The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-04-02
PUBLIC CHARACTERS 1T WASHING TON
JAMES G. BLAINE.

ask. SLOW does Blaine look - the gentle
man from Maine must be considered one Of
the most important men in Washington.
He 10 not by any means commonplace in
appearance, and yet it is not easy to give
one who has never seen him o fair idea of
him. He is in the prime of life and the
full hush of health. He Ia undoubtedly
above the middle height. aud yet he is 80
compactly and strongly built that he does
not seem call. The peculiarity of his shape
is that his body is not fiat but rounded, and
while it presents good breadth across the
shoulders, it is almost as deep through
from chest to back. Upon this powerful
trunk is set a large and we'll developed
head, with full, handsome and expressive
face on which is legible the confidence
which comes from conscious ability and
continued success. The crown OF the head
is lust touched with baldness, but there is
still abundance of hair to serve to Get off
the countenance. The eyes are keen and
bold, and when the brows lower and the
lines of the face wrinkle around them, the
expression is that of an animal on the
watch. The lower part of the face Is cover
ed with a full, neatly trimed gray beard, in
which the trace of its original dark color
may still be detected. Mr.. Blaine's favorte
attitude in repose is not q very peculiar
one, aud yet he contrives to throw much
that is characteristic into it. He has
habit of sitting with his feet we'll under
him, his body thrown forward, his elbows
on lis desk, his short neck sunk down into
his shoulders, and his face gathered into a
watchfui, cunning look. There is some
thing about him at such times suggesting
bronze lion on a pediment. He appears to
be gathering himself for q spring, and yon
instinctively feel that his propensity will
be to retreat discouraged if he misses his
are at once impressed with his powerful
vigor, vitality, nerve power. He is quick,
ayile and strong in his movements, step
ping backward and forward in the aisle as
argument leads him in aggressive move
ments towards his opponents or persuasive
efforts with his friends. He treads lightly
but firmly his gestures, ifstudied, became
second nature to him long ago, and are now
M ade with unconscious grace and strength,
and he emphasizes a point with either hand
in q mastery way that would indicate
some practice with the boxing gloves. His
style of speaking is clear, rapid. vigorous.
The magnetism of bis audience and the
spirit of the occasion thrill and epkind'e
him and he dashes impetuousy on in his
argument. Not little of his influence is
due to his rich, manly voice, which he
pours ont until it fills the hall of Represen-
tatives without uttering a false tone or
giving an infection that would be out of
place in conversation with friend. He
can, in one word, make a speech without
overstraining himself or falling into man
nerisms. This is not the best praise, bat
it is the highest that can be granted to him;
for Mr.. Blaine, though ready and subtle, is
not learned or profound. He springs into
q debate like gladiator into the arena,
and struggles for victory you need not
look to him as q ehivalric champion in the
cause of truth or justice. His great aim is
to acquire personal glory through the dis
comfture OF the Democracy in the House,
and no trick is too contemplate, no state
ment too dishonest, no policy too DANCE.
rous for him If it promises success. should
pronounce Mr. Blaine man who has been
too busy in the turmoil of Congressional
life for original thought-who never laid
the foundations of definite political know
ledge in early study, and who is too cum
ming to give bimself up to the convictions
which come by inheritance or rise from in ,
stinct. He is neither great man nor
good statesman, aud when he urges a n1ea.
sure, those who know him always look for
some sinister design behind tue motive
which he processes.
In Washington society Mr.. Blaine is a
great favorite, aud when iG is announced
that he is to speak, the galleries are sure to
be crowded with elegantly dressed ladies,
who doubtless fad strange pleasure In CON
trasting his sauve courtesy in the Parlor
with his aggressive bitterness on the floor
of the House. Among his colleagues of
both parties, when not in debate, he 1s
gay, sf4ble and fall of tact, but he has that
abumiuable habit which has grown up
lately of holding out his left hand by way
of greeting, a style of procedure which
went out of fashion when men ceased to
kneel to kies the hands of kings. In the
heat of discussion Biaine's manner can
only be described accuratel y as we'll as
briefly by saying it is that Of bully. He
acts as if the rules of the House were not
made to bind him, disregards calls TO order,
breaks in upon an opponent who refuses to
yield, talks down one to whom he will not
give way for a question, and carries his
puints by sheer force. Hence, he is "in
close Gght a champion GRIM" though his
over confidence aud impetuosity often lead
him into difficulties, as was the case when
he interrupted Lamar's speech on the
Belknap case and became entangled in a
discussion in which his ignorance of law
and his shifty etyle of argument were pite-
ousIy exposed. 1t is a curious and some
what comprehensive fact that the only
man who completely overcrows him is Sam
Cox. The gentleman from New York gen
orally has the attention of the House when