Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-12
Reminescence OF Mr.. Blaine.
L,J,fa, E.,n.b,. Tourn1I.

Editor kennebec Journal:
AUGUSTA. June 10, 1884.
In the brief biographical notice which ap-
peared in your issue of Saturday. accompany
ing the announcement of the nomination of
our honored tOwnsman to the Presidency, by
a majority much larger than was ever before
given to the successful candidate in the re-
publican convention, wherein the nomination
was seriously contested, you speak of his
election to the legislature of 1859, as the
commencement of his long and illustrious
political career. The writer's recollection,
shared. no doubt, with many of our older
citizens, is that, Mr.. Blaine became prom
inent and influential figure in the republican
party several years earlier than the date you
mention. Indeed he took an active part in
the creation and organization of that party
contributing to its illustrious record with pen
and voice. through the press, on the
platform, in the legislature, in Con-
gress, and in the cabinet, for more
than quarter of a century, and until his re-
tirement temporarily. let us hope and believe
from political life upon the death of Presi-
dent Garfield.
Among the interesting earlier incidents of
Mr.. Blaine's political career, not alluded to
by you, was his election a delegate from
this Congressional district to the first repub-
| lcan national convention, in May, 1856,
which Nominated Gen. John c. Fremont to
the Presidency. Upon his return from the
convention ratification meeting was held in
this city in Meonion Hall, and upon the
urgent insistence of some of his personal
friends (among the most enthusiastic of whom
NAV be named the late John II. Hartford,
Esq he was persuaded reluctantly, to ap
pear upon the platform and make report of
the doings of the convention This was his
l q I l. Sl,v, 6
age. Although remarkably ready and easy
of speech and holding practiced and power
| full pen, he had an almost uncOnquerable re-
pugnance to letting his voice be heard. ex
cept in familiar conversation where
| his brilliant powers of statement and
| argument, his marvellous memory of
dates and events in political history and his
acquaintance with, and keen estimate Of the
public men and parties of the day, were the
delight and wonder of all who listened to
him. The writer we'll recalls the trepidation,
at once painful and ludicrous with which he
rose to address the meeting. In confronting
the sea of faces, almost every one of which
was known to him, he seemed to be strug-
| Cling to master the terror that possessed
| him He turned pale and red by turns, and
almost tottering to the 'front.' he stood tremb-
ling until the generous applause which well
coined him had died away, when, by su-
/ preme effort he broke the spell, at first by
the utterance of some hesitating words of
greeting and thanks, and then gathering
confidence, he went on with a speech which
stirred the audience as with the sound of a
trumpet and held all present in breathless
interest and attention to its close. From
that moment Mr.. Blaine took rank among
the most effective popular speakers Of the
day; but it NAV be doubted il
among the many maturer efforts OF
his genius and eloqusnce upon the political
platform or the legislative tribune, he has
ever excited an audience to a more passion
ate enthusiasm or left q profounder impress
sion upon the minds and hearts of his hearers.
1t is very pleasant to recall the fact that the
writer. upon the occasion referred to, in
offering his congratulations to the youthful
debutant, predicted for him great success and
eminence in public life. He must acknowl-
edge, however, that it never entered his pro-
phetic head, that he should himself live long
enough to have the proud privilege of taking
by the hand again the old friend of nearly a
third of century. now grown gray in the
love and service of mis- ceuntry-honored and
exalted BY her for that love and service-and
congratulate him upon his nomination to the
highest post of public duty in the gift of that
country. by the great party of which he was
one of the fathers and founders. That he
will be triumphantly elected in November
next is the earnest prayer and profound belief
of all who love and admire him as a mar
and statesman. H.