Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-08-03

The radical wing of the Republican party,
led by Stanton and Chase in the cabinet,
caused differences which induced Mr.. Blair
to tender his resignation, which Mr.. Lin
coin did not accept for some time, and then
with expressions of continued confidence.
Mr.. Blair was always conservative and also
firm and courageous. The first public meet
ing in Maryland to agitate the repeal OF the
obnoxious registry law Of 1854 was address
ed by him. He was president of the State
convention called for the same purpose, and
presented the resolutions adopted by the
body to the Legislature, but it was without
effect. He, with many other earnest and
patriotic men and the effective aid of por-
ton of the press, continued the struggle
until victorious. Mr.. Blair counseled the
submission of the constitutionality of the
test oath to the Supreme Court and argued
the case, which was carried then success
fully. He was member of the Legislature
of 1878, was chairman of the judiciary com
mittee, and introduced the resolutions which
were passed denouncing the seating of Hayes
as president. He was always an ardent adj
vocate of Mr. Tildens nomination by the
Democratic party, was the first or one Of
the first to suggest him for the presidency,
and had Mr.. 1ilden's confidence to as great
an extent perhaps as II was ever given to
any man. In 1880 Mr. Blair attended the
Cincinnati Democratic National Conven-
ton, not as a delegate, but as an envoy of
Mr.. Tilden and by his request He bore a
letter giving Mr.. Tilden's consent to accept
nomination cordially rendered, but OF Gin
cinnati Mr.. Blair was met by telegram
and another letter Withdrawing that con-
sent. He Immediately packed up his papers
and returned home in dudgeon, for he was
very confident Mr.. Tilden could have Sc
cured the nomination, and that his election,
as he often said afterwards, would have fol-
lowed for he would have carried New York,
which was all that was necessary with the
other votes that were sure. Mr.. Blair edited
the Union, a central Democratic organ in
Washington, started late in 1876 to advo-
cate Mr.. Tildens claims to the presidency.
He was also one of the counsel representing
Mr. Tilden before the 8-to-7 electoral COM
mission.
The last time Mr.. Blair was before the
people for office was as the Democratic can
didate for Congress in the Sixth District of
Maryland, November, 1889. He made an
active and vigorous campaign, but was de-
feated by Mr.. McComas, the Republican can
didate, whose majority was ,2S0. The ex-
ertions of the campaign and the disappoint-
ing result had depressing influence on his
health, which had begun to fail before the
campaign
1t is fact not generally known that on the
death of Chief Justice fancy Mr.. Blair was
the choice of Mr.. Lincoln for that position,
and he had resolved to send his name to the
Senate, when the Ohio delegation made n
dead set at him to appoint Chase, then Sec
rotary OF the Treasury, and he yielded to the
pressure.
Mr.. Blair was prominent member of the
bar of the Supreme Court, and was always
greeted with cordiality by his brother law
yers, Democratic or Republican, for all re-
spected him for the sincerity of his convic-
tons and his steadfast devotion in friend
ship. lie was devoted friend, and no
labor was too great and no time inoppor-
tune to serve his friends He was always
accessible and affable, rarely forgetting the
face of man he once conversed with.
He leaves widow, who was a daughter
of Hon. Levi Woodbury., of New Hamp-
shire, Jackson's Secretary of the Treasury,
and Judge of the Supreme Court His
children are three sons, two of them law
yers in Washington, and daughter He
had two brothers, James Blair and Gen
Frank p. Blair, the Democratic candidate
for Vice President on the Seymour and
Blair ticket in 1868 Montgomery Blair, it
has been said, was loved by every man
woman and child in the community in
which he lived, for everybody knew him
for the active part he took not only in pub
lie affairs, but in agriculture, the church,
and the interests of good neighborhOod
He introduced blooded stock and improved
methods of farming He matte extensive
and successful experiments in ensilage.