy Johnson. The
eye OF Mr. Blair still holds its lustre, while
his gaunt figure and 1urrOwed features perpetu-
ally remind you of his old age. His hearing,
too, is somewhat bad, and it was with no little
effort that discovered the right pitch OF voice to
carry on conversation. His answers seemed
more like whisperings from the tomb Of the past
than the audible sounds of living man whose
memory is still as vigorous as it was thirty years
ago. Having explained the purpose Of my visit,
led OF as foilows:-
CORRESPONDENTS have called, Mr. Blair, at the
request OF Mr.. Bennett, to talk over the political
situation, and to learn from you what your views
are on
THE TENDENCIES OF THE TINE.
Mr. BLAIR-You are welcome. you will be
patient with me- as ain very old and cannot talk
ss fast as you stenographers write, will be glad
to converse ON the subject. Ny mind acts slowly.
CONSEQUENTLY you get the HERALD, and
what do you think OF its articles on Casarism?
Mr. BLAIR cannot read much, but see the
HERALD occasionally, and have noticed the warm
agitation that Is going on about third term for
General Grant. 1t struck me at first the agitation
or discussion of the subject was unnecessary, but
don't know it VIII do any harm. What brought 1t
sboutP
CORRESPONDENCE. Bennett, who Is an acute
thinker and always on the alert Tor topic OF ma
tiOnal interest first developed the subject several
weeks ago, and that he has not mistaken the SEN
timent of the people of the country the notice
taken OF the subject and the concentrations from
all but the administration journals show that he
was right. At least that appreciation is given to
the HERALps course
Mr.. BLAIR-I do not quite understand you. You
say the HERALD Is commended for its sagacity in
this respect
CoRREsPoNpENr-ny you should read the editorial
comments OF the old democratic papers through
out the country you would come to the same con-
ClusiOn, think.
CORREspoNDENr-They ridcule the idea Of any
thing IKE rs ed ever e e't thr eGn
Mr.. BLA1R-Now get the idea. The republicans
mistake In my Judgment the character of the
American people have S no t doubt Grant era S;n would
else to do. But things have come to a pretty pass
man is to be perpetuated in ONCE merely @ to
the White House; By and by 6y Vim ten tel
General Tny Grants 'n'c career w as s' President
read the other day the platform adopted at the
on sen on 5hs ss Of
30 much to crafty me as the tenor OF the resolu.
lions adopted on that occasion They brought brought
ii these principles are adopted by the democracy all
over the country three years hence will find the
give battle to the ruling army Of republican poll.
.tcans The good old days OF Jenerson's adminis-
tratOn were revived IN my memory, ana IL seemed
LONG HIDDEN ROOTS
Embedded in his time were sprouting iortn. ana
party now twelve years in power, has become
arrogant. Its basis Is not principle. Wealth, cor
the national banking system, speculation aud greed
Tor money as well as office are all that are lelt oI
that party. 1t has grown up like h0thouse plant,
richly manured, but possessing no inherent vitality.
His
A SORT OF FUNGI
on the body polite OF our country. You know
what the tate OF such growth as this must be.
CORRESPONDENCE that is where the HERALD
mas taken hold OF the subject. Do these monop-
osts these directors OF our banking system, our
stock brokers and heavy importers want TO have
legislation Affecting their interests and thousand
and one other things Do you suppose they want
radical or even slight change in the admins
Mr.. BLAIR see you mean that money can still
keep this party in power and retain Grant at It's
head. WE'LL now let us talk about Grant and the
third term 1t will 1T here. I never underesti-
mated the man. He has great deal more talent
than he gets credit for. He Is endowed with
THAT UNKNOWN QUANTITY CALLED COMMON SENSE.
He is very quick in hts perceptions good Judge of
men, as well as horses, looks at circumstances
weighs everything carefully, and when his mind Is
once confirmed In his deductions hc acts as deci-
sively and successfully as any man ever knew in
ali nv long experience among public men. He is
superior to his party--much better than his party
An every respect Now do not remember OF ever
having heard In my journalistic DAYS OF third
term movement; but know that
MR.. LINCOLN WANTED A THIRD TERM
Shortly after his reelection the subject was quietly
talked over among his most intimate iriends MRS.
Lincoln relished the idea spoke OF 1t frequently 70
those she thought she could conhae ~, anu