The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-21


standing erect, he is a conspicuous figure in the
midst of those who gather about him. His hair
and whiskers, both closely cut, are white, with
just suggestion of former darker hue His
complexion is absolutely coorless but it has a
healthy, ell-preserved look The most notable
feature of his face is his eyes, which large,
very dark, and always expressive. His dress is
careful and in the best possible taste. He wears
adark suit of Clothes with coat of Prince Albert
cut, closely buttoned, and silk hat Person
ally, he is a most charming man. In being in
troduced to strangers, and he has probably been
presented to at least two hundred within the
last forty hours he is particular to inquire
the name and apparently he never forgets it.
For everybody he has a pleasant and afable
greeting and the conversation which follows is
always begun and directed by him.
His versatility is remarkable as
his information is great Few men. in
Indiana know more about the State, its resour-
ces, its history and its prominent men, than he
does, and those who have travelled with him say
that he knows just as much of all other States
through which he has passed. His speeches are
marvels of good taste, elegance and effective
ness. Thus far have heard him make a dozen
says something original and in such manner
az to make the greatest impression upon his
hearers. Instlnctively, it seems upon glancing
over a throng of people he understands any Pc
culiar local prejudees or beliefs to which they
may be subject and he has, above all other men,
that peculiar faculty of adapting himself to his
surroundings, so as to make both them and him
mutually agreeable In neither his speeches
nor ordinary conversation is he commonplace or
tedious, and he does not allow himself to become
embarrassed or annoyed. His power over
q crowd is striking A notable instance
of this was at Ann Arbor on Satur-
day There was very large crowd
of college boys at the station, hundreds of
whom were Democrats, and determined to in
tcrrupt the speech. When Mr.. Blaine began
there was such yelling and cheering that he
could not be heard, but in a few seconds he
alone could be heard. His first statement com
mauaed attention. for he asked question that
had a peculiar local significance; that is, be
wanted to know if those who heard him had
ever stopped to think why it was that college
graduates, at twenty, were nearly all outspoken
free-traders, ami why, at forty, they had be-
come outspoken protectionistsl That evidently
SET bIe crown 10 buluhiDtsY anu ouiih5 WIZ ~
mainder of his address, which was admira-
BILE presentation of the doctrine of protection,
he was not interrupted. When he had con-
Guided, there was an enthusiastic outburst of
cheering which I have never heard equaled.
This is only an instance for there were like
demonstrations every place he stopped The
man is wonder" said Mr.. Devine, the reporter
Of the Associated Press, who has been at his
side all summer. you can form no adequate
idea of the fertility of his resources,
his originality and his natural force.
have heard him make several
hundred speeches, and in every one he sur
prises me. In addition to all this work of
trveling and speaking, he keeps track of every
thing that is going in political way, receives
and sends hundIe eds Of letters and kilograms and
never becomes confused or ratified. With equal
opportunities and resources, think lie is moro
than match for any twelve politicians this
country has ever produced"
His capacity for work is wonderful. In his
car, while keeping up running conversation
with a dozen or more persons, and preparing
for his next speech if he does make any prepare
ton, which doubt, he besides reads his letters.
scores of papers and dictates answers His son
Walker, who actsas his secretary, is invaluable
assistant to him On the train, this morning.
Mr. Baines mail was brought to him, two dozen
or more letters and kilograms He glanced hur-
riedly over the collection, and quickly selected
one little unpretentious looking epistle, which
he read eagerly and anxiously. It
was letter from his wife, and
while he read he allowed nothing to distract his
attention from it When he had finished he at
once sat down to answer it, and this occupied his
attention for some time to the exclusion of all
other matters, while letters and kilograms
from distinguished men all over the country,
which might have contained information of the
greatest value to him, were left unanswered,
and even unopened for the time.
Mr.. Crawford, of the Chicago Tribune
aud New York Sum- who was with
the party said this morning: sit generally
up State and arouse that enthusiasm which is
sure to come 1t was this way in Ohio and
Michigan. but it seems different in Indiana.
Considering the size of the city, and the circum.
stances, the demonstration at South Bend
Saturday evening equaled, if it did not surpass,
anything of the kind we have yet seen. If that
is an indication of what it is to be throughout
Indiana, think we will see almost the entire
population of the Stale before we get through.
/ suppose we will have an overwhelming crowd
at Indianapolis" ! told him l thought there
was no doubt about that for I think 1 know
what hold Mr. Blaine has on the affections Of
the Hoosiers, and how they will turn out to greet
him.
MIR. Blaine's Best Speech.
Cath, in New York Tribune.
Mr. Blaine's most affecting and most interest