Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-01-27

trymen calls for something more than a
passing repetition of the facts of his
career. The mere facts were easily re-
cited. It were brief and cursory task
torecount the capital events and land
marks of his life. Born in West Browns
VILE Pa, on the 31st of January, 1880.
educated first at home and afterward at
Washington college; teaching for short
time in military school at Blue LicA
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 seat 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 nominated;
twice secretary of state in the cabi-
nets of his competitors; leader of his
party; publcist; diplomatist Of the first
rank; creator of policies national and in
temational; statesman, author, man of
genius, and therefore an enigma-such
have been the critical stages and evolu.
lions of this remarkable career.
But biographical annals do not suffice
mthc case before US, The so called life
Of Blaine is already a twice-told tale. 1t
Snown 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 viSion-to be fairly estimated, justly
interpreted to the understandings of his
.Ountrymen revealed without partiality
faithfully portrayed upon the screen in
inc backward look Of memory.
Blaine was fayorably but paradoxical
Y born-favorably, because of the en-
Placement Of his birth. Pennsylvania is
ono OF the empire states of the Union
Vu' OF her borders many of the great
nave arisen. But he also came paradox
Nally' He was born in a Quaker com
@Nohwealth and of the cross blood of a
Fresoyterian and u Catholicl Was he
uOe IRON birth the product of contradict
wy conditions and inconsistent elements
Of hfeY
IL concerns us little to note the cir
CCu'Gstances y in the early career of James
" Blaine. His ambitions, intellectual
pwers and easy attainments were re-
marked from his boyhood. Tradition
ass "a made it evident that he was youth
VI unusual powers, Glimpses of great
purpose flash out here and there. His
lIOneslate training at Washington col
sse was not unfavorable to the promo.
"On OF his native forces. AS youth he
gun, ss'aed much by forensic practice, Con-
Siuoh made him, OF at least gave him,
mo nS pcnt. Already at college he gathered
'u.sS many OF the historical, literary and sci
Si1 a'inc resources which were to stand
'Ig p, 50 well in hand in his ripper years.
,..u D'a'hes S mind was one of those that are
n ppss'uGSularly susceptible to the influences
O' ~ euucation and environment. The
,~u'pleted man, as he appeared in this
,on, ,matSaole q parsonage, was very different
s."S Su tne completed man as he is discov-
Eos Eou IN such characters as Franklin and
ma mIry' Ih0ddeus Stevens and Lincoln
ss.S ~'%,ne irom his earlier years grew and
tnui animated to himself all the sap and po-
n Ivy y. Ot his surroundings; he hourished
ws w. SOL and sprang from the arena.
nen.e may pass by the somewhat obscure
wo.,s ~Sslces OF his domestic estate. The
ny, s',u knows that in this regard he was
|h,s happy Or an inspired man. This
ro.. V'en true of too many Of our recent
Ama..A americans, Somehow or other in
davs ds''csn "a life it rarely happens nova
oio,hough 1t seemed to happen in the
mao., ou'a epoch often-that the domestic
~rno oh upon the man of genius and
,"su,Ve HgVse works out its most benefcent
|lslr :, Blaine has been indeed singu-
Ara Soas unfortunate in his family. Many
| |h0sn,a Themost promising has lately
|DOnh., others are broken with hurt
0''esS the proud man, as husband