Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-03-07
THE PLUMED KNIGHT
CROWNED AS THE PREMIER OF IHt
NEW ADMINISTRATION.
lanes G. Blaine. Secretary Of State-A
Staggering Blow to the Imperial
BOsses-A Sketch Of the Emf
nent Statesman's eventful
life-life as a Peda-
cog and Editor
HIS ENTRY INTO POLITICS AND POW,
Err AS A NATIONAL LEGISLATOR.


The Secretary OF State, or the chief
Cabinet officer under the new adlninistra-
ton, is James Gillespie Blaine. Hisselec-
tion TO this place in the government is a
fact of significance. 1t is the one set
tied, undisputed, aud leading action OF
the President-elect from which his future
course, as between the contending Re.
publican factions, may be generally in-
ferred.
Mr.. Blaine is that leader Of the party
around whom the opposition to the i'm
perial bosses, Conkling, Cameron and
Logan, clustered in the last two Ma
tional conventions. They understand
that his triumph meant their humilia-
ton; and the tremendous conflicts
showed that he fully comprehended
their spirit and purpose. At Cincin-
natl they defeated him by trickery,
foistng upon the party that wretched
creature, Hayes, as the only escape from
the brilliant leader who actually held
the hearts oil their common following.
At Chicago Mr.. Blaine returned the cup
| TO the lips OF the conspiratOrs Who had
brewed it at Cincinnati He nomi-
mated Garfield not because he was a.
heart opposed to q third term on prin-
ciple, for he never dared to say 80, and
not. perhaps, even with the high parti-
| san view of saving the party from the
inevitable disruption and defeat under
| Grant, but TO preserve his own power
and consequence and TO humble his
ravening enemies.
They felt the blow and bowed TO it.
They said by their conduct, and almost
by their words, that Blaine and his al
lies, having nominated Garfield, might
elect him; for themselves they would
have none oft. This was the situation
when the elder Cameron appeared on
| the scene and began the characteristic
intrigue which led up to the agreement
OF Mentor; and then followed the visit
of Grant, CYnkling and Logan, and the
sudden precipitation OF the imperial
forces 10 the forefront OF the battle for
Garfield. II this treatyOi Mentor meant
ANYTHING, II meant that blaine was not
| to be armed with the strength OF the
new administration 10 pursue and crush
the very men who thereby engaged to
bring il into existence. But nothing can
be more certain than that Blaine is not
going into the State Department as
mere figurehead. The idle distinction
| of office would have no charms for him.
He will exercise the directing power,
and enjoy the patronage to which
| his rank in the party, his follow.
ing in the country, and his preeminent
| services to the new President entltle
him. The Secretary OF State will again
| assume that leadership in the Cabinet
| which he held before the proportions OF
the Treasury and the War Department
were swollen by the war, and in conse-
quence of debt and military burdens.
| His relations 10 the President-elect are
strlkingly like those OF Mr.. Seward TO
President Lincoln. He was himself the
real choice OF the party for the nomina-
! tion: he is a very distinguished Sena-
| tor; he is keen, aggressive politician,
| OF original conceptions and fertile expe-
dients; and he has been designated as
| the head o! the Cabinet almost from the
day of the election.
From an old friend OF Mr.. Blaine's
| have obtained some interesting points
regarding the youthful days OF this dis.
tinguished man. He enjoyed the price
| less influence OF home training. Excel.
lent parents were his. Pe knew their
worth. The fifth commandment with
him was no dead letter. 4 pattern OF
! studiousness, he was regarded as a
| - -, l,,,t ,ytt
clad frame, by outdoor sports he fur
ther steeled himself against the Bullets
OF the eventful career before him.
At School Was LAID the Cornerstone
OF that wonderful popularity accorded
| to the distinguished Pennsylvania by
the whole nation. The child Blaine
early showed germs OF power to awaken
! enthusiasm. The playmates OF his
scAool.days dwell with aiiectionate rs-
membrance upon their youthful COM
paniOnship with the spirited, generous
boy. In after wears, when presiding
] over the House OF Representative,
stranger, handsome and gray.bearded,
approached the Speakers seat. Mr..
Blaine surveyed him intently for an
instant, then, seizing both hands, ex-
claimed, "Why, Lucisn. Can it be you,
| dear old fellow" Beardless lads they
had last parted.
His chums nicknsmed him "Nosey
Blaine" sobriquet which he owed to
the prominence of that feature which
more than any other is proportioned to
the ability OF its possessor. II this is a
rule TO be relied or, able indeed must
be the Blaines.
Anecdotes are not many remembered
of the boy BlaiLe. BOysms he had
but lew. iutored in healthy ambition,
he maturrd early. His boyhood was
briei. Comrades saw in Jim Blaine
no embryo states ran. Notso with ambi-
,ious mamma-she propt esied fame for
| her bov.' So do most mothers-nOne,
though, with fairer auguries. Few live
10 see hopes thus satisfactorily realized.
! First 10 an Ohio school. thea to Wash
inrton Presbyterian College-in the
town where his father held office
Young Blaine was sent. He studied as
siduously. 4 thorough classical educa-
| tion was there obtained. Books were
never neglected by him tor light amuse-
ment. From the rich fields OF al! liter
ature he transplanted into the well
cusnoed gardens OF his. memory the
Tarest flowers OF bellies lettres- There
still in brighy parterres they bIo.m,
ever ready TO be culled for oratorical
bouquets and to blossom anew. About
lS47 James Blaine graduated with high
honors first OF thirty.three classmates.
Enrolled on the books Of his Alma
Mater is no name to which the staid old
Calyinis,ic Professors point with Juster
pride than to that Of young Blaine.
Like Webster and other great Amer
leans, Blaine began his career by teach.
ing. His school was at Georgetown,
XIV. For parliamentarians no better
training is offered than schooling boys.
As BOYS are 10 men, so in many respects
are schools to parliaments. Controlling
masses OF men is, after all, much Ike
keeping order among unruly lads. The
larger the body oilegislators, the strong.
er is the resemblance to troop oil
schoolboys. A good share OF admins
trative duties are learned by a country
1 scboolmaster Human nature in all its