Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-07-05
THE MAINE STATESMAN
TUE WAINsI NTATES MAN
Nominated for President on the Fourth
Ballot,
Amid q Perfect Hurricane of Unclaimed
Enthusiasm.
The Blainetes Roll Up 55i Votes and the Nom
inatOn is Made Unanimous.
John A. Logan Chosen MS Vice President by
AcclamatiOn.
James Gillespie Blaine.


If there is one man in this country who has
attracted public attention, more than another,
during the past decade, that man is the sub
ject of this short notice. He was born at the
Indian Hill farm, West Brownsville, Washn z
ton county, PENNSYLVANIA, January 81, 1880
His great grandfather, Ephraim Blaine, was a
Colonel in the Pennsylvania Line, and Com
missary General during the Revolutionary
War; or at least that period from l1iS, to 1888.
James g. Blaine was educated principally in
Washington County, though lac lived for a
time during his bOyhood, in the family, at Ian
caster, Ohio, of that eminent statesman,
Thomas Ewing, late Secretary of the United
States Treasury. With his cousin, the present
General Thomas Ewing he was for time
under the tutelagc of an Engishman named
William Lyons, and uncle of the late British
Minister at Washington. After full course
of study at Washington College, Pennsylvania,
which he entered in lS43 whore he was special
ly distinguished for his mathematical ability,
he graduated in lSi7.
His first vocation was teaching, becoming n
professor in the Western Military Institute, at
Georgetown, Kentucky, few miles from Lex
ingtOn. Here he spent two years, training his
mind for the logical reasoning for which he is
noted. Meantime he studied law, and was adj
mtted to the bar in Pennsylvania, he never
practiced the profession. Al this period of his
life he was a constant contributor TO news
papers and magazines, having an inherent love
for the profession of journalism.
In 1855, he went East, instead of West, as the
late Horace Greeley advised Hon. j. b. Grin
nell, and located in the Pine Tree State. Here
he assumed the editorship and control of the
Kennebcc (Maine) Journal.
Upon the formation of the Republican party,
in 1854, he threw himself into the cause and in
1919, was noucu as pOIItIcai spcaNer. NE
late Governor Kent, of Maine wrote of him as
follows: "Almost from the day of his assum-
ing editorial charge uf the Rcnncbec JOurnai,
at the early age of twentythrce, Mr. Blaine
sprang into position of great influence in the
politics and policy of Maine. AT twenty-five he
was a leading power IN the councils of the Pc
publican party, so recognized by Fessenden,
Hamin, the two Norris, and others then and
still prominent in the State. Before he was
twenty nine he was chosen Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Republican organ
ization in Maine-a position he has held ever
since, and from which he has practically
shaped and directed every political campaign
In the State-always leading his party to bril-
liant victory. Had Mr.. Blaine been New Eng
land born, he would probably not have re-
ceived such rapid advancement at SO early an
age, even with the same ability he possessed.
But there was sort Of Western dash about
him that took with us Down Casters; an eX-
preston OF frankness, candor and confidence
that gave him from the start very strong and
permanent hold on our people, and, as the
foundation of ALL pure character and mas
terly ability equal to all demands upon him. y
In 1858 he was chosen To the Legislature,
where he served four years, the two last as
Speaker Of the House, In 1862 he was chosen
a Representative in Congress, and from his en-
try into that body dates his national reputa-
tion. His fellowmembers were not long in
finding out that 'thc man from Maine" was
fully able to measure lances with the best men
In Congress. His mind was fully equipped, he
had n remarkable retentiye memory, a consti-
tuition that enabled him To do IA vast amount of
work, and, withal, was earnest in his convic-
uf ntn his hnl a
Mr. Blaine has never been accused of evading
responsibility, or the expression of his opinion
on any public question. In short, he is, and
always has been, n positive man.
When only thirty-nine years of age, in the
year 1869, he was chosen Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, having, since
the death of Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsyl-
vania, been regarded rs the leader OF his party
upon the floor. Mr. Blaine distinguished him
self by his thorough knowledge of parlamen
tary rules, his quickness, firmness and inn
pressve manner. He held the Speakership un
III March 1STh aud at the close of each Con.