The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-08-23
bearing which attested the royalty of his

bearing which attested the royalty of his
nature.
Few men have discharged the high duties
of Senator with more honor to their State,
or to themselves, than did Lot NJ Morrill,.
Both in character and person perhaps ma1ali-
ness is the term which would best express
his especial qualities. Of good figure, erect,
looking every man and every question
squarely in the face, quick of judgment and
resolute in execution. A man of great no.
bleness of soul, and as true to the Right as
the needle to the magnet. No sinister indu-
ence could swerve Lot Morrill, from the line
of rectitude a hairs breadth-and he was
never stumbling about in search of his path
lnstinctively he knew the right and walked
brayely its narrow way. He was a frequent
and brilliant debater-ofteR Illuminating his
periods of hearty sentiment and ringing elo-
quence with cleaning shafts of corruscating
sarcasm and humor. Sharp in his denuncia
ton of wrong, but never sour or bitter In
deed his spirit was tempered with rare kind
illness, his soul seemed fountain of gener-
Gus emotion. Mr. Morrill, added to his great
abilities the most social disposition and real
love OF men. He was one of those favorites
of society whom we call "whole souls
"men who fill the hour and the company,
whatever the occasion, contented and con-
tentingly." A man of "clean grit" of
whose honorable conduct his friends had no
anxiety, whatever the responsibility or what
ever the temptation.
One day when there was high debate up
on the question OF Reconstruction and the
status of the freedman, found Mr.. Morrill,
in the great Rotunda of the Capitol walking
TO and fro in front of the old historic paint
ings which hang upon those high walls. He
had LETT the Senate aud its heated wrangling
Tor half hours communion with the great
men and the great events of our earlier his
tory. He took me by the arm and led me to
the grand painting of the ''Embarkation of
the Pilgrims" where William Brewster,
with an open Bible in his hands is leading in
prayer company of the Pilgrims, men, wo-
men and children, kneeling about him on
the deck of the Mayfower. "Here," said
the senator, in his earnest tone,ss.is where it
all began. Here is the source and inspira-
ton of the whole controversy. And here is
where we are to come for doctrine and law"
A few minutes later returned to the SEN
ate Chamber and found Mr.. Morrill, in his
place, and joining in the warm debate with
ringing appeal for Justice, Liberty and
righteousness, and tracing the roots of his
argument back TO the sublime purpose and
heroic sacrifices of the Pilgrim Fathers. In
their name and for their cause which, by in
heritance was our rich legacy, he demanded
the enforcement of Liberty and the estab-
lishment of Justice.
James G. Blaine is of Scotch Irish blood
perhaps the best blood that has come to us
from the old country; at any rate the most
thrifty. Mr.. Blaine is man of good figure,
erect, round, full, tipping the scales ordina-
rily at little more than 200; but when in
deadly earnest weighing a ton. With the full
gray eye and prominent nose, which SO Of
ten mark the Captains among men. His
.stubby hair and close-cropped beard, much
grayer than his years should warrant. With
the quick, strong stride and bearing of the
man who has confidence in himself-for
James G. Blaine is emphatically that man.
Mr.. Blaine has not only faith in himself
but uubounded faith in HE country; be-
lieves that she is, and by right, at the head
of the nations; and should be an active, pos
tive power in the lead of civilization, and in
the protection of free principles everywhere.
He holds with st. Paul, that the strong
should bear the infirmities of the weak. Mr..
Blaine believes that the time is ripe for Lib
erty; that the day for the peoples rule has
come; aud that Republican Government
should be an aggressive power, rather than
a suppliant at the feet of palsied despotism.
His coming into the Senate Chamb was
like breezy March morning. He brought
with his presence an air of fresh life; the
breath OF out-of-doors, of the fields, of the
workshop, of the exchange, of intercourse
with the people. He made no intimation of
saying, by your leave, gentlemen; but came
as by right-caring little for the dignifed
and solemn ways of those venerable Sena-
tors, bnt hurrying in as if it were Maine
town meeting. And in the same manner
he rushed into debate, right and left, dealing
hard blows on all sides, and taking them
without ever murmur. Old Senators,
shocked at his lack of Difference and pro-
voked at his temerity, cudgelled him with
downright bitterness-but never a bitter
word 10 return-indeed, no word in reply,
but going right on arith the ottdck-and in
his OVID free way. A man of a great deal of
knowledge, and ON all subjects. He seems
to absorb 1t through his finger-ends and all
the fbres of his being. And he classifies it
and lays it away, always ready for imme-
diate use. Always equipped for battle.
Never falling back to his entrenchments-
but accepting the gage of war wherever prof
fered. He is the pluckiest man living
fears no opponent, nor combination of oppo-
nents, and usually wins; and chiefly because
of his supreme faith in himself. In fierce,
excited, rushing debate, he has no equal.
James G. Blaine is born leader-and the
popular heart responds to his leadership be-
cause he treads with resolute step the adj
vanced lines of thought and action-and
takes counsel of his Hopes, rather than of
his Fears.