The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-03
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS.

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS.
BosToN, Mty "a large audience as
sembled In Music hall last night at the
memorial exercises in honor of James q.
Blaine, held under the auspices of the
city of Boston. On the front of the plat
form, festooned with flowers and sur
rounded by the national colors, was a
large portrait Of the deceased statesman.
The program was an elaboate one and
included choice music by the Mendelssohn
and double quartet and poem by Henry
Austin.
The eulogy by Senator William p. Frye
Of Maine was an exhaustive review OF Mr.
Blaine's life and public services and was
closely followed and warmly received.
Senator Frye spoke substantially as
10 lows:
James Gillespie Blaine was born in West
Pennsylvania in sight of mountains, valleys
and running waters, of father and mother
both Scotoh-Irish descent both well born and
well bred, the one manly, hospitable, fond Of
display, generous and somewhat extrayagant;
the other gentle, economical, caretaking and
pious. The words Mr.. Blaine used touching
the birth Of President Garfield In his mastery
tulogy apply equally 10 his; HE was born Of
good stock on both sides, none better, mono
braver. There was In it an inheritance OF
courage, of manlincss, Of iInperishable love Of
liberty. of undying adherence to principle"
He was guided, trained and educated by the
gentle mother, petted and indulged by his
lavish father. AS a boy he was full of fun and
frolic, inclined to all sorts of harmless mis-
chief, leader in all the childish sports. In
school and in college he was not u stu
dent, but q scholar. He was bright, quick
and active, fonder of sport than study,
but so gifted with wSderful reten-
tive memory, n quick perception and
a remarkable power Of absorption that he
always stood at or near the head OF his classes.
He early evinced love for history and biog-
raphy, an -aptness for essay writing and a
fondness for debate. Elected to the presi-
dency OF college literary society, IL is said
that he committed Cushing's Manual 90 mem-
ory in single day and night, and astonished
the disputatious boys by his familiarity with
parliamentary law.
He graduated from college at the early age
Of IL, with honor, receiving asa commence
ment part an English grafton. Through these
years of student life. when temptations were
many and powerful, no vices, immoralities or
meannesses stained or degraded IL. The man
illness and courage of the father, the virtues,
prayers and piety of the mother preserved
him. At this time the free and generous man
ner Of life at home had reduced the family
fortune, and young Blaine, even then self
reliant and independent, struck out for him.
self-for four years as teacher in Kentucky
and for two in Philadelphia. He was q sue
cess in this profession, dominated all his
fellow teachers, reyolutionized the methods
of instruction and discipline and endeared
himself to all the students. But he had hopes
and ambitions. dreamed dreams and saw
visions which could never be realized In the
role of a teacher.
In 1860 the Republican party. led up to 1t
logically by its attitude towards slavery, de-
clared in favor Of the encouragement OF
American Industries and the protection of
American workingmen.
Mr.. Blaine had already been taught this
principle by Wing father. and the lessons
had been emphasized by conditions In his
state. The tariff of ls46 known as the tariff
for revenue only" passed by the United States
senate by the casting vote of Mr.. Dallas. a son
of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Blaine was then In col
lege, witness and an interested one, of the
intense indignation of the people of that state
at what they regarded q betrayal of their
interests by Dallas, Buchanan and Robert j..
Walker, all Pennsylvanians.
His first speech in the campaign of 1850 was
an earnest advocacy of protection, and an
effective attack upon the claims of the free
traders that the tariff of lS46 had promoted
the interests OF the country. A brief extract
will illustrate II: "These lessons, fellow citi-
zens, are serious, and the Republican national
convention mas appreciated their meaning.
That convention recalls us, In its platform, to
the policy of adjusting our revenues so as to
protect labor, encourage home manufactures,
create a balance of trade I'm our favor and
keep our gold at home. While fighting against
the admission of servie toll of the black
man in the new territories of the continent"
Republicans will fight also for liberal wages
20 the toiling white men OF the old states OF
the Union. This position Is tfie logical Sc
quence, the logical necessity. of the Republi-
can party. An anti-slavery party Is by the
irresistible force of its principles protection
rfy for "a hao oo1 ha risrhf af Lab Mr.
for the white man and the black man alike"
From this position, taken at the very begin
ming OF his political career, he never swerved
during his life. The famous interview pub
lished to the world in reply to Mr.. Cleveland's
special message TO congress, favoring tariff
for revenue only, became the shibbolethe Of
the party in the ensuing campaign.
know IL was claimed by the free traders
that Mr.. Blaine had weakened In his protection
sentiments that he had denounced In round
terms the Mckinley bill. l know that rs evil
dence of this they scattered broadcast one ex-
tract from q letter addressed TO me July IL,
1870 (and at that time published in fulD as
follows:
I do not doubt that In many respects that
the tariff bill pending in the senate Is a just
accordance with the wise policy of protection.
But there is not section or q line in the entire
bill that will open market for another bushel
is now placed on the free list without exacting
important trade concessions In return we
shall close the door for profitable reciprocity
against ourselves.
In this utterance Mr. Blaine was simply exc
pressing an opinion he had held for years. !
remember well when we removed the duties
from tea and coffee. He advised that this re-
peal should be used as wedge 10 open the
ports Of the countries producing these articles
20 the admission of certain Of our products
He opposed the removal of the duties from
sugar on the same ground insisting that we
were throwing awaya splendid opportunity
Of securing advantages TO our products In the
ports OF the sugar producing countries.
In this was In entire accord with him. His
declaration that there was not section or q
linein the entire bill that will open a market
for another bushcl Of wheat or another barrel
Of pork" was not indicative Of any opposition
90 the principles Of protection as illustrated In
the bill; only an insistance that free sugar
should be coupled In some way With seQuire-
Rsnt that the natiana 10 -ha hanAnteah ~ tAjs