The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-02-02
DEATH OF ]. G. BLAINE.
THE DREAD SUMMONS COMES
TO THE Ex-SECRETARY.
The Greatest Statesman of Modern
Times Answers the Call OF the
Angel of fDeath--Hls Death
Mourned by His
Countrymen.


more the thoughts of the people are
turned toward the man who, as the
"Plumed Knight" was such an object of
devotion. For years he stood in the
very first rank of the great men of the
land and few men have ever welded such
n potent influence as James q. Blaine.
He was the one whom his party delight
ed to honor and whose word was law
with his followers. With the exception OF
the presidential chair he achieved every
form of success possible to statesman
in free country He began at the Dot
tom of the ladder of fame. He rose TO
the top, and with his death there passes
away one of the foremost figures IN the
history of the republic. Few men nave
had so many ardent admirers ana de-
voted riends. He made many bltter
enemies as well. This was but natural
result of the position he filled IN Ire.
But now all animosity is buried, ana
friends and political foes alike unite III
expressions of regret at the passing away
of the imam from Maine.
Those who were long in the state ue-
parfment and knew Mr.. Blaine when ne
vas at his best, recognized with sorrow
during his last service that there was
remarkable change in his physical con-
dition. Mr.. Blaine was conscious or ms
poor state of health. A prominent he-
publican who called on him about q year
ag.,, in speaking of this said: i went 10
Mr.. Blaine the latter part of last January
and asked him if he was going to be
candidate for the presidency. lie an
swered: No, sir; cannot entertain the
thought for one moment. 1t would Kill
me sure. and / know it, and do not be-
lieve I have a friend on earth who would
ask me to be a candidate if he knew the
stat, of my health Mr.. Blaine added:
I am going to write letter on the sub
iect' After Mr.. Blaine had written his
letter announcing that he would not be a
candidate for the Republican nomination
he was waited upon by hs 1rlena anu anu
urged to reconsider his action. 1t was
represented to Mr.. Blaine, who was then
i'll, that the campaign would be made so
easy for him as to involve no physical or
mental exhaustion, and that the result
would be his triumphant election. win
an air of dependency the sick man re,
piled that he was satisfied that he could
not live through heated political cam
paign, or that if he should, the harrass-
ments of a presidential Office would
surely terminate his life within SIX
months after he took his seat. lie IN
tended. and this statement is Significant
in some of the subsequent events, TO re-
sign his office of secretary of state In the
early summer, retire to his Maine home
and spend his remaining days in quiet
literary work. Mr.. Blaine's death at
last
Came PainIessIy and Quietly,
but not without premonitiop, The at
tending physicians have said repeatedly
in these later days. since hope of re-
a1O fho3 x,h fI1n
end came it would probably occur with
at least two or three hours warming.
The patient lay so quietly that even
the doctors were hardly able to say when
he died. No word Of CONSCIOUSNESS, no
look of recognition had passed. At 1915
he lay so still that the window shades
were raised to give more light to enable
the physicians to determine if life still
fingered. Fifteen minutes later they pro-
claimed him dead. The news was in
stantly flashed all over the world. Young
Mr.. Blaine was in the act of writing n
note to President Harrison to inform him
of the event when the president himself
arrived, accompanied by his private sec
ret9ry and the secretary of state, MIR.
Foster. All the rest of the cabinet quick
ly followed. and the excitement through
out the city became general as the news
spread. Both houses of congress ad-
journed. and the former associates of
political parties united in eloquent trib-
utes to his memory.
A public funeral was suggested, but
the wishes of the family prevailed and
the ceremonies will be of private
nature They will be held at the Presby-
Mr.. Blaine was a pew-hOlder, on Mon
day morning. DIR. Hamlin, who of
fciated at the funeral of Mrs. Harrison
and her father, Will conduct the services.
The remains will. be laid to rest in the
beautiful Oak Hill cemetery In Georaas
town, which now forms part of Wash
ington City. bv the side of his favorite
son. Walker Blaine. and his daughter.
Mrs. Coppinger. The physicians have of
ficialIy made public the cause of death as
Bright's disease, aggravated by tuber-
cular disease of the lungs, and followed
HIs CAREER.
Life and Works of the statesman
who Is Now No More.
James Gillespie Blaine was born Jan. 81,
$780, at Indian Hill farm, Union township,
Washington county. Penn. The house in
house ,tI bnilt west of the Monongahela river.
The boys saSbbsg vas wetodo noca and he had
tGPs Tanng ngd schoo af LanessteF dh
lived with his relatives, the family of Tham-
as Ewing, the then secretary Of the Treas
ury. He was brought into contact with pol
graduated from the Washington University
of Western Pennsylvania in 1847, before he
aaasssaates. aas aGttte MI Blaine excelied as stu
dent Tes no period IN his frear early
Blaine ne should have had 6aa AsFdfF times
10 have brought out his power. n'tf ~
tIKe Webster and other great Amefieans,
Blaine began his career hS teachlAg: HIS
1853, he became acquainted with and mar
ried Miss Stanwood. The stanWoods were
men of prominence in New England. and Mr.,
AS the editor of the Kennebec Journal he
was associated with MI Mr. Stevens , Iney iani haa
fo1 q - 200 salary, This prompted him to
assume a s.torship Of the Portland II Daily
and niId made it his home hons Fef ESeH ty.fye years.
Journalism soon led him into poiitlGs: In
1857 he was elected to the state ieglsiatafe
of Maine He occupied seat In the lower
branch till 1862. Two years of that time he
presided over the house of delegates. lie
availed himself of that opportunity TO per-
that enabled him later to direct with marked
ability the proceedings of the house OF rep
reseIz at%eas Coming to congress IN lS62' ne
was was sir. Blaigets adhst sss n the outset Of his
career to make very shoFt; ndsp speeches.
He never occupied more than 4 Paes pS Tkks
Congressional Record, He never spoke dH
less he had something to say, This attract
ed Iincoln's attention. Tie was almost the
first man to divine Blaine.s future and ae,
plish. When in 1869 Schuyler Colfax was
ppeaetad to. the vice presidency Blaine sue.
ceeded to tste speakerslIip. This place he
filled till in ls75 tho DEMOCRATS gained a
majority of members. A4s ability as speak
er was conceded by all. aitll4n9.t his en-
emies regarded him as often arbitrary ang
high-handed in the administration OF bis
power.
Mr.. Blaine I'm Congress.
His carsGr IL the national congress was an
eventfuf one. His antagonism to the Stevens
reconstrnctiop hip n 1851 created a stir In
the nation, and after q seeming defeat his
amendment modifying this Proposed mill
tary law In the South was daFrfed tArough
both house and senate, -, '.''sh
IN 1869 Mr.. Blaine was elected speaker of
the house, acting in that capacity Tor six
successive years. This career In the ho4ss
has always been regarded as exceptionally
brilliant. The political revolution of 1874
placed the Democracy in power In the house
aud Mr. R1ainn became fhp leader of the Rn-