The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-01

this country ever had a greater following OF
personal friends or political worshipers
No Legislative Monument.
After twenty years service in congress the
statute books of the country hold no laws that
bear the mark of true siatesmsnship that can
be accredited to Mr. Blaine, What be accom-
plished has not been lasting. As 9 prem Ter In
the cabinet OF Presidents Garfield and Harri-
son. negotiating with foreign powers, ms work
at times good and at times the results
were not at all satisfactory. But at all
times throughout his entire diplomatic career
he assumed the role OF q popular actor playing
for the plsudIts of his people. The parts he as
sumed IN the Boring sea affair, IN other little
affairs with England. in the Mshs troubles at
New Orleans. which aroused the ire of ltaly,
and In the Gillian troubles. were incidents of
his cabinet career. AT times be was wise and
then brilliant lie moved, then stopped and
waited to hear the verdict OF the public before
he moved further. He kept In accord with has
friendly personal followers by st first learning
what they thought and then executing their
desires rs near as possible. Men who served
by his side for years in congress; those who
were best acquainted with his Qualities as
statesman; cOngressmen who were acquainted
with his personalities and who knew his char
scteristics as q public man, thought less OF bis
craftsmanship than did his party.
His Great Ambition.
Bat Blaine's career was q notable one. While
he accom- plished little in all the positions of
trust that he occupied, circumstances ana con-
ditions attending it will make it live long in
history. A more ambitious cIsn has never
lived. No other man ever struggled so hard
and with such disastrous results to secure
the Office OF president. The office was
almost within his grasp several times.
But when he reached for il. q mistake OF his
80 1a1 - lie
was a will-o-the-wisp. q isok-O'-lantern 10 him.
He was always near it. but could never
secure it
Blaine was born in little town called Vest
Brownsville, in Washington county, Penn
sylvanIa Jan. 81 1880. His father was Scotch
Irish and an adherent 90 the doctrines
OF the presbyterian church. His mother was
devout catholic q woman of good intelligence
and force of character. His great grandfather
was a revolutionary soldier. BlRine's early
education was sedulously cultivated. He
was given the advantage OF good teach
ers at home, and in 1871 attended
college in Lancaster. o., where he lived in the
family OF Ewings, who were relatives of his.
He entered Washington college at thirteen
years of age and at the age OF seventeen grGdu-
ated. He early displayed fOndness Tor the
study of political history. Soon after gradua-
ton he went to BiGe Lick Springs, KY, where
he became a teacher in the Western military
institute. Here he met Harriet StanwoOd, who
was connected with seminary for young aides
at MilleTsbuTg. A short oourtship was fol-
lowed by marriage. With bis wife he returned
TO Pennsylvania.
A Political Journalist.
For a while he studied law and in 1854 remov-
ed to Augusta, Me. Here he entered the journ-
Alisiic field by purchasing half interest in the
Kennebec Jouna. He became the editor and
in a Few years had made himself one of the pO-
ltical leaders OF the state. lie assisted 10 the
formation OF the republican party aud was
delegate 10 the convention that nominated FIRE.
mont in lS56. A year later he was editor of the
Portland ldU rts r, and In 1865 began his par
liamentary career when he was elected to the
lower house of the Maine legislature. He
served here four years. the last two as speaker.
In 1853 be also became member of the repub-
lican STATE committee and in every campaign
thereafter he was an active worker in the state.
In Congress.
Mr. Blaine entered the congress of the United
States in 1862 when Thaddeus Stevens WAS its
leader He remained there seven successive
terms. In 1876 he was appointed to fill the va
cancy in the senate caused by the resignation
OF Lot NJ. Morrill,, and in the year following
was elected senator for both the long and short
terms. He resigned his seat in this body to ac-
cept the Office OF secretary of state with
President Garfield. His debates in congress
began after his first term. The fret speech of
any ability be mGde'Was on the assumption Of
the general government of the war debt of the
states, in the course OF which he urged 81 at the
North was able to carry on the war TO sue
cessful issue. He seOn became noted a. q fear
less, aggressive debster. and took an active part
in Ihe rum ming discussions of the houGe. He
was q member of she pOstofice and military
committees. and as a member of the former he
took an active part in encouraging and secur-
ing the system of postal cards now In universal
operation. During the war be was q strong
supporter OF President Linooln's administra-
ton, and in the period of reoonstruction was
active and energetic. He especially
prominent in shaping some OF the important
features of the fourteenth amendment particu-
larly that relating TO the business Of representa-
ton. proposition 10 appOriiOn the repre-
sentation according TO the number OF legal
voters was fought by Blaine, who urged
OF representation. lie submitted an
amendment providing that Representatives
and direct taxes should be apportioned among
the several states which should be included
within the union according to their respective
numbers. The result OF the discussion was q
general abandonment OF rho theory presented
by Mr.. Stevens and the fourteenth amendment,
as finally adopted, embodied Mr.. Blaine 9
proposition in substance. Ia 1867 he declared
his un1illingness to support any measure that
would place the south under military govern
ment II at the same time 10 did not prescribe
methods by which the people of state could
by their own action re-establish civil govern
ment He favored negro suffrage and urged
the wisdom of declaring it as one of the terms
of reconstruotIon. In 1867 Mr.. Blaine made a
tour OF Europe. IL was while out of
the country that the theory that
the public debt should be paid in greenbacks
developed great strength. On his return he
strongly opposed the doctrine. In 1870,
through the efforts OF Mr.. Blaine and others,
England was forced to abandon the doctrine OF
''Once q subject Always a subject" and made "a
accept the American principle of equal rights
and protection for adopted and native citizens
In the Speakers Chair.
Mr. Blaine was first chosen speaker Of the
house in 1869, and served six years in success
sion. His administration of this Office is gen.
orally regarded as having been brilliant and
successful from O parliamentary point of view,
but the expose that followed showed that
while il was at times brilliant, il was not al
ways honest While speaker he sci
dom mingled in the debates. In
1871, however. he had sharp
tilt with Gen. Butler. who had criticised him
for being the author Of the resolution provid-
ing for az investigation Of alleged outrsges per
pstrated upon loyal oitizens of the South. and
for being instrumental Ia securing its adoption
by the republican caucus.
THE MULLIGAN EXPOSE.