The morning call., 1893-01-28
BLAINE is DEAD.
A Great Man Gone to
His Rest.
GLOOM AND SADNESS.
All the Nation Is Now in
Mourning.
HE WAS A TYPICAL AMERICAN
Never Since Lincoln's Time Has There
Been So Profound Sensation
in the Capital.
Special 70 The MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 27.-James G. Blaine
died this morning at II o'clock. The end
came peacefully, the ex-Secretary of State
passing from state of unconsciousness to
death. His wife and children were at the
bedside.
The news quickly spread to the Capitol
and throughout the city. 1t was every
where expected, but when the announce
ment came. tile impression was more pro-
found than any created by similar news
since the death of Abraham Lincoln.
James Gillespie Blaiue's death. although
i. removes from the world a character
prominent in everything ne undertook, oc-
easioned little surprise, for it had been so
long predicted and was wholly antiel-
pated. 1t was foregone conclusion that
his battle with death would end in defeat,
though the facts as to his Illness have from
the first been studiously concealed through
official channels. He was d sick man when
be returned to Washington for the winter,
and death and its beresvements added more
and more to his ailments. He has grown
worse aud continued on his journey to the
grave as fast as the days could carry him.
Science aud skill furnished him weapons OF
defense for q comparatively long time; but
death knows no defeat He was doomed
from the start, and TO all intentS has been
dead man for many days. His mind has
been almost blank for weeks, his lucid
moments having been few and far between,
but his physical frame withstood the raw
ages Of wasting disease till now.
From tie cradle to the tomb Blaine's
sxty-three years have been active. All the
trials and tribulations that fall to The lot Of
a public man have been his. and earned for
him The peaceful ending of a career which
closed when the iigh, of life's candle made
its last flicker to-day. The death-bed had
been surrounded almost ineessantly for
weeks by those nearest and dearest 10 him.
In fact, only the family and those very
closely associated with them have been per-
nitted to see, or even to hear from him.
during the last days Of his life. Trained
journalists, calling into requisition every
honest means at their command res0rting
to every possible means within the line Of
legitimate journalism, kept most watehful
eye On every movement about the house in
hich the distinguished patient breathed
bis last Naturally there was a sp0sition
OF The part of the family and physicians to
conceal the real condition. but from time to
time accurate information was obtained
and reported. 1t is safe TO say that few, if
any. journalistic experiences since Grants
Illness could furnish a more thorough ex-
ample Of watching and waiting than this.
DR.. Johnson was summoned to the bed
side early this morning, bat the fact was
unknown until shortly after II. when in
company with DIT. hyatt he left the house.
B IN were unusually pale. and when ae-
eosted by a reporter for the latest news a
sign. .fieaat look in theiF faces answered the
question. "He is dead. said DR.. Johnson,
'and passed away peacefully"
The news spread like wildfre, and
crowds gathered on the corner and visitors
foeked to the house. The patient had
passed a restless night. and this morning
was languid and weak, but nothing serious
was noted until shortly before o'clock,
when the change for the worse occurred.
Blaine was conscious until a few moments
before death, and the end was so peaceful
that only the experienced eye Of the Dhysi-
cisu could perceive the great statesman had
joined the majority.
DR.. Hyatt said Blane's death was due to
sheer exhaustion. he was unwilling 10
make a statement regarding the exact dis
ease until ne had received the consent Of
g.. r-ffrv