Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-02-01
James G.. Blaine.


manoeuvres we're on a larger scale, bold
and often mastery, though not always sue
cessful; his vision farther-reaching than
that of most Of his associates.
His personal popularity was remarkable
but not difficult to account for. His bril-
liant oratory, readiness ia debate, audacity'
his intrepid and defiant bearing under try
ing circumstances, his delight in sensational
and dramatic situations, his intense parti-
sanship.-united to make him a popular
idol and typical party leader. A warm ma
ture. fine culture, charm Of manner and te-
licity of personal intercourse made multi
tudes of friends aud held them with hooks
of steel. His friendships were not limited
to party associates and political followers.
but extended 10 the representatives OF the
section he so savagely denounced on the
hastings and on the floor of Congress. The
bitterness of partisanship and sectionalism
displayed in his speeches was foreign to his
nature and Understood to be for political
effect only
Mr.. Blaine was born in Pennsylvania IN
1880. graduated from Washington College
in AT. taught in a military school in Ken
tucky where he married) and in the Insti-
tuition for the Blind at Philadelphia. In
"a he went to Maine and edited, successfully,
the Kennebec Journal and Portland Alder
fser. He was a delegate to the national
Republican convention of SO, and from '5S
to 90 was a member of the Maine legisla-
ture-the last two years Speaker. In '62
he was elected to Congress and served, in
House and Senate, till 81. He took an
active part in reconstruction legislation
He was largely instrumental in having pop
ulation, rather than the number of legal
voters, taken as the basis of representation (;
aud advocated amendment of the recon
struction bill so as to permit the restoration
of civil government in the Southern States
upon the establishment therein of Impair
tial suArage-which was friendly done
He became Speaker ofthe House in go and
served six years-until a Democratic ma
iority was elected. In the latter part Of
his service in the House he was confronted
with grave charges of corruption, against
which he made a brilliant and dramatic de-
tense. The investigation was not ended
when he was appointed to the Senate to
succeed Morrill, resigned.
Mr.. Blaine was Secretary of State during
the brief administration OF President Gar
field, in 1881, and was again appointed by
Harrison in IS and served until last fall.
One Of his favorite schemes was the estab-
lishment of closer relations between the va
rious American republics, and to this end
he earnestly advocated the Pan-American
Congress of q few years, ago and a system
of reciprocity between this country and the
Central and South American States. His
influence in the State Department during
his second term of service was more conser-
vatiye than was expected and cOntrasted ia
vorably with the Presidents extreme ag
gressiveness.
After retiring from the cabinet in 81, he
devoted himself to the production of
brilliant historical work-"Twenty Years
in Congress
In &c and 80 he sought the presidential
nomination unnecessarily in 81 was nom
mated, and defeated by Cleveland; in 'SS
declined to be a candidate; in 90 again de-
clined but after the convention met resigned
from the cabinet aud became a candidate,
only to meet a notifying defeat.
His superior sagacity was displayed in
the warning against the extremes of psrti-
san and class legislation which brought his
party to ignominious defeat in 90 and '92
Assertions to the contrary Notwithstanding,
the policy Of reciprocity proposed by him
was not adopted by his party, but an I'M
constitutional retaliatlry measure was sub
stituted During the canvass of 80 he
issued a letter outlining policy Of cam
paign which was adopted by the party it
sought to evade issues already before the
people, and came too late to be effective
His closing years were clOuded by pO-
litical disappointments, health, the death
Of his sons, Walker aud Emmons, and the
matrimonial difficulties of young James
Blaine. Death came Friday morning the
27tb, at his residence in Washington.
He was laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery,
Georgetown, after simple services at the
home aud at the Church Of the Covenant
Presbyterian, conducted by DR.. Hamlin.
The church was msgni6cently dressed
There was no address, and no music except
that of the organ by Mr. Walter Dsmrosch,
Mr.. Blaine's sOn-in-law The church was
filled with prominent persons, and thou
sands Of people crowded the streets outside
and followed the body to the grave.
Congressman John L. Mitchell was NOM
mated for United States Senator on Thurs
day by the Democratic caucus Of the Wis
consin legislature, on the thirty-frst ballot.