Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-05
From the Republican Journal.
Hon. James &. Blaine in Washing
ton.

ton.
| In the many sketches of the private life
and public career of the Hon. James G..
Blaine. which have from time to time APP
peared in print, little more than brief
mention has been made of the estimation
in which he is held by the people OF Wash
ington. This omission we propose to sup
ply, in the interest of current history, and
it NAV be we'll to add that our information
! is derived from a locker on in Washing
ton for the past ten years, correspondent
for democratic papers, and who, OF course.
was politically opposed to Mr.. Blaine.
Although Mr. Blaine's home Isl Augusta.
it must be remembered that for nearly four
/ teen years ne has resided for at least half
of each year in Washington. and that his
official duties as Representative, Speaker
of the House and Senator, have brought
him in contact with a great many people,
while his figure has become n familiar
one to the frequenters of the galleries OF
Congress and the promenaders on Penn
sylvania avenue. To say that Mr.. Blaine
enjoys n greater personal popularity, to-
day, among all classes in Washington than
any one of his contemporaries is but the
simple truth. and will be disputed by none
who are at all familiar with the place and
people. 1t is Il fact which his bitterest
enemies-for no public man is without
enemies-cannot deny. AT no time dur
ing President Grants eight years resi-
dence in the White House rs chief magis-
trate of the nation, did he possess 1.-THE
of the regard bestowed by employees OF the
Government and others on Senator Blaine,
nor could his name or presence evoke one
half the enthusiasm spontaneously accord
ed to our distinguished fellew citizen. In
making this statement we disclaim any
intention of disparaging Gen. Grant; nor
do we propose to discuss the causes of Il
popularity. usually summed in the two
words personal magnetism
The interest Washington felt in the
National Republican convention of four
years ago was very great. and the defeat
of Mr. Blaine for the nomination bitter
disappointment. Had he been nominated,
Washington would have seen day of
jubilee which would have been forever
memorable in her history. 1t was but
natural that the choice of Mr.. Hayes. who
was almost unknown to those who thronged
about the telegraph offices, should have
been quietly received. A department
clerk. an Ohio man. too. who had been in
the habitof doing some vigorous campaign
work each year in his home neighborhood
told a friend of the writer, after the NOM
nation. that he should 60 home and vote,
but felt no special interest in the election.
Had Blaine been nominated. he said.
should have taken off my coat and put in
good deal of solid work. These were
the sentiments of many. few of whom had
any personal acquaintance with Mr.. Blaine,
but whose knowledge of him was derived
from observation of his Congressional
/ career. III Will Dt TeittuioSItu tiitt MI
Blaine was confined to his house by ILL
ness at the time the convention was held
and when he had recovered sufficiently to
drive out he received a popular ovation
which must have touched him deeply.
Wherever his carriage appeared hatswere
raised and cheers rent the air.
Tothose who know him tits hardly neces-
sary to say that Mr.. Blaine is not seek
err after popularity; that he does not court
laudation. or endeavor to conciliate every
BODY, but maintains the even tenor of his
way with that degree of dignity we have
right to expect in public man. He is
uniformly courteous to all. Compare
sons are odious." says Dogberry. but it
NAV be said that Senator Blaine is alike
devoid Of the lnsufferable self conceit
and stndied insolence which mark the
bearing of Senator Conkling, and of the
demagogical arts by which many of his
colleagues attempt to gain the popularity
which is so freely bestowed on him.
| There are no men better qualified to