Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-08-03
DEA TIL OF .LUDGE BLAIR.

his late residence, Silver Spring, this county,
in the list year of his age, removed from
active life the surviving prominent member
of distinguished and historic family, and
though the language of eulogy would APP
pear to have been exhausted from the vol
umes which have been spoken by the press
of the country, still with saddened pleasure
we turn aside from our duties to pay an
humble tribute to the life, services and mem
DRY of the distinguished dead.
1t will not be denied that historians and
biographers love to trace in beautiful colors
the lineage of those whose lives have been
heroic, and whose services have been emf
nent and patriotic-where grace added to
virtue, when it descends from sire To son,
and the legacy of a spotless name bequeathed
with increasing splendor to succeeding
heirs
Looking back upon a life rounded out
with labor diligently performed, and duties,
both private and public, honestly and con
scientiously discharged-the varied expert
ence, distinguished ability, high integrity
stainless honor, restless energy, fidelity to
duty and rare unselfshness are some of the
many outlines which were prominently por.
trayed in the long public life Of the de-
ceased.
In no place was Judge Blair better known
than in Montgomery county, and 1t may be
said with equal truth and force, in no place
were the noble qualities of his mind and
heart better appreciated His ncighbors
were his friends, his fellow-citizens were his
companions, and his associates walked arm
and arm with him. In all the relations of
life he was "the born gentleman" courteous
generous, liberal and warm-hearted.
As citizen he was patriotic and devoted
to the Constitution and form of government
and labored earnestly and zealously for the
Inauguration Of every measure that had in
view the development Of the material inter-
ests of his State and county.
Asapublc official he appreciated that he
was but the agent of the people, and was,
therefore, laborious, diligent and faithful in
the discharge of every trust confided to him
and of every obligation imposed upon him.
Without pretending to the polish of the
rhetotrician, or the arts and grace of the
orator, he was an earnest and effective de-
batter, and if he never hit the mark at the
first shot he hit near ii, and by continuous
repetition he finally demolished the breast.
works of his enemy. AS political writer,
he had no superior in the country.
1t was known TO the intimate friends Of
Judge Blair that his health was delicate and
had been for some time, and many of his
earnest political supporters were afraid that
he would be unable to meet the heavy and
close engagements of his Congressional cam
paign. This, however, he did with his
usual ability and earnestness. 1t was not
until after the usual excitement of heated
canvass had subsidized that the fatigue and
exposure to which he had been Subjected
commenced its work, and although attend
ed by the best medical skill and supported
by every social home comfort, it soon has
tened a disease which under milder and less
arduous circumstances would not have been
developed for years.
Mems lives are valuable as they inculcate
ideas, or as they exemplify splendid virtues,
or as they teach valuable lessons, and it is
to be iondly anticipated that as our lives
speed onward and the years go by in the
solemn procession of the ages, they shall
bring the same love of free institutions and
honest government, the same hatred and
contempt of corruption and misrule, the
same exalted patriotism, the same purity OF
heart and mind which characterized this
distinguished man. As the mother of the
Gracchi, when asked for her Jewels, pointed
TO her sons, SO do an intelligent people re-
gard one Of their midst whose private life
presents stainless escutcheon, while the
mirror Of his public record reflects only the
images of truth, virtue and patriotism.
In the unclouded stiffness of last Sabbath
afternoon the solemn cortege bore the re-
mains OF Judge Blair from his beautiful
home and all its social endearments to St.
Paurs church, at Rock Creek cemetery,
where after the usual ceremonies, they were
inferred in the family vault In accordance
with the wish of the deceased there was no
unnecessary display.
The subjoined sketch of his life we take
from the Baltimore Sun:
He was the last signer of the emancipa-
ton proclamation, which was signed by all
the cabinet as well as by the President
Lincoln, johnson, Seward, Chase, Stanton,
Wells, Caleb Smith, Bates, all passed away
before Mr.. Blair, who was Lincoln's first
Postmaster General.
He was born in Franklin county Ken
lucky, May 10, 1873 Ills father, Francis
Preston Blair, ST., was the friend and ad-
wiser of President jackson, and edited the
Washington Globe. On the maternal side
Montgomery Blair was descended from noted
Maryland and Virginia families, among the
distinguished members Of which were Gen.
Nathaniel Gist and Col. Archibald Cary, of
Virginia; Col John Eager Howard and
james Calhoun, first mayor of Baltimore.
Mrs. Wilson Nj. Cary, of Baltimore, mother
Of Wilson M. Cary, deputy clerk of the
Crlminal court, was relative of Mr.. Blair.
Through his maternal relatives, the Carys,
MIR. Blair was related to Thomas Jefferson,
Mrs. w NJ. Cary being the daughter Of a
nephew OF jefferson.
lie was graduate of West Point, and
served with the rank of lieutenant in the
Seminole war in Florida. He resigned his
commission in the army in 1886, studied law
IN the Pennsylvania University, and began
the practice of law at st. Louis. In 1885 he
was appointed by President Van Buren, dis.
trict attorney for Missouri. In lS45 he be-
came Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
He also edited Benton paper while living
In Missouri In 1858 he removed TO Mary.
land, where his parents lived, where he re,
sided from that time. Besides his country
house at Silver Spring, he had a residence
In Washington city, where he spent the
winters, going to the country in summer,
lie acquired from his fathers Connection
with the political press a taste for politics.
IN which he showed great knowledge. sound
Judgment and acumen in tracing effects from
causes in party action. He was a Democrat
until after the repeal of the Missouri com.
promise by Mr.. Douglass Kansas and Ne.
braska bill in 1854 and other measures. He
was solicitor of the Court of Claims during
Pierces administration. He was counsel far
bred Scott in that famous case ae ,val 80