The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-26
BLAINE's NEW SORROW.
Deaths Invasions of the Family OF the
Great Statesman.
~. s. Clarkson in Des Moines Register.


~. s. Clarksou in D.s Moines Register1
In u manner not for men 10 understand nor
for words of man to describe, Mr.. Blaine has in
later years been strangely made "a man Of sor-
rows and acquainted with grief" One SORROW
after another has in recent time come 10 him
and his home, until his wounds have become
piteous in the eyes of tho world. Great hearts
must bear always the greatest wounds. Souls
capable Of suffering most seem, in the higher
wisdom OF Providence. fated TO suffer beyond
the measure and lot of all others. One great
reason for the mystic power with which the
name and career of Blaine have swayed alike the
affections and admiration OF the American peo-
Pc has been in the purity and beauty OF
his life and home-a beauty and purity
which have reached with caressing touch every
home OF love and refinement and humanity in
the land. The home life OF Mr. and Mrs. Blame
has been ideal from its beginning in Kentucky.
Eight children have been born to them. FIVE of
whom are now dead. The death of Emmons
Blaine yesterday, the second son OF the great
secretary, brings a climax OF grief which gives
situation OF pathos to a whole nation. 1t Is
seldom that private sorrow becomes public
grief. This added blow to the already broken
hearts of Mr.. and Mrs. Blaine makes IL a sorrow
to every household where love holds sway and
family ties are hsld in sacred affection.
To those who attended the Minneapolis con-
vention last week, and saw Mr. Emmons Blaine
there, proud in his physical and mental
strength, with all the evidences OF complete
health and abounding spirit, his sudden death
yesterday will seem almost impossible Manly,
and as noble as his father was at his years,
almost duplicating his Appearance, amiable,
splendid III manner, generous in nature, he
seemed to all who saw him there, in his modest
bearing under time of suspense and trial, the
very embodiment OF American rein .ment,
strength and manhood. No one of that vast
multitude seemed more certain of longer or
happier life than ne. No one in the great throug
had less warning OF approaching death The
writer OF this article was in close and intimate
association with him for over a week. He had
known him well for fifteen years, as we'll almost
as he knew any member of his own family SO
well that these was the pleasure of dearest
friends In the association. He never seemed
better, never in as good spirits, amt almost ex-
ultant and exuberant in his strength. He talked
OF his good health, OF his happiness in his home
life with his wife and baby, OF his pride in his
father and his mother, and everything that is
sweet IN human life seemed to be assembled in
him, and in benediction over him, to contrib butte
to his fortune and to his Joy in living. With
the pride aud strength OF Corinthian column
then, his life.is suddenly broken now. Its effect
on his parents Is too distressing even to
imagine, much less to discuss. In all the beau
ties OF Mr.. Biaines life his nobility and tender
ness as father have been conspicuous among
them ALL Mrs. Blaine, noble as a wife, has
oeen stlli more noble as a mother. That grief
should come to these two great and tender
hearts in such seemingly cruel repetition seems
beyond human wisdom to explain or human
comfort to assuage.
The death at Washington City early in the
winter OF Is 0, within two weeks of each other,
of Mr.. Walker Blaine and Mrs. Coppnger, one
OF the married daughters of the family, excited
hn nj U<.ft hA,
row to one OF the most stately and noble
of American homes. Now that Emmons
Blaine, the strongest Of the family, the
one in whose physical and mental
strength OF the whole household found an an-
chorage of strength, hope and Joy has suddenly
broken and gone down, grief seems TO have left
little to add in an hour so bitter and so black.
The same a. Mr. Walker Blaine, Mr.. Emmons
Blaine had the brilliant promise of a great Ca
reer. He had become prominent in the bust
ness world, having no personal liking for poll
tics, and having an ambit on to succeed in other
fields. He had a high place in his chosen vo-
cation, and no young man in the country bore
promise OF greater things. The crown of the
great name that he bore never elated or exalted
him above his fellows He wore it with quiet
dignity, and no young American ever repre-
scented more faithfully or with more dignity,
and yet with more strength and amiability, the
best that there is in American manhood, than
was shown in the life of Emmons Blaine.
From every loving home in America, from
every loving home over the world, will go
earnest wishes and many loving words of heal
ing to this stricken home, which is at once the
the most noted and the most sorely afflicted OF
American households. In the state of Iowa
peculiar sorrow will be felt over the death of
this especial member of the Blaine family, who
for many years made his home among our
people, and who won by the simplicity and
nobility OF his manhood the esteem and affee-
ton of all who came to know him. That his
career should be so early terminated and so
rudely stopped will be q matter OF personal
sorrow 10 many thousands of Iowa people who
had learned to look upon him as being in part
al Iowa man.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Blaine have now left one son
and two daughters, Mrs. Walter Damrosch and
Miss Harriet Blaine, who is soon to be married
to Mr.. Beall the present American minister to
Persia. The circle of the beautiful home is
narrowing with relentless and cruel rapidity.
II will be the prayer of every American, OF
whatever poliDcs, that grief shall be long in
coming again to the home aud the hearts al
ready so sorely afflicted.