The morning call., 1893-01-28
HE MADE HISTORY.
The Career of the Greatest American
of His Time

James Gillespie Blaine was born In Wesl
Brownsville, Washington County. Pennsyl-
vania, on January 81, $780, On both sides
of his family an tecedents he had the pres
tge of a name distinguished in Colonial,
Revolutionary and National history. His
paternal great grandfather, an officer of the
Pennsylvania line, a friend of Washington
aad commissary- general, out Of his private
means more than once helped the Con-
tnental army out Of the most desperate
straits for food.
After a careful education in the preimi-
nary courses lie entered Washington Col
lege and graduated at II years Of age, being
one Of three who took the hoD0rs From
Washington College young Blaine became
a professor at the Western Military Insi-
tute at Blue Lick Springs. KY, where there
were nearly 900 students. He not only
knew each one by name, but they were all
devoted TO him.
About twenty miles distant, at the town
of Millersburg, he met Mrs Harriet STAN
wood Of Maine, who was connected with a
seminary for young ladies, and to whom
within few months he was married. He
soon returned to Pennsylvania, where after
some study Of law he became teacher in
the institution for the blind in Philadelphia.
After an association of two years in this
institution he removed. in 1854, to Augusta,
Me. Purcha sing a half-interest in the
Kennebec journal lie became its editor,
his ready faculty and trenchant writing be-
ing peculiarly adapted to this field. He
speedily made his impress. and within three
years was master spirit in the politics of
the State.
lie engaged in the movement for the
formation OF the Republican party with all
his energy. and his earnest and incisive dis
eussion OF the rising conflict between free
dom and slavery attracted wide attention.
In 1856 he was delegate to the first Re-
publican National Convention, which nom-
mated General Fremont for the Presidency.
The next year he brOadened his journalistic
work by taking the editorship of the Port
land Advertiser. but his editorial service
ended when his parliamentary career began.
In 1858 he was elected to the Legislature,
remaining a member through successive an
nua re elections for four years, and serving
the last two as Speaker. at the beginning
of the civil war Mr.. Blaine gained distinc-
tion not only for his parliamentary skill.
but for his forensic power in the debates
that grew out of that crisis. The same year
that he was elected to the Legislature he
became chairman of tie State Committee.
position which he continued to hold unin-
terruptedly for twenty years. and in W hieh
he led in shaping aud directing every polit-
ical ampaign of his party in Maine.
In 1862 Mr.. Blaine was elected to Con-
gress. where in one branch or the other he
served for eighteen years. To the House
he W as chosen for seven successive terms.
His growth in position and influence was
rapid and unbroken. As member of the
Committee on Postoffces he was largely
instrumental in securing the introduction of
the system of postal cars. He earnestly
su stained all measures for the vigorous
prosecution OF the war. but sought to make
them judicious and practical In this spirit
he supported the bill for a draft, but op-
posed absolute conscription. The measures
for the reconstruction of the States that had
been in rebellion largely engrossed tie at
tention OF Congress from 1866 till 1869 and
Mr. Blaine bore prominent part in their
discussion and in the work of framing
them. The theory that the public debt
should be paid in greenbacks developed
great strength in the summer Of 1867, while
Mr.. Blaine was absent in Europe. On his
return. at the opening of the next session.
he made an extended speech against the
doctrine, and was the first man IN Congress
to give utterance to this opposition. He
also took prominent part at this time in
the discussion of the long unsettled question
of protecting naturalized American citizens
while abroad, which led to the treaty Of
1870, 10 which Great Britain abandoned the
doctrine of "once a subject, always a SUBJ
ject." and accepted the American principle
of equal rights and protection for adopted
and for native citizens.
Mr.. Blaine was chosen Speaker of the
House of Representatives in 1869, and served
by successive reflections for six years.
His administration of the speakership was
commonly regarded as one of the most
brilliant successful In the annals of the
House. He had rare aptitude and equip
ment for the duties of presiding officer, and
his complete mastery of parliamentary law.
his dexterlty and physical endurance, his
rapid dispatch of business, and his firm and
impartial spirit were recognized on all
sides. "a
The rolitica, revulsion of 1874 placed the
Democrats i'm control Of the House. and
Mr. Blaine became the leader OF the minor