The Portland daily press., 1884-07-26
New Publications.
CAMPAIGN n1oaRApH1ns.


1t is only about six weeks since the Republi-
can convention nominated Blaine and Logan,
and already there are upon our table two vol
ume5 each containing very full and readable
biography OF the two candidates. The first t o
Do received was handsome book bound in
| cloth. highly decorated in black and gold col
| ors, published by E. @. Allen q Co. of Angus
| ia. This Is written by Russell III. Conwell,
| who has had much experience in this sort OF
work. 1t is not kind to be critical of the liter
airy quality OF work done SO hastily; and per-
sons who are more concerned to get at the sub
| stance than to delight in the style will not
much mind how the facts are presented If
| there are enough of them. Col. Conwell is
person who writes with great enthusiasm and
| huency and has knack at eulogy. We re-
member an astonishing life of General Butler
written by him as campaign document Just
before one of that gentleman's attempts to OBJ
tain the Republican domination for Governor
oil Massachusetts, III which it was grayely as
serted that when this saint ia politics should
pass from earth he would be mourned more
generally and sorrowfully than any one in the
memory of this generation. This recollection
makes us somewhat distrustful of Col. Con-
wells discrimination as a hiogrspher. How
ever, campaign biographies are not intended to
be discriminating, and nobody looks for
profound and philosophical Judgment. They
are Intended to give information to those who
are seeking Tor il and to stimulate the enthusi-
asm and admiration of people who are not nice
in their literary judgments. In this instance
We recognize that ereat industry has been ex-
ercised in obtaining the facts which are i'm por-
tant In relation to Mr. Blaine and General Lo-
gan as candidates, and the author had the ad-
vantage OF assistance from many intimate
friends of Mr.. Blame, to whose career the
larger part of the book is devoted His eariy
lie AMI its conditions is sketched as fully as il
necessary, ard his early triumphs as journalist
and pollrclau. From the date of Mr.. Blaine's
election 10 Congress the record of his vublic
services and progress IL not difficult 10 trace.
and the reader will find here pretty complete
and accurate setting forth of the things he has
had hand In bringing to pass, with copi-
Gus extracts from ana speeches, and an &C
Count OF his personal traits and manner
Of life ALI this hils about $50 pages, and so
pages more are occupied with a sketch OF the
Candidate Tor Vice President. Governor Ro-
Die contributes Warm-hearGed and admiriug
introduction, III which he testifies strongly
from MS personal acquaintance aud association
with Mr.. Blaine, to Ills great ADJ ity aud the
Integrity oil his private aud public life, Elk.
cellent steel engravings OF the .cAndidate
AND some atrocIous illustrations are lea
lures OF the book.
Another volume on the same subject comes
t. us from Philadelphia. It's first title is ''An
American Career and its Triumphs' The au-
thor Is William kalston Balch, journalist
who has had considerable successful expert
ence IN book making. This volume is not free
from the faults of It's class, but is a good book
Notwithstanding. 1t gives more attention than
the former one TO Mr.. BaInes Career as
journalist, quoting from tho flies of the Ksnne.
bee Journal number of his editorials, which
are III, eresting reading. MIR. Blaine's styls
now IS not what people would Call tame, but 1t
has lost something of It's youthful exuberance
Mr.. Balch also makes conspicuous MIR. Blaine's
devotion to the cause of protection, and not
satisfied with that, contributes chapter in
explanation of the theory and working OF the
protective tariff. In this. book General Lo-
CANS Career is treated more at length than in
the other.
Either of these books will give the reader a
great deal OF useful information about the Re-
publican candidates, and for the facts they
contain are desirable at the present time. Al
least one more biography is promised, aud
may be expected to appear soon.