Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1893-02-08
James &. Blaine.

The Magnetic Statesman" was
born at the Indian Hill farm in Wash
ingtOn county. Penn. He graduated
from Washington college in his 18th
year, sharing with a class mate the
first honOrs. After graduating he be-
came an instructor in the Western
Military institute at Blue Lick Springs,
KY, and while there married Miss
Harriet Stanwood, of Augusta, Maine
Hereturned TO Pennsylvania and began
the study of law; never applied for
admission to the bar. From here he
removed to Maine and took charge of
the KennneDec Journal, at the age of
%, and Immediately became influential
i'll the politics of the state. He after
ward became editor of the Portland
Advertiser. In 1858 he became chair
man of the republican executive COM
mittee, and in 1859 he was chosen to
the state legislature, over which he
presided as speaker in 81 and go.
Thus prepared and trained, when he
was elected to congress in 'e3 it was TO
take immediately leading part.
In 1865 the celebrated Blaine Conklin
debate took place, from which time
they became mortal enemies. In 1868
occurred the celebrated Credit Mobelier
investigation, precipitated by Blaine's
leaving the chair (he was then speaker
and stating that his name had been
sullied by connection with this affair.
and demanding an investigation by a
committee composed of his political
opponents. The investigation was
made, and Blalne's was one of the few
names that was not tarnIshed. In 1876
Blaine became a candidate before the
republican convention at CINCINNATI
for president. About this time, his en-
emies sprung on him the Mulligan let
tiers. 1t was one of the most terrible
blows IN our political history; but
Blaine faced his enemies with the
dauntleSS courage of a lion, and even
dared to read the fatal letters or a por-
ton of them in congress, in his own
vindlcation. The question still re-
manned however, "Why was he so anx-
ious to get them out of Mulligan' S
hands," In spite of this, Blaine was
nominated in the speech that first made
Ingersol famous. His enemies com.
bined on Hayes, however, and Blaine
was defeated. -Four years later he was
again a candidate, before the Chicago
convention. His chief opponent was
Grant. Finding it impossible to be
nominated, he threw his forces to Gar
field, man who had ALWAYS been a
warm personal friend.
In 1884 he was again candidate for
domination, and this time successfully
But it was only TO meet with disaster
in the national campaign in spite OF the
most strenuous personal exertions of
Blaine himself. After his defeat he
took trip abroad. In 1888, he return
ed and took up the convass vigorously
for Mr.. Harrison, who was elected. In
1892, his son Emmons Blaine, and 9th
ers of his friends were again on hand
to do battle for the "Plumed Knight, :"
but without success.
Blaine was made secretary of state
under Garfield; but resigned when Ar
thur took his place. He was also Sec
rotary of state under Harrison, and
again resigned before his time was out.
He differed from his party i'll oppos-
ing the force bill; he invented Recipro-
city as high tariff safety valve. One
of his pet plans will probably be con-
Summation in the distant future; clos
er relation among all American states,
and plan looking to future confed-
GRAFTON. AS secretary of state, his
foreign policy was always vigorous and
successful.
On the the morning Of the 9th of
January, about IL O'Clock, after a long
battle with encroaching disease; the
great statesman fell.
The dearest ambition of his life, the
presidency, was never realized; but
if it had been, it IS doubtful if il you'd
have added to the Iustre of his name.