The daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1884, 1884-06-07
JAMES G. BLAINE.
The Country Editor, The Statesman and
Our Next President.

Mr.. Blaine was born at Indian Hill
farm, Washington county, Pennsylva-
MIA, Jan. 81, 1880. His great grand
father, Col. Ephram Blaine, was
friend of Washington, and had charge
of the commissariat of the Revolu-
tioaary forces during the terrible win
ter which they passed at Valley Forge.
At the age of II, Blaine was sent to
school in Lancaster, Ohio, where he
lived in the family of his relative, Hon.
Thomas Ewing, then secretary of the
treasury. One year later he entered
Washington college, where he gradu- |
ated at the head of large class in
1847. In 1850 he went to Kentucky |
as teacher in the military academy
at Blue Lick Springs. Here he
met Miss Stanwood, a Massa-
chusetts girl, who subsequently became
his wife. In the course of year or
two Blaine made up his mind that
teaching school wasn't his forte, and
he went back to Pennsylvania. He
then studied law, but never practiced
it. In 1853 he removed to Maine and
there began his public career. With
aid from his wife's relatives he became
the editor of the kcnnebec Journal,
and in the course Of few months he
moved to Portland, where he edited
the Adcerfiser. His position and
family connections soon brought him
into prominence politically. In 1858
he was elected TO the Maine legislature.
lie was five times reelected, and in
1861 and 1862 was chosen speaker of
the house, in which position he eX-
hibited the same excellent qualities
aiterward displayed as speaker of the
national house of representatives.
In 1862 Mr.. Blaine was elected TO
congress. During his first term he
gave himself up to study and observa-
ton, but in the next congress, the
thirty-ninth, he gained some prOmi-
ncnce, and from that time to the end
of his career he occupied a foremost
place among the republican leaders.
II was about this time that Blaine ran
afoul of Roscoe Conkling and alluded
TO him in debate as turkey cock, an
epithet so apt that Conkling never
forgave it. During the period Of
southern reconstruction Blaine made
many speeches that attracted much
attention and spread his fame rs an
orator. In the forty-tirst, forty-scc-
ond and forty-third congresses he was
elected speaker of the house. In this
capacity he showed ready knOwl
edge of parliamentary usage and a
fairness and unpartiality in his rulings
that won him general praise fir ON both
parties.
When the country began to look
around for man 10 succeed Grant in
the White House it was impossible to
overlook Blaine His prominence in
the house, the popular applause that
his bold, aggressive, and brilliant Ca
reer as a leader had secured at once
suggested him as one of the most avail
able candidates. For Il year or two
previous to the Cincinnati convention
of 1876. everything favored Blaine in
his efforts TO push himself for the NOM
nation. For the first time since the
war the democrats had possession of
the house of representatives. This
was Blainc's opportunity. He thrust
himself forward rs a plumcd knight
battling for the rights of the royal
north against the designing and evil
minded rebels from the south. The
democrats grew furious, and said and
did many foolish things. Everything
served Blaine One of the principal
incidents of the session was his set-to
with Ben Hill, of Georgia. Provision
had been made in the pension bill for
all veterans of the Mexican war. This
would have included JEFF Davis. On
him the Maine orator unbOttled his
oratorical wrath, goading Hill into a
hasty aud ill-considcred reply that con-
tanned many things unplcasing to
northern ears.
The Sunday before the Republican
National convention was TO meet at
Cincinnati Blaine started for church At
Washington in company with Miss
Dodge, a relative. The day was in
tensely warm. just rs they reached
the door Blaine fell to the ground rs
if dead. A large crowd collected
around him. A carriage was called
and he was carried home in an appar-
entity unconscious condition.
Blaine's illness told against hin, il,
the convention, for it gave his enemies
there chance to urge that he was II
broken-down man and that it wouldn't
do to nominate him. AT one time il
seemed as if he were certain to he
nominated. But the influence of his
ancient enemy. Conkling, was at
work, and the convention finally drop
ped him and nominated Hayes.
In June, 1876, Blaine was appointed
to fill the seat in the senate vacated by
Lot Nj. Morrill,, who had been made
secretary of the treasury, and in Janu-
airy, 1877. he was elected for the full
term ending March 4, 1888.
The history of the struggle in the
Chicago convention of that year need
not be retold here 4: ii is too well re-
membcred. The "old guard" remain
ed steadfast to Grant, nobody would
reinforce the Insult cient Blaine dele
gates. and the prize went to dark
horse-Garfield.