Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-14
ON MIR. BLAINE'SCAR
AOay During His Tour in Mich
igan in 1884.
HE SHOWED GREAT ENDURANCE
Making Twenty Seven Speeches Between
Detroit and This City-Memories and
Impressions Of a Notable Trip.

rcW arc tucIe III MlCuigau VINO Will
forget the trip James G. Blaine made
through the state during his Candidacy
for the presidency IN 1884. 1t Was, too,
one of the most vigorous and hotly con-
tested campaigns ever made in the
state. Men aud women. Young and old
and youths were banded together under
the banners OF the respective parties.
1t was the first time that the democrats
ever disputed the belief held by many
that Michigan was aud would be etern-
ally republican. Many will remember
Roscoe Conkling's sneering remark IN
the Chicago convention In 1880. "Any-
body can carry Michigan" meaning
that it mattered not who the republican
party nominated, he had cinch on the
Wolverine state. The democrats
did not think this was 80,
aud with Cleveland as their
standard bearer they marehalled
their hosts, with the avowed purpose
and hope of presenting the state to the
stuffed prophet. Careful connoisseurs
and sagacious political workers saw in
the latter part Of the campaign that the
state was in doubt and decided that q
vigorous effort must be made in order
to be represented in the republican
electoral college aud elect Alger gov
ernor.
How Blaine Came Here.
Mr.. Blame was making his famoue
tour and had reached the state of Ono,
though with no thought of passing
through Michigan, believing the popu-
lar impression that michigan WAS all
right" When he reached Toledo he
was waited upon by u large delegation
of representative republicans of this
state, who beeeeched him to change his
plans so as to give = few
days among the principal cities of the
lower peninsula. Mr.. Blaine At first
thought the trip wholly unnecessary As
the state was incontestlbly republican.
Such stanch supporters and friends as
William A. Gavett assured him by all
the sacred principles of protection that
Michigan WAS IN doubt and that the
magnetic presence of the great leader
was imperative IN order to stimulate
the enthusiasm Of the people. The
coming Of Blaine did have the effect OF
arousing republicanism as Il never was
aroused before.
Greeted with Ovations.
Mr.. Blaine and party first stopped at
| Detroit and all of eastern Michigan
seemed to be there TO take part In the
demonstrations In his honor. There
was the usual lavish decorations, the
marching of clubs, and the statesman
from Maine was constantly greeted
with ovatlons OF the heartiest XII nd. 1t
was here the writer, with a
large party from Grand Rapide,
A.
| tour through Michigan. The trip was
indeed like the triumphant march of q
conquering hero, with the trophies of
victory into the land of his home.
; The party travelled IN a special tram
composed OF three passenger coaches,
| baggage car and the private car Of
J. b. Mulliken. who was then the gen.
ersl manager of the Detroit, Lansing 4
Northern system. The latter car was
used by Mr.. Blaine and as many ~ il
would comfortably Accommod ate. The
writer was fortunate enough To have .
seat in this coach, and was at all tirnes
a close observer Of Mr.. Blaine.
Twsasy-sevss Speeches IN . Dav.
Leaving Detroit early in the morn
ing the train on the first day travereed
the d., l.. Il n. railroad as far as Big
Rapids, where Il was transferred 10 the
tracks of tho q. X. & L., arriving here
In the evening. where Mr.. Blaine had .
reception, which for crowds aud enthu-
! slasn seemed 10 transcend tie one he
had left in Detroit. During the day
he had made twenty-seven speeches
from the platform IN the rear of his car
Some of them we're brief, 10 be
sure, but il Was marked that
no two were alike and that he never
repeated himself. At Lansing, Grand
Ledge. I,nis and Big Rapids his utter
snees we're lengthy, srgumentative and
dIscursory. Every moment uf the trip
was full Of morse and excitement, but
Mr.. Blaine wss always czim and cool.
lie was particularly consiserste OF the
BIG newspaper party on board and be
fofo he would commepce speaking he
always looked around 20 see II they
we're IN their places ciose 10 the plat
form of tue ear. He seemed 10 under
stand every littie hamlet and town At
which the train stopped ard wenid. m
he remarks. indicate that he under
ssssssi the pursuit IN whleh the inhahi.
tsnts we're chiefly Interested and de-
pendent aron aud would say some
thing complimentary slsots Il ard
sxplssn hew Il eouli ~ tyessefited by
the nssintsnsaee ~ protecslca.
II vas interesting 10 stody MIR. Blame.