The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-04-01
Mr.. B.alne's Two Narrow Es-
caDaS.

Mr.. Blaine narrowly escaped great
ness. 1t was fairly thrust upon him.
BY nature endowed with all the New
England shrewlncss, his editorial
work had admirably equipped him
for u successful career in Congress.
He is quick III debate aud is extreme
ly ready at repartce. 1t was his
good fortune to occupy the Speakers
Cl,air during a period exceedingly try
ing to political t:immers. The rare
ability with which he discharged the
arduous and delicate duties Of the
speakership placed him high in the
country's estimation, and be came to
be regarded as one of the rising hopes.
Especially, during the debate on the
Force Bill, he stood, with admirable
firmness, between a furious party and
the cousuma,ion Of its desires. But
the political revolution of last No
vember was Mr.. Blaine'S undoins.
He then, pcrforce, came down to the
common level. He assumed the lead
ershlp of the minority. The country
stood and waited, expecting very diff
tercnt party tactics and policy rs the
result Of Buffers departure from the
House. True greatness deies analy-
SEES. and, too frequently, escapes re
coyntion. The amnesty debate was
Mr.. Biainc's crnciai test. 1t proved
him to be a sharp, but not great
man; for no truly great man will
stoop to stir the embers of sectional
hatred. That is not in the ethics of
craftsmanship. The gentleman from
Maine has, perhaps, learned that pc
litical capital is one thing, and il SOL
id, enviablc reputation another. We
trust he has also learned that the
paths of the statesman and the body
snatcl,er should lie widely apart.
Mr.. Blaine has, also, narrowly es.
capped humiliation. We refer, OF
course, to his recent tilt with Mr..
Lamar. Mr.. Blaine, as the slang
goes, "travels on his muscle" In
the debate on the Belknap affair, he
was, as he thought, exhibiting him
self to immense advantage. He fair
ly danced around the majority exhibi-
ting his skill in parliamentary ma
nenvrc and dialectic fencc-in short,
doing his very best to convert the
House into a prize ring. This game
had proved so successful before that
its beauties grew upon him. He for
got the presence Of one whose alb
seuce during the amnesty debate had
alone permitted the success Of that
disgraceful exhibition-L. Q. {. La
mar. The great Mississippian htood
there in all the magniticence of bis
physique, in all tue splendor Of his
oratory, a living refutation of the
ISLANDERS upon his section, and, in
character, the very opposite Of his
willy opponent. In his eulogy upon
Charles Sumner he improved an op.
portunity which Mr.. Blaine would as
suredly, have lost. On this occasion
he was evidently very sure Of his
ground, and he proceeded to demol-
ish Mr.. Blaine's structure with IA
pidity and thorouyhness which fairly
| took that gentlcman's breath. The
audience was, Of course, delighted ;
for nothing is moro refreshing to The
general public than 4 sound thrash
ing administered to q bully. Mr..
Blaine has undoubted talents of a
very high order, but their symmetry
is marred by an egotism which is II
source of constant danger to him.
One or two more such lessons as this
last ought to cure him Of that fault,
or, at least, make it less offensive
But, then. one OF two more such les
sons would leave very little of Mr.
Blaine. They would rob him of his
prestige and his nerve. He must fol.
low his honest convictions and LET
party capital take care Of itself. ln
the last month that article has lost
halt it's value. We have too many
sharp party managers-suppose We
have q few statesmen for rest. II