Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-08
GEN. S.BLAIRANDFATHGRDPs DP sMgT

Prisndshlp Between Ghem-HoW
the Latter BPfe1ended the FOFmeF
Hhe" andidaGe IOr the Unit ed
| kt,teH senate.
From the Chicago Times.l
= To the casual observer the lives of
these two distinguished men seem 80
widely apart that he could scarcely i'm
agine they should ever have come 10
gether Yet to those who we're honored
with the confidence aud friendship OF
both there were many OF the high vir
tues snimating the heart Of tho great
missionary displayed in the turbulent
but heroic life of the great Miesourian
Both OF them were the friends of my
better days, and though the upcom
ing years may bring forth greater minds
than either, still do not expect 10 see a
purer statesman than Frank Blair any
more than expect to look on holier
priest tbsn Father De Smet.
But no matter. Let me say how they
came together 1t will be remembered
that, upon the resignation by Mr.. Drake
of his seat in the United States Senate
to assume the life position Of Chief Jus
lice OF the Court of Claims, General
Blair, then a member OF the Lower
House Of the Missouri Legislature, was
ut once called upon by the Democratic
party to replace him. While the canvass
was pending he dropped into my Office
one day, as was his custom.
Good morning, General" said |;
there is no doubt, understand, of your
election to the Senate. ?
"Ithink not" he replied, although
there will be opposition from quarters
where | least expected it.
"Ahl where is it2'
"Why, Senator Y - will oppose me
both with his vote and bis influence"
Anything personal between you2"
Nothing that know OF.
Now, Mr. x - know had uOdoubt.
ed influence in the Missouri Senate, but
also knew that he was q man who
would not allow his public duties to be
subordinated to his private prejudices.
| therefore replied: ;
General, it his mind is made up 1
have not sufficient influence to change
it, but from what know of the man he
will have no hesitation in giving the
reasons that govern him. I'll find them
out" ............... s,af
"Plssse DO so, John, - be returned, and
started for the door, Before he reached
it he turned back, and taking me aside,
he inquired: nsh mo- i'fo
do you know Father De Smet7' ~.
Intimately" said /, I'm one Of his
boys" .a.'
Would he do you a fayorl' 1909
"Of course he would, particularly"
SAID 1, rif he thought it would have ten
dency to assist in the salvation of my
soul. By the bye, Frank, I'm beginning
to find out since I've mixed up in poll
tics that that salvation business is fear
fully tough job" t'la
well, John, we must all commence
at the primer again in those matters
I'm going to do it myself some Of these
days. However, ask Father De Smet to
see Senator Y - for me"
II xill, General, bat yon know now
how those Jesuits are. They would
rather play q game OF base ball with the
nine muses. than interfere in politics" D"
ASK him, anyhow" aud General
| Blair left. tW 43lr
1t WAS not an hour aiterward when
Father De Snet entered The old man
had risen from bed Of sickness, and his
slow step aud worn vissge betokened that
a constitution which once was iron had
begun to break under the accumulated
tolls, travels and deprivations Of half 3
century OF active life devoted to God
fsnd bis fellow man. The venerable
missionary sat dowA near the stove and
busted himself with the editorial colpmRs
Of the mornipg apspet,o Ny long &C.
quaintance with bin, rtae from giving me
con6dsnce, made me somewhat timotous
in broacHihg the subject. | therefore
skirmished, 6rst about the weather, and
them made some remark about the last
election, And the Important duties that
would deyoITe on qtheinooming Legislal
ture isH6 merely turned around and
smllinEly ssid, in Bis fAthetly wAy: my
! dear Soy sthe less sou interest yourself
| In politics, the happier will your heart be
when 600 are my age, rs ] vas about to
drop the subject, when tremembered
That | had promised General Blair 10
ask hiS intefcesion with bis friend. +
therefore, replied that / did not feel any
interest ia politics at that time, bpt that
! / desired to see General Blair elected 10
tSe Senste, 40 The moment / said thisthe
old man put aside bis paper bpd said.
rs General Blair a candidate tor the
! Seuate9 9noiilUd tnn aDfa
'Certainly,' saidI.
sTben do fsryently hope hewill sue.
| ce.d; they can send thereno better man.
+ The interest he inahifested surprised
mo, and IrrejoinedI Father, you can
help him, II yon will. ."0lI 4lAlo9H H4
siss''' hs returned; 7 will gladly doSo,
! '%fi i,,Sa..,ss . <'sfsstor X----.--- ie Q
f..s fNtVl le.Aho - you ask him 10