Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-02-03
Death Of James G Blaine.

The INDEPENDENT. with deep and pro-
found feelings Of regret. is again COM
PEELED to chronicle the death Of one of its
greatest and most successful party lead
ers, and the Nation to weep. and to
mourn the loss Of its greatest citizen. -
Fora long time past. fatal disease has
been slowly, but surely s,pping the life
Of most remarkable American, and on
Friday OF last week, the 9th instant.
james g. Blaine died surrounded by his
devoted family at his late residence in
the Capital Of the Nation be has long and
often served so well Death was not un
expected. it is true. for Mr. Blaine had
been very sick man for long time,
but yet, even with such positive eviden-
ees of impending danger the nation
seemed unprepared to receive the sad in
telligence Of his demise Surprise is ex-
pressed that his useful life should have
been cot short at the early age OF 81
years. and that be did not rally from his
latest illness as he had done time and
time again from similar previous attacks.
Mr.. Blaine. like many others. Of Amer
ica's greatest statesmen, began life Pc
euniarily poor aud under difficulties. but
the go. and genius was III him, and in
short time after reaching Che mature age
Of manhood. he began to write his worth
as a man, and his ability as stateman
apOn the pages Of history. Al~ays pro-
gressive, always ambitious, his on~ ard
march, like the aggressive. met with the
usual nun Der Of setbaCks, but difficulties
great or small, were as weeds before the
moving scythe. they fell to wither and
decay, under the merciless treaI Of
determined man.
Mr.. BIaine's 6rst pursuit in life was
that of teaching, then he embarked in
journalism and shortly after entered the
dangerous and Disappointing field of pol
jtics. He served in the lie sislature Of
his adopted State for several terms, and
was for several terms elected its presid-
ing officer; Ire then en,ere wider field
and in the year 1865. was elected for
the first time to Congress and took the
oath Of Office side by side with the illus
trious sx- President Garfield, de ,eased
and the living statesman of tod, Of the
CREST West, Senator Allison. From the
FIRST hi. ability as leader, his force as a
debutor, and his tact as a parliamentary
an were recognized. and he moved un
Interrupted to the leadership of bis par y
Thrice be was elected speaker of that
body, and at a time, in the history of this
country, when sectional prejudice was at
its higbes'; yet, unmoyed BY party clam
/ e. rndisturbed by the excitement Of the
occasion. he with perfect fairness presid
ed over the deliberations Of the repre-
seutatives Of his people winning ibe
highest encomiums from both friend and
foe. Later he was elected to the U. S.
Senate. and resigned 20 accept place in
Garheld's cabinet as Secretary Of State
In 1876. he was a formidable candidate
5or President, but was defeated for the
sominatio, by ex-President Hayes, in
1880. he was again candidate for the
same high office. but was again defeate"-
this latter time by ex President Gar SeI
In 1884. opposition to his nomination
had practically subsidized and he received
the nomination of his party almost with
unauimity The goal of his ambition,
however, was not to be realized. SANDER
aud vituperation Of the most low and de-
grading character. was used by his op
ponents as the slogan of the Presidential
campaign of that year. and by such foul
means his defeat effectually comprised
Afterwards his name was often mention
ed in connection with denomination,
but it was more sentiment than a reality.
President HarrisOn's election in 1888,
was largely due to Mr.. Blaine's influence
and labors in the campaign aud the Pres
hent approaching the fact rendered him
the place of Secretary If State which he
occupied and filled until a short time
ago. when he resigned. With his res,
ignaiion of this position virtually ended
his political career and his material life.
In his death the nation has suffered
an irrepsrable loss and the Rcpuhli ,an
party suffered its ssyerest blow. Amer
lea WAS bis first thought and his only
love. M.ny differed with him on the
praeticability Of some of his views on
questions Of public policy, but all agreed
that the continued success and prosperi-
ty Of the Republic was his only and sin
oere desire. His excellent judgment,
his farsightedness, and his patriotism es-
peeisllY fitted him for party leader and
his party bad learned to follow Li.n with
implicit confidence.
Thus. admired. respected aud loved By
his NatIoo, worshippei, hoDored, and
followed by his party, the name of
Mr.. Blaine will remain VIZ tt4n upon the
pages IF history for all time to come.
Governor Brown says that il his mes
sage to the next Legislature he will re
sommcnd the passage of law requiring