Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-15

- for studying Mr.
Blaine. ...a. seen him under various try
ing conditions of his political career during
the last 10 years. 1 was with him during
the campaign of 1884, and travelled in a
special car with him for three months at
that time. 1 saw him at various places in
Europe during his long absence from this
country prior to the campaign of 1888, which
resulted in the election of Mr.. Harrison.
This recital of some of the incidents in Mr..
Blaine's career may throw some light upon
Mr.. Blaine's present attitude and may eI-
plain to everybody's satisfaction why it is
he is resolved never to be candidate tor
the Presidency.
His Remarkable Political Judgment.
As politician Mr.. Blaine has remark
ably clear vision. When free from the In
fuence of personal interests his political
Judgment is almost unerring. In the seclu-
sion of his library I would rather have his
Judgment on a future political situation
than that of any political prophet. This
cIearness 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 dispassionately and
calmly is strong trait in his character.
In the spring of 1884 long before the two
conventions had met, 1 called at Mr.. Blaine s
house for the purpose of talking to him
about the possible outcome of the Repub-
hcan Convention to, be held at Chicago. Mr..
Blaine was then the leading candidate. Gen.
eral Grant was in Washington. 1t was just
before the Grant s. Ward failure, and a
number of enthusiastic friends of General
Grant thought that he might receive the
nomination. Mr.. Blaine at that time showed
singular Indifference. Delegati on after del
egation 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 be desired the nomina-
tion During the special call which made
for the purpose of finding out if possible
his personal views Mr.. Blaine said, II am
afraid L am going to be nominated"
FOresaw His Own Nomination.
This was such peculiar expression that
I 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 to counteract it by an absolute refusal
to permit his name to be used, be would re-
whole situation with remarkable clearness
He estimated very justly the strength of
the other candidates
The reason why he feared the nomination
was his profound belief that the Republican
party could not win in the coming cam
paign. His reasons for that were given
with great exactness There was great dis
tress throughout the country. Times were
hard and ali the dissatisfaction that had
been accumulating during years of Repub-
lican administration he believed would cul-
inmate in that year. Nearly everything
that he predicted at that time, even to the
character of the contests in the various
States, proved to be true.
Mr.. Blaine's feelings even then made him
shrink from the possible dangers of the sit
uatlon. For many years he had profound
ambition TO be the President of the United
States. Yet In every contest he had en-
countered great trials and even dangers.
Blaine Is Very Sensitive.
In 1876 the extraordinary attack made
upon him in the House OF Representatives
came near causing his death. The sunstroke
during the Cincinnati Convention was indi-
rectly one of the results of the enormous
strain be had undergone prior to that time.
His enemies then said that the illness was
sham to create sympathy. When Garfield
was shot Mr.. Blaine stood at his side That
gave him a shock from which he has never
recovered. He is a very sensitive man.
He is extremely emotional, and has a dread |
of physical pain or sickness far beyond that
Of the ordinary man. For his contentment
and happiness ne needs bright surroundings
and a serene atmosphere of prosperity. He |
has nearly all his life been battling against |
the reverse positions.
In this conversation with him in the |
spring of 1884 he spoke of the Presidency |
and the tragic fate of Garfield with a |
deepening gray pallor upon his face as if |
the White House was place to be dreaded. |
he spoke also of people who had haunted |
the neighborhood of his house prior to the |
Garfield assassination, and it was evident
from the burden of his talk that he was
impressed with the idea that he himself had
had a narrow escape from assassination.
W hen finally he was nominated at Chicago
he thought that by his own personal efforts
he might be able to counteract the tide
which he saw setting in against the con-
tlnuatlon OF the Republican party in power
nat was one of the reasons why he made
such an extraordinary personal campaign.
AND ne objected to a scandal campaign be-
canse he regarded it as both impolitic and
indecent. There is nothing vindictive in
Mr. Blaine's character 1 once heard him
N--''N SOhoANOiSu AllS dllOScbucE lOO |
Short to be devoted to any system of
revenge.
The man who adopts such policy" said
he, would never be able to live long
enough to carry out all of his projects of re-
and can imagine no misery more
yenge."
Under = Tremendous Strain,
He staked almost his life in that cam
palgn. He travelled day in and day out,
resting only the seventh day of each week.
The strain upon his physical resources was
very great To man of his nervous and
temperament the burden was
wearing to the last degree.
travelled with Mr. Blaine in the special
rain from New York to Augusta on cleo