Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-06-13
Who is Blainai

James G.. Blaine was born at Indian
Hill farm, Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, January 81, 1890; his great grand
father, Col. Ephram Blaine, was friend
of Washington, and had charge of the
commissariat of the Revolutionary for
ceS during the terrible winter which
they passed at Valley Forge. At the
age of II, Blaine was sent to school at
Lancaster, Ohio, where he lived in the
family of his relative, Hon. Thos. Ew-
ing, then secretary of the treasury. One
year later he entered Washington col
lege, where he graduated 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, q Massachusetts
girl, WOO subsequently became his wife.
In the course of year or two Blaine
made up his mind that teaching school
was not his forte, and he went back to
Pennsylvania. He then studied law,
but never practiced it. In 1853 he re-
moved to Maine and there began his
public career. With aid from his wifes
relatives he became the editor of the
Kennebec, Journal, and in the course of
a few months he moved to Portland,
where he edited the Advertiser. His
position and connections soon brought
him into prominence politically. In
1858 he was elected to the Maine legis-
lature. He was five times reelected,
and in 1861 and '62he was chosen speak
er of the house.
In 1862 Mr.. Blaine was elected TO con-
gress. During his first term he gave
himself up to study and observation,
but in the next congress, the thirty
ninth, he gained some prominence, and
from that time to the end of his career
he occupied foremost place among the
republican leaders. 1t 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, he,
Blaine made many speeches that attrac-
ted much attention and spread his fame
as an orator. In the 4lst, 42d and 43d
congresses he was elected speaker of
the house, and in this capacity he dis
played a ready knowledge of parliament
tary usage, and was popular officer.
When the republicans began to look
around for a man to succeed Grant in
the White House. it was impossible to
overlook Blaine. His prominence i'm the
house, the applause that his career as a
leader had secured among partisans, at
once suggested him as one Of the most
available candidates. For a year or two
previous to the Cincinnati convention
OF 1876, everything favored Blaine in
his efforts to push himself for the NOM
lnation. For the first time since the
war, the democrats had possession of
the house of representatives and Blaine
took advantage of being in the minori-
ty and made a fight for his side that ad-
ded much to his party standing. One
OF the incidents of this session was the
hot debate in which Ben. Hill said so
many foolish things, and which were so
eagerly repeated and exaggerated by the
republicans.
Sunday before the republican nation
al convention was to meet at Cincinnati
Blaine started for church at Washing
ton, in company with Miss Dodge. n
relative. The day was intensely warm.
and just as they reached the church, he
fell to the ground as if dead. He was
carried home and for days remained in
an unconscious condition.
This illness told against Blaine in the
national convention, for it gave his ene-
mics a chance t9 urge that he was a
broken-down man and that it wouldn't
do to nominate him. At one time it did
appear that he was certain of the nom
ination, but the influence of his ancient
enemy, Conkling, was at work, and the
convention finally dropped him and put
in Hayes.
In June, 1876, Blaine was appointed
to fill the seat in the senate vacated by
Morrill,, who had been made secretary
of the treasury, and in January TT he
was elected for the full term, ending on
the 4th of March 's3. When Arthur
was elected president he gave Blaine
the position Of secretary of state, but
he retired from the position soon after
Arthur took the presidential chair.
His candidacy before the Chicago con-
vention four years ago, his defeat by the
dark horse, Garfield, is not forgotten
and need not be referred to here.
Blaine has an interesting and cultur-
ed family, his wife being an exceeding
" bright woman, though not universal
ly popular in Washington, she being a
superior, in point Of intellect, to the
shallow-brained women who control the
Washington society.