Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1885-06-11
From C6urier-JoWndi.
PEN PICTURES
OF Notable Characters ia american
Public Life.
BY 1" SAvoYARD."
james G.. Blaine.

cuHtto We Dtotftts
1t is easy to turn from Conkling 10 his ri
val and enemy, James G. Blaine. The two
men are radically different in temperament.
habits, thought and education. Each repre-
sents a type. Each hoped to establish an
oligarchy There never existed a man Of
more bustling activity, more restless energy
and more consuming ambition than Blaine.
His thirst for wealth, position and power, in
intensity, is akin to the desire of Troilus for
Cresida. "This is the monstrosity in love
the will is infinite and the execution con-
fined; the desire is boundless, and the act
slave to limit" So with the boundless crsv-
ings of Blaine for power, wealth and distinc-
ton. If he had more ability, he might play
the part of Mirabeau; if he were dressed in
petticoats he would rival Becky Sharp.
1t is the fashion to tickle his inerdinate
vain-glory by comparing him to Henry Clay.
whom he no more equals than Haniefs un-
Gle equals Hamlcfs daddy, or, to borrow his
own figure, mud equals marble. He was
twenty years in Congress and was dominated
by Thad Stevens and Ben Butler, while the
eternal devil himself could not have domi-
mated Henry Clay. He was twenty years in
Congress, and no man can point to a solitary
measure of national import that he origina-
ted or championed as leader. No, he was
too busy letting his soul, body and breeches
to railroads and other corporations to give
his time to craftsmanship, even had he been
statesman He dressed in tinsel and was
bedecked with pinchbeck and was the pet
and god of the groundlings, but he was no
less scrub, and once a scrub always a scrub.
He is supremely and intensely selfish. To
promote his own interests he would embrace
his 'bitterest enemy, to further his own plans
he would stab his best friend-be equally
ready to fawn or bully, as he thinks best to
attain an end.
Blaine and Thurman.
The Plumed Knight is sprghtly deba-
ter, but in debate, as in everything else, ex-
cept the art of money getting, he is superb
cial. He has a ready tongue and dashing
style that pleases the vulgar herd. He was
out of place in the Senate, and made no rep
utation there though always cooked and
primed for shindy. There is an amusing
story told of Thurman and him, which will
bear repeating On one occasion the Plumed
Knight came into the Senate chamber, and
casually glancing at the seat of the old ho-
man. he discovered that that worthy had
dined and had not passed the wine without
exacting double toll. In few moments the
man from Maine was on his legs attacking,
in his skirmishing way, some pet hobby or
theory of Thurman, who between maps be-
came conscious that he was being assaulted.
Finally the Ohioan reused himself and re-
turned the blows with interest, and, as re-
suit. the Senator from Maine was soon re-
duced to pulp. When the affair was con-
cluded, Thurman walked out to his commit
tee-room, followed by Mcdonald and Ed
munds. Pulling out his bandana and CIV
ing bugle blast from his proboscis, he said
"Boys, did that id harlequin get away
with me?"
"No, no, Senator, you did splendidly; you
demolished him."
"Never mind, never mind" said the old
Roman, one of these days he will tackle me
when Pm sober, and then, d-n him, won't
| mash him"