Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-18

henheOec Journal and began his career as a
journalist, which finally led him into politics,
where his great fame was won. After discon-
tinuing his associations with the Kennebec
Journal he became editor of the Portland
Advertiser. In 1856 he was delegate to the
convention at Phtladelphia which nominated
Fremont Two years later he was elected to
the state legislature and was atterward speaker
OF the lower house. The reputation he gained
there sent HIM to Congress in 1862. when began
his congressional career of twenty years Dur
Ing the Forty first, Forty second and Forty
third Congresses he was Speaker of the House.
SENATOR AND CABINET MINISTER
In 1875 Mr. Blaine was appointed to the Sem
ate to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton OF Senator Morrill,. and the next winter
Was elected by the leg stature to the succeeding
term. His career in the Senate was both bril-
liant and distinguished. as it had been in the
House. He Was called from the Senate to en-
ter President Gartelds cabinet as Secretary of
State. The death of Mr.. Garfield led to Mr..
Biaine's retirement from the cabinet in De-
cember. 1882. From that date until he en-
tered Mr.. Harrson's cabinet as secretary Of
State he was IN private life, except during his
campaign for the presidency in 1894. Whether
III public position or in private life, he always
remained a central figure in national affairs
during his retirement he wrote his Twenty
Years of Congress" work Of great historical
value.
AS A STATESMAN.
Mr.. Blaine must rank in all impartial history
one of the very first American statesmen.
lie was a mau OF extraordinarily keen percep-
ton and OF broad views The horizon of his
vision enclrcled the universe and his sympa-
thles put him i'll touch with mankind. Having
extraordinary intellectual cudowments, he was
a diliSeut student, aud not satisfied as most
brilliant men to fash forth the ideas that
come from quick perception. he studied deeply
al! questions which called Tor his attention and
completely mastered all that he ever under
took. Capable OF discovering at glance what
only diflgent research discioses to m ost men, he
devoted time to the careful study of details
and went to the very bottom of a question.
toiling earnestly as the verIest plodder. His
brllliancy. therefore, had some thing substantial
in it and his sagacity was as great his wit.
With natural powers which enabled him to lead
men his aims we're always higher than personal
aggrandlzement and he was never adema"ogue
His undertakings were all ambitious and their
magnitude often placed them beyond the un-
derstanding OF the mere politicians. who are in
the ma joriry in affairs of government His
purpose has always been to extend the power
and inhuence OF the nation. He would have
placed this republic before the whole world
he comprehended the spirit of our free in
stltutions rs few men are capable of compre-
bending them. He could see what the growth
OF those institutions should be and wanted to
remove all obstacles and encourage their ex-
pansion to the logical extreme. In all affairs
of government he aimed at that which would
be lasting and general rather than that which
would be confined and temporary, however
tempting might be the inducemept to meet
present demands. He recognized that the ad-
vantage of this government over all others lies
in the scarcity Of restrictions placed upon the
individual and the opportunity il opens to all
for the pursuit of prosperity. With liberty as
sured he saw that the progress of the nation
depended upon the enlargement OF the Oppoi-
tunitles for individual effort. He believed it
to be function OF the government to open up
and expand the opportunities of its citizens
aud that then individual effort would develop
the progress which would place this first among
nations To his mind this whole continent was
not too large theater for American enterprise.
He saw the undeveloped wealth that lies at our
borders; he knew that there a great COM
merce OF the western hemisr here to be devei-
oped. 1t was a question whether this wealth
and commerce should go TO strengthen tho
monarchies of Europe or whether 1t should be
developed under the institutions which our
forefathers planted on this continent whether
this continent should be developed and made
productive for its own people. or whether IT
should be merely conTibutory to a power at
variance with the system OF government which
prevails here.
AMERICA FOR AMERICANS.
TO his mind America was for Americans and
ali were Americans who came under republican
institutions.
He regarded it an objectionable neglect
OF duty and almost a crime against the
human race to fail to improve every oppcr-
tunltv for the development of this continent
and to preserve it with all its wea tn and power
as a home for freemen. independent OF and
superior to foreign despOtisms. He that
there could be but nominal independence
where nations commerce was controlled by
foreigners in tine interest of a foreign power.
and his ambition always was to preserve the
commercial luIeppDupuce first of this try
and. second. of this continent All his efforts
were directed toward the preservation of lib
erty, the encouragement of industry and the
development of commerce. and his grasp of
all great questions was such as to give great
magnitude to all his plans; yet 40 clear were
they always as never to leave a doubt as to the
possibility Of their fulfiment. He has always
had the people with him, for he has made them
understand his purposes and appreciate his
patriotism, and his failures are easily attrib-
utable to his being in advance of other political
leaders of his time and to the spirit of jealousy
which has thrown obstacles across his path
He has been applauded throughout the coun-
tries for policies which he has formed and his
political associates (of both parties) have
fused or failed to carry out. Measures of
which, he has been the author have been
rejected at the time. and afterward those who
were instrumental in their failure have taken
them up and got distinction by them. though
but partly comprehending and but feebiy pre-
senting them. The enemies of Blaine have fat
tened on his IDEAS though often incapable of
digesting them. The greatest leader of this
generation. admired by the whole people and
having personal following hardly to be
matched in our history for extent and euthusi-
asm. envlous mediocrity. malice and falsehood
have constantly stood in Blaine's way seeking
to distort and circuEvent his most patriotic
plans He has always triumphed over his
enemies in the end. but the harassing guerrilla
| warfare has tarded his progress delayed the
fnfillment Of his prophecies and prevented him
from enjoying the ripened fruit OF his labors.
But IN this his experience is that of most men
VINO have stood out prominently as the greatest
men Of their times.
HIS GREATEST AMBITION.
Blaine's greatest ambition was the CONNER
cial subjusation of this continent This in his
mind did not imply political domination by the
United States over the other republics of the
continent. He did not seek anne exation, but
his broad purposes for the advancement of the
interests of his own country nee cessarily carried
beneht for the less powerful republics, whose
rights he would not encroach upon and whose
liberties he would help to preserve from the
insidious encroacEmen;s of foreign influence
The only band with which he would hold these
nations together is the band of sympathy and
mutual interest At the very opening of his
book, Twenty Years Of Congress. his ambi-
tons for his country are disclosed in tho ear
hestness with which he speaks of the incalcu-
liable benefit OF the acquisition OF Louisiana
| from Napoleon l. After speaking with enthu-
slasm OF this stroke of statesmapship. and de-