Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-06-12


James Gillespie Blaine, OF Ma Ie. the
chosen by the party 10 'eceive
The votes of the Republicans ot IT, Uni
led States for President in November
next, is dear to the hearts of the Re
publicans of the Nation for his political
vigoI, his wisdom and elUqueDcr, and
lis steadfast adherence to party priuci
pies at all times. He is but "a years OF
age, yet 26 of them nave BEEN devoted 10
he interests of the Republican, party.
He vas LOrn in Washington ounty, Pa,
Januar, 3lst. 1880. on Indian Hill farm,
the home of his mothers father, Neal
Gillespie. lie .'aine from the chuicrst
uf the Old blood 81 he States, his great
grandfath, r, Col. EpiIraim Blaine, of tie
Keystone State, having served AS Com
missary General of The Revolutionary
army during live OF the hardest years %
that army's life-from l71S to l7S:i.
Washingtur himself spoke of the Ser
vices render,u 10y G. /. ijltim- during the
heroes ui the arut IL Valley Forge.
James u. D.aIAUs father was born al
Carlisle, Pa, and cared for the boys
early education himself. But he died
ucfure il was finished, and Young Blaine
came to ONO iJr ills schooling, and
lived at Lancaster, Fairfield County, i'll
the family of his relative, tIUn. Thomas
Ewing, al that time Srrrrtary of th-
Treasury. EuI, ..IaIDe WAS a hand
some, engaging h0y, and bright stu
dent. He attended Washington college
and graduated at the aye ut seventeen
with the highest hOnOr5 of his class. On
leaving school the youug graduate
taught for some months in the schools
Of southern Uhi" Nix. kentucky, wrote
for the press ahu In his spare Tine stu
died law. His liking for journalism
Increased, and though IA deep student
aid acquiring profound knowledge OF
the Law, he never practiced ii. ln 1888
he went to Maine, but not before he had
taken to himself wife. She was bright
and Lrrtty Harriet StanwUod, d Massa
chusetts school teacher, and much of
Mr. Blaine's success in life has been due
10 his wife's cooperation with him in
his work. NewspIpe' Work took him
10 Maine to become the editor of The
Portland Advertiser, and later he took
c.,a:ge of the Krnnehec Journal. He
q as % when he assumed control of
lac latter newspaper, and from the day
lis work began he became prominent in
politics. At 25 he was prominent as one
of Tue leaders in the councils of tue Re
publicans and WAS 50 recognized by such
statesmen rs Fessenden, Hamlin and
Morrill, When % years old he was
chalrman ii the Republican state Exec
utive Comlul.t.,- a. d h. held that posi-
tiOn unintPrrupleuly untll hs elevation
to the Cabinet of President James A.
Garfield. From it he has practically
directed the campaigns of the Republic
cans of Maine, how brilliantly history
and recollection tell. He was elected to
he Ma ne Legislature in 1888 and served
four Wars therein, the last Two wears as
Speaker Gf tbs cody. In 1862 James G.
Blaine as elected 10 the Both Congress
10y small majority, and was sent to the
39th, 40th, 4lst, 42d and 43i Congresses,
each time by increasing rhajorities.
FrOm-the first he commanded the atten
lion of the House. ard during his second
term began tu be recognized as an able
debaIer, finally became leader OF the Re-
publicaus, and was elected Speaker of
the 42d and 4Sd Congresses.
He presided as no Speaker since Hen
~ Clay had done. SO line WAS his knowi-
edge OF the rules OF the House, and su
instructive -and complete his interpreta-
zion of parliamentary law. The DEBATE
un the attempt of the Confederate brig
adierf OF tht Southern States 10 remove
the disabilities of jefferson Davis, dur
ing which he both presided and spoke
againt the bill, added 10 his fame and
rrpui alton as ii presiding officer and Il
brilliant debater. In 1876 Mr. Blaine
was appointed by Gov. Selden CunnOI.
of Maine, 10 lili the unexpired term in
the United States Senate Of l.. t NJ. Nor
ri who had accepted the Treasury
portfolio rendered him 10y President
Grant. When the legislature of Maine
met, he was reel, c'-d not only to fill The
uneXpired term ol Senator Morrill,. but
also for the full term coming after il
Ind ending March 4th. 1888. Mr. Riaine
WAS the leading candidate for the Pres
Idency before the Union Republican
National Convention ut Cincinnati, Ohio,
June I4Ih, 1876. The convention chose
Rutherford B. HAYES. IF Ohio, as it's
nulGinee on the 7th ballot, when James
G. Blaine pelled 35l zutes against 34S
for Hayes. He WAS one of the most
jealous supporters and energetic work
ers for the Republican Presidential
ticket-Hayes and Wheelpr-and after
It's triumphant election Mr. Blaine re-
gan his term in the United States Sem
ate. Ia that body his brilliant career
AS Il stai esman WAS continued. buth in
council and dehate e. and whe- President
Garfield was nominated at CHICAGO il
was Blaine, more than any man, who
Was Instrumental in swinging the votes
gwen him into line Ia defeat he Grant
Camer0n-L -L"gan-Conk!ing combination.
In 1880 he left that body to accept the
portfolio of State under President Gar
field. for hose ele"tion Mr.. Blaine had
iabored with all his might. No man
WAS So rlose tn GaI field as Bl zine. and
when his death came Mr. Blaine laia
down his Office and refused Ia remain il,
the Cabinet of President Arthur. al
Though requested by the President 10
do 50.
JOHN A, LOGAN.