National Republican., 1883-07-28

traces of thought on his shoulders the burden
of reflection. He admired the humor Of
Lamb rather than of Twain, and his smile
was oftener seen than his laugh. Hence to
those who did not know him intimately, and
especially to the vulgar, the course aud tho
stupid he did not seem TO be genial. T'h o
poor, the unfortunate, the distressed VIII o
sought his aid or his advice did think him
genial, however; and with the highly cul-
tured, the refined, the intellectual, he was
very cNcmplar of gcuality.
Ito was devoted to the best interests, both
temporal and spiritual Of the Episcopal de-
nomination, to which he belonged. He was
very especially zoalous for the prosperity Of
the church at Silver Springs. Through him
chiefly was st. Lukes coorod church, in this
city, built, and he stood ready 10 save it to
the congregation through all the troubles 1t
passed. He was one of the most promi-
nent layinen of the Protestant Episcopal
dccesc of Maryland, and an active momber of
the convocation of Washington. He was as
sociatcd with many charitable and benevolent
enterprises in this city, and recently was act
lively engaged in pushing forward the project
to build u homeopathic hospital here.
1t is not generally known to what immense
extent the postoflicc department is indebted
to him for its present perfected condition.
He was sworn in rs postmaster general on
March Z, 1861, by Judge Lawrenson.
lie was the first postmaster general to ad-
vocate free delivery" as a means of saving
money to the public lie issued the orders
disseminating the mail service in the south
ern states. During his term of Office he set
on foot measures for the convoning at Paris
of an international postal congress- Hon.
John A. KassOn, then assistant postmaster
general, represented the United States ut the
congress hold at the above named place in
May, 1868 Twelve European and three
American countries were represented there
L. Nnb1 I.I 1,g fr.a Iplt 9in
the railway postal service, and money order
offices in the principal cities and towns in
the union. 1t was through him that our
government established postal conventions
with Switzerland, Great Britain, the German
empire Canada, and Italy.
Ho also made many important changes in
the dead letter office. He first suggested
specified salaries, and classified postnasters
and graded them according to salary.
On Aug. 90, 1861, he issued his celebrated
order forbidding transmission through the
mails of the four New York newspapers, the
Journal Of Commerce, Daily Ncrs, Froeman''
,iOlv,lai, and Brooklyn Eagle on account of
scditious publications. He was liked by all
who served under him in the department,
and reported by the employees man of ability
and one who was upright and prompt in all his
oflicial.lctsand duties PostmastorGcneral Ores
ham yesterday issued the following order
"As q mark of respect TO the late Hon. Mont
gomery Blalr, eN-postmaStcr general, IL Ii
hereby directed that the Postoce depart.
ment bzilding be draped in mourning for q
period of thirty days from this date; that the
flag on the building be placed at half mast
until after the burial of the deceased ex-post.
master general, and that the department be
closed on Monday, July 80.
His funeral will take place tomorrow after.
noon at $50 o'clock from the Rock Creek
church. The cortege will consist of member.
of the family and intimate friends. The
services will be heldat the Rock Creek church
and will be be'conducted by Rev. DR.. Leonard
of st. Johns church, where Mr.. Blair wor.
SHIPPED while in the city. The ceremonies
will be brief, after which the body will be
placed in the family vault of the cemetery
The pallbearers will be the six vestrymen Of
the Silver Springs church, which Mr.. Blair
attended. Mr. Blair was also member OF
the vestry of that church.
Mr. Blair leaves q widow and four chill.
dren--three sons, Woodbury., Gist, and Mont.
gomery, and daughter, Miss Minna. 1t has
been remarked as curious coincidence that
his family corresponded exactly in numbers
and sex with that of his father, Francis p
Blair, who had three sons, Montgomery
FSancis, and James, and daughter, Eliza
beth, now the wife of Admiral Lee.