Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-02-04

tTymen calls for something more than a
passing repetition of the facts of his
career. The mere facts We're easily re-
cited. 1t were a brief and cursory task
TO recount the capital events and land
marks Of his life Borr in West Browns
vile, Pa, on the 31st Of January, 1880:
educated first at home and afterward at
Washington college; teaching for a short
time in a military school at Blue Lick
Springs, Ky; finding there and taking
In marriage Harriet Stanwood, a teacher
like himself; returning to his native state
to teach in Philadelphia; going with his
young wife to her home in Maine and
making that state his future home;
editor at twenty-four Of the Kenne-
bee Journal; associate editor Of the Port
land Advertiser; bounding into politics.;
reaching the legislature of Maine and
then a scat in congress; seven terms a
member of the house Of representatives
and for six years speaker of that body;
briefly in the senate-an arena unsuited
TO his genius; aspiring TO the presidency;
four times voted for in national conven-
tons of his party and once nominpted:
twice secretary Of state in the cabi
nets Of his competitors; leader Of his
party; publicist; diplomatist Of the first
rank; creator Of policies national and in
ternational; statesman, author, man of
genius, and therefore an enigma-such
have been he critical stages and eyolu-
tiops f this remarkable career.
Eut Sio2 'aphical annals do not suffice
fya rl,a hot Cd l &,
Of Blaine is already a twice-told tale. 1t
is known in the quick memories Of his
countrymen and to the world. Blaine
deserves rather - now that outward
bound he passes the remotest bar Of hu-
man yision-to be fairly estimated, justly
interpreted to the understandings Of his
countrymen, revealed without Partially,
faithfully portrayed upon the screen in
the backward look Of memory.
Blaine was favorably but paradoxical-
ly born-favorably because Of the en-
placement Of his birth. Pennsylvania is
one Of the empire states of the Union,
Out Of her borders many of the great
have arisen. But he also came paradox
.oally. He was born in a Quaker com
monwealth and of the cross blood Of a
Presbyterian and a Catholic! Was he
not from birth the product Of contradict
DRY conditions and inconsistent elements
Of life?
1t concerns US little to note the cir
cuInstances in the early career Of James
G. Blaine. His ambitions, intellectual
powers and easy attachments were re-
marked from his boyhood. Tradition
has made it evident that he was a youth
Of unusual powers. Glimpses Of great
purpose flash out here and there. His
collegiate training at Washington col
lege was not unfayOrable to the promo.
don of his native forces. As a youth he
gained much by forensic practice. Con-
sention made him, OF at least gave him,
his oent Already at college he gathered
many of the historical literary and sci
entitc resources which were to stand
him so well in hand in his ripper years.
Blalnes mind was one of those that are
particularly susceptible to the influences
Of education and environment. The
completed man. "a he appeared in this
remarkable parsonage, was very different
rom the completed man as he is discov-
cred in such characters as Franklin and
Henry IhadGeus Stevens and Lincoln.
Blaine from his earlier years grew and
asslmilated t. himself all the sap and POI
sency Of his Crroundings; he fourished
IN hls soil ano sprang from the arena.
we may pass by the somewhat obscure
influences Of his domestic estate. The
world knows that in this regard he was
act happy or an inspired man. This
mas been true Of too many Of our recent
sFeit Americans. somehow or other In
american hte 1t rarely happens nova
aays-though it seemed to happen In the
colonial epoch often-that the domestic
reaction upon the man Of genius and
purpose works ont its most benefcent
1asalts. Blaine has been indeed ginpr-
AIRY unfortunate in his family. Many
sFa eead. The most promising has Lately
1~~4en; others are broken with hurt.
3olbt.e5s tie r-3ld man. a. husband