American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-10-28
Francis p. Blair.

The death of this eminent man closes
life of singular activity and useful
ness. Though for number of years
in retirement, and though the absence
of his name from the public prints has
caused many to forget him for the mo-
ment, few men have in private sta
ton exercised more influence in the
past history of the republic, and GER
tainly none has used his influence more
to the good of his generation. The
surest testimony to the worth of a man
is that given by his enemies, and such
tributes to Mr.. Blair have frequently
been offered by his personal as well as
by his political opponents.
Mr. Blair was born at Abingdon, Va,
1871, and at the time of his death was
therefore eighty-five years old. He
was of an old Virginia family of excel
lent repute among their neighbors, and
highly esteemed in every respect. At
an early age he was sent to Transyl-
vania Academy, in Kentucky, where his
education was altogether conducted,
and where he studied law, with the in
tention of deyoting his life to the legal
profession. Having some fortune, how
ever, he did not practice law, but turn
ed his attention to politics, that subject
so enticing to every Southern man. In
the canvass of 1924 Mr.. Blair supported
Clay with all the energy and ability he
possessed, although at the same time
dissenting from several of the latter's
opinions, particularly those with refer
ence to the United States Bank, and the
difficulty which arose in regard to it.
In 1929 Mr.. Blair was either the edi-
tor or the leading contributor to
prominent Kentucky newspaper, and
when the South Carolina trouble about
qualification came on, near the begin
ming of Jackson's term, Blair wrote
against it in such manly, vigorous
style, as to attract considerable atten-
ton. Jackson himself was at length
struck with the ability of the writer,
and by him Blair was invited to 90 to
Washington and take charge of the
Globe, newspaper to be started there
in the interests of the Democracy. AT
ter some negotiation he consented to do
so, and in 1880 he entered upon his new
duties in the capital.
Here he remained during the two
terms of Jackson, during that of Van
Buren,, and that of Harrison and Tyler,
but in 1915 Polk became, for some cause
or other, dissatisfied, and concluded to
place the journal under other manage
ment. This was not altogether agree
able to Mr.. Blair, and though Polk
sought to soothe his wounded feelings
and flatter him by offering him the po-
sition of Minister to Spain, he peremp-
torily declined it, and went into volun-
tary retirement. In 1S48 he came be-
fore the public, having withdrawn from
the Democratic party, and champion
ing the opposing candidate; and
second time, after the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, when he APP
peared as one of the organizers and
leaders of the newly formed Republi-
can party.
hOoO WV diC hIo OAly PuDllC lCdP-
pearances since his abandonment of
the Globe, % years ago. He was then
81 years old, and in need of rest. Since
1913 he has lived quietly, either at
Washington or at his estate, Silver
Springs, in Montgomery County, Mary
land. During the civil war he was the
faithful friend and adviser of Mr.. Lin
coin, many of whose wisest measures
are said to have been either suggested
or encouraged by him. His son, Mont
gomery Blair, was Postmaster-General
under Lincoln, and the history of Frank
Blair, Jr., is too well known to the peo-
pie of Missouri to need more than a no.
tice. For many years Mr.. Blair has
been honored in his retirement by the
visits of numerous prominent men con-
nected with the Government, and his
aged form has been well known to all
the habitues of the Capital. Few men
have commanded more respect, and
few have died more regrettea.-H.