Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-10-20
OBITUARY.
The Venerable Francis p, BIair.

WASHINGTON, October l9.-Francis
p. Blair, the venerable Journalist and poll
tician, died yesterday at his residence at Sill
yer Springs, Maryland, aged eighty-seven
years.
Mr.. Blair was born at Abingdon, Washington
county, Virginia, April II I79l. His father,
James Blair, afterward attorney-general of
Kentucky, removed TO that State about 1890;
the son was graduated at Trsnsylvanis uni
versity; studied Law, but from Ill health and
weakness OF voice never engaged in its prac-
tIce; volunteered, however, as q private sol.
der in lSl2,snd marched toward the Canadian
front1er, but was taken sick and left on the
way. Early politician, he was a friend of
Mr.. Clay, and supported him for the Presi-
dency in 1924, but separated from him after he
gave his vote for J. q. Adams and entered the
Adams administration; but this did not ex
unguish their personal friendship, which re-
msined even after the ardent controversies in
which they were subsequently engaged. Be
fore this final separation from Mr. Clay, Mr.,
Blair had d1verged from his policy in various
local questions, and still more in opposing the
United States bank, and in contending for the
power of the states TO tax its branches When,
IN the first year CT General Jackson's admin
1stratiOn, the notification movement was de-
yeloped, an article against it, written by Mr..
Blair, In newspaper in Kentucky, attracted
the notice OF the President, and resulted in al
invitation to Mr.. Blair, though he was then
personally unknown 10 General Jackson, to
remove 10 Washington and become the editor
OF a Democratic journal to be established
there. Under such auspices the Globe was
commenced In November, 1880; and there
soon grew up most intimate and confiden
editor. which continued until General Jack
sons death. Mr.. Blair retained the control Of
le Globe, notwithstanding the opposition OF
several prominent Democrats who were in
cltned TO favor the rechartering OF the United
States bank, throughout General Jackson's
two terms OF Office; and subsequently, through
the terms of Van Buren,, of Harrison, and of
Tyler, until the accession of Mr.. Polk to the
Presidency in March, 1915, who required him
10 sell that journal to Mr.. RitchIe, on the
ground that the change was necessary to the
harmony Of the Democrats party. Mr.. Polk
afterward besought him 10 resume his posi-
tion editor, bat he dec ined, as he did the
offer OF the Spanish mission for himself and
of another diplomatic app intment for his
son. He retired to Silver Spring, Mon! gomeTy
county, Mary land, where he has since been
successfully engaged in agriculture. In the
Presidential election of 1915, he withdrew
from the Democratic party and supported Mr..
Van Buren, and the W1lmoJ proviso. After
the repeal of the Missouri compromise, lie
took prominent part in the organization of
the Republican party, and in the attempt, In
1856, to elect Colonel Fremont TO the Presi-
dency. During the Lincoln campaign he was
often consulted by the members of his party,
and during and since the war his advice was
oIten sou snt, as that of one whose wisdom in
politics mad been escertained to be a reliable
guaranty. since 1866, he warmly espoused the
canse OF peace and good government, both his
distinguished sons affurding personal testi-
InOny to the TACT thai the party their father
he'll ed to establish had outlived its usef9l-
nesS,