Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-02-03

James Gillespie Blaine was born on the
slst Of January, 1880, at West Brownsville,
Penn. in house built by his great-grand-
fataer before the War of tho Revolution,
which still stands. The Gillespiss an B.aines
were people of standing before the Rsvolu-
ton. Colonel Blaine, who was commlsSary-
general Of the Northern Department OF
Washington's army during the Revolution.
was James G. Blaine's great-yrandtather.
When eleven years old, he went to live with
uncle, Thomas Ewing, in Ohio where his
mothers father, Neal Gillespie, an accom-
pIished scholar. directed his studies Later
he attended Washington College, at WASH
ington Penn, graduating at the age OF sew
enteen.
After leaving college be taught school at
Blue Lick Springs, KY. 1t was as PROBES
sor in the military school there that he made
the acquaintance of the lady-a school
teacher from Maiue-who afterward beclme
his wife Later be went to Philadelphia,
where he tau ht scaool aad studio law.
But after two years he abandoned law stud
les. went to Maine. and became proprietor
and editor of the Kenne5ec Journal.
At tue birta of the Republican Party he
was delegate TO the Philadelphia Conyen-
ton in 1856, which nominated Fremont.
After serving as Speaker Of the Maine Leg
stature, he was sent to Congress and began
his National career in 1852, with the out
break OF the war. During the FoTty-irst
Forty-sscond and FOrty-thiri Congresses he
was Speaker OF the House.
Mr.. Blaine's administration of the Speak
ership is commonly regarded as one OF the
most brilliant and successful III the annals OF
the House. He had rave aptitude and equip
ment for the duties Of presiding officer AMI
his complete mastery OF Parliamentary law,
lis dexterity and physical endurance, his
rapid dispatch Of business, and his hrm auI
impartial spirit were recogulzed on all sides.
1t was during his occupancy OF the SpsaS-
er's chair in 1874 that he took the floor an
succeeded in defeating the passage OF the
origma! Force bill"
The political revulsiol OF 1874 placed the
Democrats in control Of the House, an Mr..
Blaine became the leader OF the minority.
The session preceding toe Presidential con-
test of 1876 was perioi OF stormy ant We
hemont contention. On thu OF May
resolution was adopted in the House TO II
vestigate an alleged purchase by tao Union
Pacific Railroad Company OF certain oonds
of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
Company. 1t soon became evident that the
investigation was aimed at Mr. Blaine. Au
extended business correspondence on his
part with Warren Fisher Of Boston, run
ming through years aud relating to various
transactions, had fallen into the hands OF
clerk named MulligaD, AMI 1t was anegel
that the production Of this correspondence
would confirm the imputatioI against MI
Blaine. When Mulligan was summoned TO
Washington Mr. Blaine possessed himself OF
the letters together with memorandum
that contained full index and abstract. "a
the 9Th of June, 1870 he rosa to q personal
explanation, and after denying the power
of the House to compel the production
of his private papers, and his willingness 10
20 to any extremity in defense OF his rights
he declared that he proposed to reserve noun
ing. Holding uD tho letters be exclaimed:
THANK God, am not ashamed to show
them. There is the very original package.
And with some sense OF humiliation, with a
modification do not attempt TO conceal,
with q sense OF outrage which | think any
man in my position would fee, invite the
confidence Of 40, O02, 600 Of my countrymen
while read these letters from my desk,
The demonstration closed with a dramatic
scene. Josiah Caldwell, one Of the orlglna-
tors Of the Little Rock aud Fort Smith Rail
road, who had full knowledge OF the whole
transaction, was travelling in Europe aud
both sideS were seeking 10 communicate
with him. After finishing the reading OF
the tiers Mr. Blaine turned to ths Char
man OF the Committee and demanded TO
know whether he had received any diSpatcn
from Mr.. Caldwell. Receiving an evasive
answer Mr.. Blaine asserted, as within MS
own knowledge, that the Chairman had re-
ceived such g dispatch completely and ao-
solutely generating ma from this charge
and you have suppressed it"
In 1875 SIR. Blaine, was appointed to the
Senate to fill the vaca1cy caused by t1e re-
signation Of Senator Morrill,, AMI the mex
winter was elected by tho Legislature to the
succeeding term. His career in the Senate
was both brilliant and distingus rel, as 1t
had been in the House. He was clllei from
the Senate TO enter President Garfeld's
Cabinet as Secretary OF State. IL was while
passing through the railroad depot leaning
on Mr.. Blaine's arm and pleasantly chatting