The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-06-18

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field. II. ]. Ramsdell, writing O
him in Congress four years ago
said: For nearly 10 years l have
looked down from the galleries o.
the House and Senate, and | never
saw, and never expect to gee, and
never have read of such a scene
where the grandeur of human effort
was better illustrated than when
this great orator rushed down the
aisle, and, in the very face of Proctor
Knott, charged him with suppress
ing telegram favorable to Blaine.
The whole floor and all the galleries
were wild. with excitement. Men
yelled and cheered, women waved
their handkerchiefs and went of
into Mysteries, and the floor was lit
tie less than a mob"
In 1876 Mr.. Blaine was appointed
United States Senator to fill the va.
cancy occasioned by the resignation
of Lot NJ. Morril, appointed Secreta-
ry of the Treasury under Hayes and
stepped frem the lower to the up
per House. He was reelected for
the full term, but retired when call
ed to Garfield's Cabinet as Secreta-
ry of State. In that position he IN
augurated "a vigorous foreign poll
cy," which excited some criticism,
yet had a vigor and justice in it,
characteristic of the man, and which
bat for the meddling ofofiieious per-
sons who failed to properly grasp
his policy or appreciate his pur-
pose, would undoubtedly have been
grand success. His object was to
pacify the warning republics ofSouth
America, hoping thereby to prevent
the lamentable scenes that followed
at the same time hoping that our in.
teryention would lead to desirable
commercial relations. Before his
plans were matured Garfield died
and Blaine retired from the Cabinet.
Since then he has kept entirely
aloof from politics, devoting the
most of his time to the literary work
involved in the preparation of his
great book, Twenty Years of Con-
gress,"a wsrk which demonstrates
the wonderful versatility, discrimi-
nation, and judgment of the author
HIS PRIVATE LIFE
is as charming as his public life is
grand and brilliant. He has de-
lightful home, characterized by re-
finement and taste, adorned by vir-
tue and unclouded affection. Mrs.
Blaine is a charming woman and a
model wife and mother, woman OF
strong judgment. perceptions, and
marked moral courage, a fit COM
panion for such man. They have
six children, three boys and three
girls, all possessing more or less OF
the characteristics of their parents.
Mr., Blaine is the companion and
confdant of every member of his
family. His children trust him i'm
plicitly, as he does them. His
house at Washington and his old
home at Augusta, Me-, are models
of good taste, elegance, and COM
fort.
AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.
In 1876 Mr.. Blaine was promi-
nent candidate for the Presidency
before the Republican National
Convention, at which time Robert
G. Ingersoll made his wonderful
nominating speech, in which he de-
signated him as the Plumed Knight
In 1880 he was again a candidate
before the National Convention,
which nominated Garfield as a com
promise candidate between the war.
ring giants. Without seeking the
nomination or making singular
intimation that he desired it, bi;
friends pushed his claims so vigor'
ously and skillfully as to carry him
to the front as the standard bearer
of his party. And a better one, OF
one that would excite more enthusi
asm, could not have been found.
THE MAN AND HIS FAMILY.
Mr.. Blaine is now in his fifty-fftf
year. Although aboye medium
height, he is so compactly and pow
erfully built that he scarcely seems
tall. His features are large and ex
pressive he is slightly bald, anG
his neatly trimmed beard is prema.
turely gray; his brows are lowering
his eyes keen. On the floor o
Congress he manifested marvelou!
power and nerve. His voice is rich
and melodious his delivery is fiuen
and vigorous; his gestures are full
of grace and force his self-posses
sion is never lost. He has appeared
on the stump in almost every North
ern State, and is an exceedingly pop
ular and effective campaign orator
His faculties have keen edge; his
memory is remarkably retentive
and his practical knowledge of mer
and affairs has broad range. Thi:
comprehensive knowledge, broao
rather than deep, is one 0. the Sc
crets of his popularity. He knows
men from one end of the country tc
the other, and he knows what they
are thinking about. He has KEEP
abreast with the average thought
of his time-not about it or be
low it.
Mr.. Blaine was not poor mar
when he entered congress in 1868
and he is not millionaire now
For twenty years be has owned
valuable coal tract of several hun
dred acres near Pittsburgh. Thi!
Yielded him a handsome income
many years before he entered con
grsss, and the investment has been {
profitable one during his public
| life. His business affairs have beer
managed with prudence and shrewd
ness, and he now has handsome
fortune. His home in Augusta, neal
the State House, is a plain two-story
house. Several institutions in the
State have received benefaction:
from him, and his charity and gen
erosity are appreciated at home. In
his own house he is man of culture
and refinement, genial host, 9
courteous gentleman.
The eldest son, Walker Blaine, i:
a graduate of Yale college and of the
Law school of Columbia college
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