The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-10
SKETCH OF GENERAL nLArn.

souri,. and there he early became prominent IN pol
itics under the leadership OF Mr.. Benton. In ls45
he maze journey to the Rocky Mountains on ac-
count OF impaired health. and was in New Mexico
when the war between the United States ana
Mexico broke out. EnlisIlng as a private he
served for some time in that struggle; but
IN 1s47 he returned TO ST. Louis and re-
sumed the practice OF his profession, thar
OF the law. His political associa tons failed
TO make him pro-sayery democrat, and In 1S4S
be attached himself e. the free sou branch OF the
democratic party. supporting Mr.. Van Buren, Tor
the Presidency against General Cass, the regular
candidate. From this time forward he was an
outspoken opponent Of the extension or slavery
into the Territories, botn ON the stump and in his
newspaper the Missouri Democrat, OF which for
time he was the editor. In 1852, and again IN 1854
he was elected member OF the missouri Legt5-
latu.ei anu VS. Tue nIst man III bnat oouy 70 llls
up us voice against the peculiar institution OF the
South and OF ms State. lie was nrst elected
to Congress Ia 1856 as republican, and
While In Congress he steadily continued
his battle against slavery, calling it ''tne
blot in the character OF the United States.r lie
was the author OF a plan OF compensated emancl-
patton, which he elaborated IN speech IN the
House in 1855. ana whca eclted the warmess
thanks OF men like GerrItt smith and TReo-
dore Parker, aud received the sanction
OF political leaders like Trumoull Wade
ana Lincoln. This plan was to concentrate ana
colonize the black population then IN servitude
In some suitable place in the south, and thus
But the South regarded the suggestion without
favor, and the whole question was finally deter
mined ny resort TO arms and the ArDltrament or
War.
General Blair finished his last term IN the House
oil Representatives Ia 1852 but he did not await
the termination Of bis civil duties 70 begin MS
military career. Indeed, he anticipated the
emergency BY secretly enrolling regiment in ST.
Louis as early as February, 1861. This regiment
succeeded IN Keeping Its organization secret
I'll required In the fed, and was reg
Ing out or the rebellion. FRANK L. BAR was
tho Arst man TO enroll himself private IN the
regiment but he was alterward elected colonel,
aud as such accompanied 1t 10 the fed. on the
l0Sn Of May Colonel BLAIR with his regiment, ac-
cepted as the First Missouri volunteers, assisted
captain Lyon, In command OF the regulars at the
ST. Louis Arsenal, to surround and capture Camp
Jackson one OF the earliest Union successes OF the
war Ine result was oloodless, but or very great
Importance, and within forty days from that time
the battle or Bonneville left the secession Gov
ernor Fugitive and destroyed the Confederate
strength IN Missouri Though his regiment par
uclpated IN that battle Colonel Blair was himself
unable to take part in It, being In washington at.
tending TO his duties IN Congress. AS chairman Of
the Military Committee OF tue House he had more
important WORK to perform even than tnat OF SOL
Gler at the mead OF his regiment On him deYoved
the preparation OF the military appropriation
bills, aud he worked hard TO expedite the equip
ment OF the army which had so suddenly sprung
into existence. Though naturally an orator,
speech-maklng was just tner out OF the question,
THIS TO refute the idea that President Lincoln
had hurried General Scott into nRhtlng the battle
OF Bull Run and IN this speech he showed his own
be the plan OF the Confederates. 4'Isey DESIRE"
ne said, $50 maze the whole OF this war Within
escape scot-lree-not only free from scott,
but rom all other generals. They wish to enjoy
ton, thar they may hold 1t out as bribe foreign
nations to break our blockade" congress sat
very late that year. but Colonel Blair's
account OF his absence in Washington. Al the
request OF the Secretary OF War he raised a |
brigade In Missouri, Of which he was chosen the |
commander, with commission dating from /
August y, 1862. his brigade was incorporated IN
the Fourth division or rigat wing, Of Grants army,
then known as the Tbirteenth Army corps. on
the 29th OF November Of tho same year he was
promoted to be a major general oil volunteers,
and he Immediately set out for the Army Of the
West under Grant, About this time General
Grants forces were divided into four army CORPS
Fifteenth, or General ". 7. Sherman's corps. He
participated IN the unsuccessful assault upon
against Arkansas Post on the Waite River,
whicn opened tae way 70 Little KocS,,
operations against vicksburg under Grant
Vision IN She me edr
man IN she important place, tne latter being pro-
NOTED 10 the command OF the corps. Alter
pated in the active pursuit OF General Joseph e.
Johnston's rebel forces and in the attack upon
ard capture OF Jackson, Miss. All through these
campaigns Blair had been sherman's rghthand
man as Sherman was Grants, and as he had sue
ceeded to Snerman's division, 80, on the 25tn OF
October, 1863 he was appointed by General Sher-
by himself and under that commander he took
part IN sne Advance , OF the io5ses ron
and in the DattIes before that city, No.
yember % 10 81, 1868. AS General Blair
1862, represents the First district OF Missouri IN
the Congress OF 1s63-64, the government appointed
General Logan 70 relieve him OF his corps, SO that
he might take his seat.
When General Blair resumed his seat in Con-
gress, In December OF that year, the understand.
aoey ance until he should be able TO take the field
again, alter ,he adJournment. This action was
made The subject Oh an examination by Congress
liolai Committee, and the President nominated
him anew as q major general OF volunteers as
sgaing aim 70 Tue command OF the SeYeHse enth
Army corps. He was now again serving under
Sherman, and was In the advance guard In the
latter's famous march rom Atlanta 10 the sea-
The corps was disDanded at Louisville July H.
1855, and, In taking leave OF his comHand Gen.
eral Blair said TO his Old comrades in arms:-
sense s not eG oSy for the seryse yoH
have rendered the government, but also 80 ac-
knowledge the debt which owe you personally
for the reputation which your yalor and good con-
ouct nave conferred upon me-" This closed hs
military life and bis civil career, except his SUBJ
segment tel IN OF service IN the Senate.
Soon after the close OF the war Il became evil
deaf that General BLAIR was % longer in ympathy
with the party with which he had acted so long.
Indeed there was estrangement long before, and
when has second appointment as major general
came before the Senate his nomination was con-
nrmed by majority OF only TIVE votes After ne
Identified himself with President Johnson's recon-
strueton policy the differences became too great
Tor even the appearance OF irlendlness; and wnen
johnson nominated him as collector OF Internal
revenue Tor the ST. Louis district the Senate re-
JecJed the nomination by vote or TO 20. he was
also nominated Minister to Austr1a and rejected.
Two years later he was nominated for the Vice
Presidency, on the ticket with Horatlo Seymour,
by the Democratic National Convention watch
met IN Tammany Hall. He at once became she
target Tor republican attack, and WAS lampooned
throughout the canvass with bitterness scarcely
equalled IN any previous campaign. But lampoon-
Ing toe Balrs has always been favorite diversion
VITA their enemies, and the war was scarcely over
TIL some poe faster sung Of them:-
When politicians grow and nght
And scramble for Official plunder:
When great elections fix the right
In weak, ambitious fellows spite,
And they refuse TO see their blundeF:
When they their silly counsel write
or talk 70 chiefs who will mind them
Among the disappointed crew,
Saddest and sOTest OF them. too.
Look for the Blairs, and there Ill find than
They scold they hector ana they quarrel,
They cali all doctrines base, i'm moral
Unconstitutional, hAgitious
And radically vile and vicious
Unless endorsed by one OF the three,
Iunior Irnncis y.