The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-06-21

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JAMES G.. BLAINE.
The Republican Candidate for Presi.
dent Of the United States.
James Gillespie Blaine, the nominee o1
the Republican party for President of the
United States, was born January 81, 1880
in Union township, Washington county
Pennsylvania. He comes from the notec
Scotch-Irish stock, his ancestors having
been among the pioneers who century
and half ago assembled the great limestone
valley in which Carlisle is situated, and
founded the village. The stone Presbyte.
rian church, which the second generation
built, is still standing, and near by is the
old-fashioned house where Mr.. Blaine's
grandfather, Colonel Ephraim Blaine, lived
for many years. This officer was originally
a Colonel of the Pennsylvania Line, but
during the last four years of the Revolution
he was Commissary General of the Northern
Department, and during the terrible win
ter at Valley Forge did his best to keep the
wolf of famine and destitution from the
American army's camp. Colonel Ephraim
Blaine's son, esquire Blaine y as he was
known in the community, was married to
Miss Gillespie, devout member Of the
Roman Catholic Church, but their seven
children-fve boys and two girls-adhered
to the traditional faith of the Blaines. The
second of these five sons was the subject of
this sketch, James Gillespie Blaine.
STUDENT AND TEACHER.
James entered Washington College in
1s43, being then thirteen years of age, and
became at once prominent as scholar
among the two or three hundred other lads
from all parts of the country, and because
of his splendid physique he was also a
leader in all manly athletic sports. He
was not a bookworin, or burner of mid
night oil, but he was close student and
possessed the happy faculty of assimilating
knowledge from books and tutors far
more easily and quickly than most of his
fellows. In debating societies he held his
own well, and was conspicuous by his abil-
ity to direct and control others.
At the end of the usual four years course
at College he was graduated, in 1847, with
the most distinguished honors of his class,
and went forth into practical life well
fitted in requirements and training to deal
with its problems, and bearing as a crown
of youthful honor the affection and esteem
Of all his associates.
From his alma mater young Blaine went
to Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, and be-
came professor in the Western Military
Institute, in which there were about $50
boys. Colonel Thornton F. johnson was
principal of the school, and his wife had
young ladies' school at Millersburg, twenty
miles distant. It was at this place that
Mr.. Blaine met Miss Stanwood, who be-
onged to an excellent family in Massa-
,husetts, and she afterward became his
wife.
After few years. work as teacher Mr..
Blaine returned to Pennsylvania and began
studying law. He read law carefully, and
obtained a thorough knowledge of its prin-
,iples, but never presented himself as
for admission to the bar.
EDITOR AND STATE POLITICAL LEADER.
Miss Stanwood was native of Maine
md after her marriage to Mr.. Blaine was
anxious for him to settle in that State
This he determined to do, and in 1853 the
roung couple removed to Augusta, where
hey have ever since made their home. In
he following year Mr.. Blaine entered into
with Joseph Baker, promi-
lent lawyer of that town, and the two pur-
hased the Kennebec Journal, of which
dr. Blaine at once became editor The
'ou,nal was weekly paper, one of the
'rgans of the Wing party, and exercised
considerable political influence. In 1857
dr. Blaine disposed of his interest in this
'aper and became editor of the Portland
)aily Adgertiser. In the campaign of 1860
10 returned temporarily to his old post on
he Ken5.ebec Journal On account of the ILL
less of its editor. His career in journal
SIN lasted only six years, but was marked
throughout by ability and success, and it
eryed to give him good introduction to
he world of politics and craftsmanship.
When the old Whig party went to pieces
dr. Blaine joined hands with Governor
lnson P. Morrill, in organizing the Repub-
can party in the Pine Tree State. His
igorous attacks upon the Buchanan Ad-
made him power in the new
rganization. In 1853, when he was in his
genty ninth year, he was elected to the
legislature. He served two years on the
oor of the Lower House and two years in
he chair, where he displayed the qualities
f parliamentary leadership and control that
fterward gave him such renown in the
Iational Legislature at Washington. 1t is
lso worthy of mention that he took an ac-
i've part as public speaker in the Ere
lont campaign of 1856.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
In 1862 Mr.. Blaine was nominated for
congress in the Kennebec District and was
lected by majority of 5000 votes. To
his position he was successfully elected,
! each succeeding Congress, until his pro-
notion to the United States Senate by the
Governor of Maine, July 10, 1876, to fill the
acancy caused by the resignation of Sen
tor Morrill,, WHO then became Secretary