Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-07
Mr.. Blaine's Wealth.

Eastern papers print the following
remarks made by Mr.. j. L. Stevens in
the Republican Convention for the,
Third district of Maine, upon offering
the resolutions presenting the name Of
Hon. James g. Blaine for the presi-
dency: ~
Indiscriminate calumny against
public men is abroad in the land.
We are on the eve If an exciting and
important national election 1t is
nothing new in the political history of
this country that presidential caudi
dates are the objects of unjustifabe
assault. This has been the experience
of all, from Washington to Grant
The attack on Adams, Jackson aud
Clay were of the most bitter and
shameless character. Sixteen years
since, the one who now addresses you
was sent by the Republicans of Maine
to represent them to the National Con-
vention in Chicago. The leading can
didate for weeks prior to the assem-
bling of that convention was the ob
iect of attacks aud insinuations too
foul to stain my lips with their repeti-
tion in your presence, though William
FL. Seward was one of the ablest and
truest statesmen this country ever pro-
duced. To-day the name of James q
Blaine is on the heart Of earnest Re
publicans from the Pacific to the At
lantic. La the prime Of manhood, Of
masterly ability. of extensive and var
led acquisitions for craftsmanship, with
ripe exper ence in public affairs he is
the choice for the presidential candi-
date Of those who best realize the
needs of the republic in the trying
year immeiiarely before US. We all
knew him well. For nearly quarter
of century be has lived in your midst
You know his character as a citizen
and man OF business The facts are
| before the country as to how he had
met the charges against hm-plainly
fully, and conclusivelv, in the opinion
of all candid and impartial men.
Beaten at all points, the enemy falls
back on ore general declaration, and
that is the substance Of all he has to
say. The charge is that Mr.. Blaine
went lLto Congress poor man and is
now rich The answer to this is brief
and conclusive. In 1858 with no in
considerable sum of money, fairly
earned by industry, energy and by wise
business management, he made large
investment, partly with paid down
cash and far more with credit backed
py a mortgage and assisted by friends.
So much confidence had he in the
prospective value of the prop erty thus
purchased that he strongly urged his
personal friends to make like invest
ment. This is a matter we'll known in
this community. This property speedi-
ly increased in value, more than vindi-
eating bis wisdom and foresight in
making the purchase. The increasing
value of this Investment amounted to
a respectable fortune within the fol-
lowing 5 years. In 1868, at the date
of his entrance in Congress, Mr.. Blaine
was worth not less than $4,000 or
$75,O 900. Twenty-Five years have
transpired since he first engaged in
business enterprise in your midst. In
that period thousands of men in this
country, of far less business capacity
and Of less business activity, have be-
come far more wealthy without hostile
criticism, and this is sufficient answer
to the assertion that in 1863 he went
to Congress poor man. The wealth
he to-day possesses is vastly over esti-
mated. During the % years that this
distinguished citizen has resided in
your midst, have been intimately ac-
quainted with him. In all his busi-
ness transactions, with which [ have
been acquainted, I have never known
him to have received a dollar to which
he was not entitled, legally and by
equity. 10 this wanton and untruth-
fol assault on his business integrity
and reputation. his fellow citizens in
this community oppose the shield of
his we'll earned character among those
| who have known him the longest and
best. Conspicuous as is his position
to-day, and brilliant as is the record he
has made in the affairs of the country,
if life and opportunity are spared him,
he will show greater capabilities than
he has yet exhibited, and prove that he
has intellectual resources for states
manship to place him in the rank with
Hamilton, Seward and Gladstone.
Use Caution