Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-07
The New Secretary of state.

The New Secretary of State.
Eighteen years ago. when the nation
was in jeopardy, JAMES G. BLAINE
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 a candidate for
Congress by the practically unanimous
vote Of the convention which nominated
him, receiving IA votes Of the lSl
which the Convention under its call was
authorized to cast. Then a now an ar
dent republican. his whole soul was enlisted
in the cause of the government against the
rebellion. In his speech of acceptance Of
the nomination at the convention he said ::
II deem it my duty to say that If am
"called to a seat in Congress, shall go
there with determination to stand heart
lily and unreservedly by the admin
''istration 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 sustain the Rebellion through
'ihe agency Of the administration. there
''is no other human power to which we
lean turn Further on in the same
speech he said: 1.-The great object with us
.'all is TO subdne the Rebellion-speedily,
effectually and finally. In our march to
THAT end we must crush all intervening
obstacles. If slavery or any other lin
"stitution' stands in the way it must be
removed Perish all things else. the ma
.'tional life must be preserved"
II was with sentiments like these upon
his lips and firmly engraved upon his
heart, uttered in July, 1862, expressing
supreme confidence in President Lincoln
"a the instrument through which the ma
tons deliveraEce 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 it might, that Mr.. Blaine entered up
on that grandly successful public career
which has placed him 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 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 Il candidate for Presi-
dent of the United States, receiving 35l
votes on the decisive ballot in the Nation
nj Republican Convention. while Mr..
Hayes had 3si and was nominated. The
speech of Robert &. Ingersoll of Ilinoi.
in presenting the name of Mr.
Blaine to that convention is known
to every sehool-boy. 1t is one
of the most eloquent tributes to public
man found in American literature. Nc
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 dominates fol
1.-The next President of this country. tina
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 a sea
in the United States Senate. TO I'LL va
cancy caused by the resignation of Hon
Lot NJ. Morrill, to accept the position o
Secretary of the Treasury. The mex
winter he was elected by the Legislature
of Maine to the Senate for full term
Again in 1880 Mr.. Blaine was a candidat,
for President. and again his strength ant
popularity were evinced in remarkable
degree by the support he received ii
the convention as a competitor with
General Grant for the nomination.
Now that President Garfield has beer
installed Chief Executive, he calls JAMES
G. BLAINE to the chief place in his Cab
met. to the office of Secretary of State.
position which has been filed by some o
the greatest men our country boasts by
Jefferson. Madison. Monroe, John Quine,
Adams. Clay. Webster, Calhoun. Everett
Marcy. Cass, Seward. and lastly b,
Evarts-a long roll ofdistinguished names
The President has made wise selection
and no one knows it better than he. for h,
has been closely connected with Mr.
Blaine in the affairs OF Congress. wher,
he had full opportunity to obtain pertec
understanding Of the character o
his future Secretary of State
MIR. Blaine will do hls full shar,
to promote the honor and prosperity o
the nation 50 far As depends upon the de
partment of which, he will be the head
OF his ability there is no need to speak
Nor is il necessary to say that he viii
not be y cipher or an idler in the position
to which he has bsen called
He will find work enough to do and
it will not be neglected. While no man
can excel him in priucely 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 iealously Tuart