The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-15

ably clear vision When free from the in
iluence of personal interests his political
judgment is almost unerring. In the Sc
Cuson of his library | would rather have
his judgment on future political situa-
ton than that of any political prophet.
This clearness of vision and absence Of
prejudice is shown in the political history
written by him. This ability to dismiss
, from his mind all personal prejudice and
pass judgment upon men and events dis
rassionately and calmly is a strong trait
in his character.
In the spring of 1884, long before the
t., conventions had met, ! called at Mr..
Biaine's house for the purpose of talking
TO him about the possible outcome of the
Republican convention to be held at Chi
cago. Mr. Blaine was then the
leading candidate. General Grant was
in Washington City. 1t was just be-
fore the Grant & Ward failure, and a
numbe of enthusiastic friends of General
Grant thought that he might receive the
nomination. Mr.. Blaine ut that time
showed singular indifference. : Delegation
after delegation came to see him at his
,house, but without eliciting any response.
No one who went to see him at that time
received the impression that he desired the
which | made for the purpose of finding
out il possible his personal views. Mr..
Blaine said: Il am afraid | am going to
be nominated. This was such peculiar
expression that | asked Mr.. Blaine what
he meant by it, He replied that the drift
was clearly going his way. and that unless
he took active steps 10 counIeract it by an
absolute refusal TO permit his name 10 be
used, he would receive the nomination.
lie fOresaW the whole situation with re-
markabie clearness. He estimated very
Justly the strength of the other candidates.
The reason why he feared the nomination
was his profound belief that the Repub-
ican party could not win in the coming
cam pdicn. His reasons for that were
given with great exactness There was
great distress throughout the country.
Times were hard and all the dissatisfaction
that had been accommodating during years
= OF Republican administration he believed
would culminate III that year. Nearly
everything that he predicted at that time.
even % the character 81 the contests IN the
various states, proved 10 be true.
MIR Blaines feelings even then made
him shrink from the possible dangers OF
the situation. For many years he had q
profound ambition 10 be the president OF
the United States. Net IN every contest
he had encountered great trials and even
=
made upon him IN the House OF Repre-
sentatives came near causing his death.
The sunStrOke during the Cincinnati con-
Nentlon WAS Indirectly one Of the results
of the enormous STRAIN lac had undergone
prior IL that time. His enemies then SAID
that the illness was a sham 10 create sym
patay.
When Garfield was shot Mr.. Blaine
- stood at his side That gave him q shock
from which he has never recovered. He
Is 8 very sensitive man. lie Is extremely
emotional, and has a dread OF physical
pain or sickness far beyond that OF the or
binary man. Fer his conteutment ana
; happiness he needs bright Surroundings
and serene atmosphere of prosperity.
lie has nearly all has life been battling
against the reverse conditions. In TINS
conversation with HIM in the spring of
LIST he spoke OF the presidency and the
tragic fate OF Garfield with a deepening
gray pallor upon his face. rs If the White
House MAS a place tn be dreaded. lie
spoke also Of people who had haunted the
neighborhood OF his house PRIOR 10 the
GARFIELD assassination. ana it was evident
from the burden Of has talk that he was
- IMPRESSED with the idea that he himself
mad had marrow escape from asSaSSlna-
ton.
When finally he was nominated at Chi
cage he thought that by his own personal
efforts he might be able 10 counteract the
tide which he saw setting III against the
continuation Of the Republican party IN
power. That was one of the reasons why
he made such an extraordinary personal
campaign. Under ordinary circumstances
he would have remained in dIgnlned re-
treIuent NJ his country home at Bar Ii AZ
Dor. IL was not his intention ~ hrst 10
make So extended = campaign, but after
beginning he could discover no point
where he could stop without mourning =
storm OF objections and pleadlncs from
. rounded him were for exhibiting their
candidate 81 every possible point. They
had unlimited confidence IN his personal
magnetism.
MIR. Blaine himself never made any ap-