The Forrest City times., 1893-02-03

w 'S 2lsdnes hone-
The tory OF the convention of 1881, which
nominated Mr.. Blaine on the first ballot is
fresh in all minds. The nominating speech of
Judge West, of Ohio was one OF the most
forceful ever delivered in presenting the name
of any man to a convention; and the history of
his defeat by Grover Cleveland in still green
memory
From 1884 to 1888. during the time of Presi-
dent Cleveland's administration. Mr. Blaine
devoted himself entirely to his family. He
spent year in an extended tour abroad not
returning to America until after the nomna
ton OF Mr.. Harrison.
When Mr.. Blaine returned to WASHINGTON in
the fall of 1883, buoyant in mind after declining
the use of his name the candidate for presi
dent and ready to assume to premiership of the
cabinet of President Harrison. he had happy
family about him. Mr.. Blaine took up the
work of the state department where ne had
laid it down in answer to the bullet Of Guiteau.
In the brief period of less than four years
that he was President Harrson's secretary of
state troubles came to him AMI whitened his
head and enfeebled his frame. In that brief
interval his g lest son. the pride of his heart,
and his eldest daughter had died; his youngest
son, whom he had perhaps spoiled by overiu-
diligence, had dragged his name through the
divorcs court and public prints. Then more
crushing than all. the sudden death OF his sec
ond son. the one OF whom the father was
very proud In the opinion of Mr.. Blaine
physicians no man, even with the frame
of giant and the will of a Napoleon,
could resist disease while living in the
shadow of such chain of sorrows as this and
the efforts of the men OF science were con-
stantly handicapped by the hand of Providence.
Few public men have ever occupied the place
that James G. Blaine has for many years filed
in the hearts of the American people. Henry
Clay is most often compared to him and there
are many strong points of resemblance Clay
and Blaine both possessed in marked degree
those qualities of attraction, Of sympathetic
intuition which now fttingy described
as personal magnetism. 1t is said that
Mr. Blaine rarely forgot face, or the
name that belonged to it. He had the
faculty Of making those with whom he
came in contact believe that he took the
strongest an1 most direct personal inter
est in them. 1t was said of him that he could
decline a request for favor in such way as
to make friend by an act which would have
made an enemy for most men. His conversa-
tional powers were necessarily, from what has
been said of high order. His fund of iuforma
ton, while not as thorough or as accurate as
he no doubt would have liked owing to his
lack of early advantages, was most extensive
and there We're few subjects on which he could
not converse entertainingy As a man of
business, he was remarkably successful and
his Judgment respecting investments al
most inF3llible. This capacity in this direction
gave great weight to many of his ideas and
suggestions respecting the commercial policy
of the country.
Mr.. Blaine's position was unique. BY his
friends and admirers he was este .med n man
of stern integrity. statesman of far seeing,
prophetic vision, an orator of matchless elc-
quence a leader without fear and without re-
proach. His enemies, and hs had many both
political and personal, called him crafty, I'M
scrupulous and corrupt in money matters,
scherning politician with no elements OF great
ness, an orator who dealt in words and phrases
only, leader who for himself first and
always. 1t Is probable that he was by no means
without faults and certain that he had many
qualities OF greatness (; in other words that the
truth lies somewhere between the lavish en-
coniuns of his friends and the bitter charac.
terization of his enemies
Mr. Blaine died rich man even as wealth is
reckoued in these days. He was worth close on
to million of dollars, if not more than that
amount 1t is probable that il some of his
speculative Investments could be sold out
under advantageous circumstances that his
wealth would include him In any list of mil
lionaires. His holdings of coal lands are large
and with the development of the country must
greatly increase in value il kept intact for sew.
eral years.
Mr.. Blaine, BY reason of his wide popularity
was associated with a number of men of wealth
III various enterprises, and his sagacity and
business foresight kept him from WASTING
much money on brilliant but illusionary
speculative projects. He was interested with
Secretary Eikins years ago in silver mine.
out OF which he made considerable money
at the time OF his death he owned real estate
in the city OF Washington which would prob.
ably sell under the hammer for more than q
quarter of a million of dollars
His holdings Of West Virginia and pennsyl.
vanis coal lands are considerable Mr. Blaine
was one of the directors in the West Virgins
Central Railroad Co.. in which ex- Senator Da.
Wis. Secretary Elkins ex Secretary Bayard ant
others are interested This road taus
coal and timber lands which Mr. Blaine bought
years ago very chsaplv and which
have become valuable through the railroad
connections. His wealth includes bank stocks
but the approximate value can not be stated
A gentleman who was intimately acquainted
with Mr.. Blaine said that in his opinion Mr.
Blaine broke himself down by incorporate
work and irregular habits of eating Mr. Blaine
was high pressure worker. Whenever ne be-.
came deeply interested ia a subject Mr. BLAINE,
ardent nature led him to work beyond hi,
strength. He would shut himself I'D in his
room, would not allow himself to bs disturbed
and would not eat. sleep rest until he hag
finished his task. He seemed to have adopte
who works In much the same way, gave to
youth: Don't look at the clock