Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1893-02-02

phatically refused to consider such a
On June 6, 1884, Mr.. Blaine
was nominated on the fourth ballot, and
the announcement was received all over
the land with great enthusiasm. Mr.,
Blaine had gone to his Augusta home.
and IN that city where he had lived so
happily, where his children were born
and whose citizens so warmly loved him,
he received the news Of the great honor
his party had conferred upon him. The
political complexion of the country in
1884 was not promising for the Republi-
cans. Business was far from prosper US
and there were strong indications in all
sections that change of executive
policy was desired. However, the Re-
publicans faced the contest with good
courage and in midsummer Mr.. Blaine
decided to break away from the trammels
of precedent and to take the stump him.
self. He journeyed through New Eng
land and the middle states to the west
and back again, making the most re-
mar kable series of speeches ever deliv-
cred in this country. Every sentence
told. There were no slips, no dull repe-
itions. All was incisive, logical and
luminous. The enthusiasm with which
he was greeted beggars description. The
great prize, however, escaped him and
as all know, Mr.. Cleveland carried it off.
and Mr.. Blaine devoted himself again to
his work, "Twenty Years in Congress-"
in which he took great interest. His in
come from the book was about $3.50, 600
During the autumn Of 1886. MIR. Blaine
determined upon an extended European
trip, and, accompa MED by his wife and
two of his daughters, he sailed for
Southampton in 1887. Mr.. Blaine re.
manned abroad until midsummer in 1888,
visiting Great Britain and Ireland,
France, Austria, Germany and Italy. III
Florence he had a severe illness. During
his absence he wrote two letters which
had an important bearing upon Ameri-
can politics, the first an answer to Presi
dent Clevtla message on tariff reform
and the second letter Withdrawing his
name as candidate for the next Repub-
lican nomination-that of 1888.
Upon his return to America Mr.. Blaine.
was welcomed with great enthusiasm.
The City of New York, in which he re-
turned, failed to arrive at the expected
date, and the extensive welcome which
had been prepared for the distinguished
statesman was somewhat shorn Of its
glory. but enough remained to make New
York an exciting scene, and Mr.. Blaine
| responded to his friends with words OF
great encouragement for the prospects
Of the political battle then preparing.
Into the campaign of 1888 he entered
with cordial eagerness and led the way
| to victory in November. Under Presi-
dent Harrison's administration he again
| became secretary of state, and made
prompt plans to carry out the policy
which had been interrupted by the as
sassination of President Garfield. His
l ls - ~, e<oto ~ han mo a
very busy one, but he enjoyed it with
zest that seemed to restore the force and
activity of younger days. He leased and
altered the old house at No. II Madison
place, which was generally known as the
Seward mansion. He afterward bought
the estate. During the first year Of
President Harrison s administration Mr.
Walker Blaine and Mrs. Coppinger, Sec
retary Blaine's eldest son and daughter,
died within month of each other. These
blows came upon Mr.. Blaine with crush
ing force, and he sought relief from
grief in hard work. None but those
closest 10 Mr.. Blaine could appreciate
the poignancy and depth of his sorrow
Mr.. Blaine's life had been of such
character that he was in many respects
old before his time. He had worked as
few can appreciate who were not near to
him, and even those would not always
notice or understand how much he was
undertaking, for his methods never
savored of furry. He was quick and de-
cided in all ways, and reached his ends
with seeming ease for the simple reason
that he understood how to reach them
most easily.
In the spring of 1891 he broke down
completely in New York, when on q
visit to his daughter, Mrs. Damrosch
| AS soon as he was able he left for the
summer home he had built at Bar Har-
Dor, and where he felt he could obtain a
rest he yearned for with passionate
longing. He returned to Washington in
the fol wing October much improved 10
aealth, but tar from we'll. He again took
up the interrupted work of the state de-
partment, but found himself hampered
oy the existing makeup of the presi-
dents cabinet. In his weakened state OF
health he was very sensitive, and many
things were said and done that made his
last months in President Harrison's cab-
met very trying period, and he fell
sure that the renOminatiOn the president
was expecting was MT wise party
measure. On June 5, 1892, he sent to the
president his resignation Of the secreta-
] ryship Of state, and Immediately left