Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-08
Daily Kemebtl 3ournal.
The New Secretary Of state.

first took his seat in Congress as Repre-
sentative of the Third Congressional Dis
trict in Maine. He had then served four
consecutive terms in our State Legislature.
and was called to become candidate for
Congress by the practically unanimous
vote of the convention which nominated
him. receiving Ia votes of the ISL
which the Convention under its call was
authorized TO cast. Then as now an ar
dent republican. his whole soul was enlisted
in the cause of the government against the
Rebellion. In his speech of acceotance of
the nomination at the convention he said /:
Il deem it my duty to say that il am
''called to a seat in Congress. shall go
there with determination to stand heart
lily and unreservedly by the admin
''istraiion of Abraham Lincoln. In
1.-THE success of that administration in
1.-The good Providence of God rests. | sol
''emnly believe. the fate of our Union. II
1--WE cannot subdue the Rebellion through
1.-The agency of the administration. there
''is no other human power to which we
lean turn Farther on in the same
speech he said: The great object with us
''all is to subdue the Rebellion-speedilv.
"cffectually and finally. In our march to
THAT end we must crush all intervening
obstacles. II slavery or any other i'm
"stitution' stands in the way it must be
removed. Perish all things else the ma
'tional life must he saved
1t was with sentiments like these upon
his lips and firmly engraved upon his
heart, uttered in July. 1862, expressing
supreme confidence in President Lincoln
as the instrument through which the ma
tion's deliverance was TO be wrought.
prophesying the overthrow ofslavery in the
conflict, and declaring that the nations
life must be preserved let the sacrifice be
what il might. that Mr.. Blaine entered up
on that grandly successful public career
which has placed bin in the ranks of our
foremost American statesmen. and rem
dered his the most popular name in all
this country. Seven times elected from this
district TO the House of Representatives.
serving four terms as Speaker, he made
so brilliant Il reputation in that field of ac-
ton where the qualities and capabilities of
men are put to the sharpest tests. that
in 1876 he became a candidate for Presi-
dent of the United States. receiving 35l
votes on the decisive ballot in the Nation
al Republican Convention. while Mr..
HAYES had 3S4 and was nominated. The
speech of Robert G. Ingersoll of Illinois
in presenting the name of Mr..
Blaine to that convention is known
to every school-boy. It is one
of the most eloquent tributes to public
man found in American literature. No
one who was present in that convention
will ever forget the unparalleled demon
strations of applause which succeeded the
following closing words of Col. Inger-
soils speech: 'Illinois nominatcs for
1.-The next President of this country, that
''prince of parliamentarians. that leader
''of leaders, JAMES G. BLAINE"
The same year Mr.. Blaine was appoint
ed by the Governor of the State to seat
in the United States Senate, to fill va
cancv caused by the resignation of Hon.
Lot NJ. Morrill, to accept the position Of
Secretary of the Treasury. The next
winter he was elected by the Legislature
of Maine TO the Senate for full term.
Again in 1880 Mr.. Blaine was candidate
for President. and again his strength and
popularity were evinced in remarkable
degree by the support he received in
the convention as competitor with
General Grant for the nomination.
Now that President Garfield has been
installed Chief Executive. he calls JAMES
G. BLAINE to the chief place in his Cab
met, TO the Office Of Secretary Of State. a
position which has been filled BY some of
the greatest men our country boasts by
Jefferson. Madison. Monroe, john Quincy
Adams, Clay, Webster, Calhoun. Everett.
Marcy, Cass, Seward, and lastly bv
Evarts-a long roll ofdistinguished Of names
The President has made u wise selection.
and no one knows it better than he. for he
has been closely connected with Mr..
Blaine in the affairs Of Congress. where
he had full opportunity to obtain a perfect
understanding OF the character of
bis future Secretary of State
Mr.. Blaine will do his full share
TO promote the honor and prosperity of
the nation so far as depends upon the de.
partmcnt of which he will be the head
Of his ability there is no need to speak
Nor is it necessary to say that he will
not be cipher or IN idler in the position
to which he has been called.
He will find work enough to do and
it will not be neglected. While no man
can excel him in priEcely generosity
and courtesy and in upright dealing with
the representatives OF all foreign nations,
he will brook no disrespect to the Ameri-
can flag anywhere, and jealousy guard
the rights Of every American citizen and
the interests Of the American people on