The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-07-10
JACKSON, OHIO THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1884.

| would do we'll IN any uepdrIueH'
where economy and judicious manage.
ment are required. He has scholarly
talent, in the direction of literature
and practical science. And if he had
devoted himself to medicine and
surgery, he would have made an emf
nent teacher in that field of inquiry
As a lawyer or legislator, and as a
business man, he would see quickly
and clearly, and go straight on to the
accomplishment of his purposes with
force and vigor, with tact, sagacity,
and uncommon self-reliance."
From 1862 Mr.. Blaine has been a
representative of his State in Con-
gress, and almost from the first con-
spicuous as man of positive opinions,
and bold and aggressive in their as
sertion.
He was born at Indian Hill, WASH
ington county, Pennsylvania, January
81, 1880, his ancestors being among
the early settlers of that State, from
the North of Ireland, but having a
large infusion Of Scottish blood in
their veins. Ephraim Blaine, his
great-grandfather was honorably dis
tinguished as an officer during the
Revolutionary war, and it is said that
the preservation of the Federal army
while stationed at Valley Forge, from
the horrors of starvation, was in a
great degree owing to his exertions.
At the age of twelve he was sent to
school in Lancaster, Ohio. where he
lived in the family of Mr.. Thomas
Ewing, a relative of his father. A
year later he entered Washington
College. where he was graduated in
1947. In 1850 he became teacher
in the military academy at Blue Lick
Springs, Kentu-ky A few years
later he returned to Pennsylvania and
studied law, but never practiced it.
In 1858 he went to Maine, where he
commenced literary career, finding
employment as editor on the Kenne-
bee Journal, and subsequently on the
Portland Advertiser. In these con-
nections he pursued no negative course
in matters of a political nature, and
being aided by influential relatives on
the side of his wife, he was soon re-
garded as rising exponent of Repub-
lican principles.
In 1858 he was nominated and
elected for membership in the State
Legislature from the city Of Augusta,
and served two years. Then he was
chosen speaker Of the House, and
filled that position with ability and
credit until 1862, when he was elected
by good majority to Congress, and
took his seat at its thirty-eighth ses-
sion. In this new legislative field he
found ample range for his vigorous
intellect, and taking an advanced
stand among the promoters of the
war for the Union, he soon began to
be regarded as leader on the Repub-
lican side. His course proving very
acceptable to his Maine constituency,
he was reelected repeatedly. On his
election to the Fortieth Congress, he
received as the candidate of the Union
Republicans, IA, 900 votes, against his
opponents $500.
In June, 1876, Mr.. Blaine was
appointed to fill the vacancy in the
United States Senate, caused by the
resignation Of Mr.. Morrell, of Tariff
who had been made Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, and the next
year he was elected for the full term
of six years. In 1880 he was put for
ward with great earnestness by a
large constituency as "a candidate for
the Presidential nomination, and
would Eprobably have been the candi-
date Of his party had not the persist
ency Of the Grant faction rendered
it expedient for the Blaine men to
unite with the opponents of Grant in
the selection of the unfortunate Gar
field. For a short time he held the
portfolio of Secretary Of State, but
the death of Mr.. Garfield, and the
succession Of Mr.. Arthur brought
about change in the Cabinet, and
the retirement of Mr.. Blaine. Into
the controversies of political leaders
it is not our purpose to go-they are
topics that are discussed with the
broadest latitude by the newspapers.
Nor is it expedient that we refer to
incidents in Mr.. Blaine's life that are
alleged to sully his reputation for
straig ghtforward, manly conduct. A
small foible in a leading politician is
magnifed by his enemies into capl-
tai sin, and that which shows him to
be but a mortal among mortals, is
often construed in terms bordering
on the demoniac by enyious and dis
politicians.
In appearance, Mr.. Blaine is far
from commonplace. He is above the
medium height, yet with frame so
strongly and compactly built that he
does not seem tall. Upon a we'll
rounded and powerful trunk, his large
and well-developed head is set, with
its strong, expressive, and really hand
some features. His eyes are brilliant
and keen, their expression of vigilance
being increased by the deep, over
hanging brows. A writer whose po-
litical leaning is toward the side in
opposition to the motives and meas
ures of the Maine statesman, thus de-
scribed him when engaged in debate:
when he rises to speak you are at
once impressed with his wonderful
vigor, vitality, nerve-power: He Is
quick, agile, and strong in his move
ments, stepping backward and forward
in the aisle as argument leads him IN
aggressive movements toward his op-
ponents or persuasive efforts with his
friends. He treads lightly, but firm
ly; his gestures, if studied, became
second nature to him long ago, and
are now made with unconscious grace
and strength, and he emphasizes a
point with either hand in a mastery
way that would indicate some practice
with the boxing-gloves. His style of
speaking is clear, rapid, vigorous: The
magnetism of his audience and the
spirit Of the occasion thrill and enkin-
die him, and he dashes impetuously on
in his argument. Not little of his
influence Is due to his rich, manly