The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-02-04
Death of James G. Blaine.

Washington, D. c., on Friday of last week,
aged sixty-three years. Mr.. Blaine had
been prominent figure in American poll
tics for quarter of a century. He served
fourteen years in the House of Representa-
tiyes, six years in the United States Sen
ate and was twice Secretary of State. The
Presidency was the goal of his ambition,
but he was never able to attain it, and died
with his ambition unsatisfed. He sought
the Republican nomination for that high
Office in 1876 and 1880 unsuccessfully. In
1884 he was nominated but was defeated
at the polls, and was candidate again last
year, against his chief.
Mr. Blaine was a man of large ability,
but he was more politician than statesman.
In twenty years in Congress not single
important measure bears his name. In
debate he stood almost without peer, and
his great ability as a parliamentarian was
well shown during his three terms as
Speaker of the House.
He was magnetic, and had larger per-
sonaI following than any man in recent
years. His most ardent supporters, how
ever, we're those who admired his dash, his
audacity, his brilliancy. They followed
him because of this, not that he represented
any dis tinct policy or any special idea. for
Blaine did not Only in his decline did
he ever give his party an issne-recipro-
oity-and the jealousy of those then in
command served to keep it in the back
ground. Had the party accepted Mr.
Blaines advice, and embraced the doctrine
of reciprocity. it would have, in all proba
biIity, obtained further lease of power.
The rising tide Of tariff reform would have
been stayed awhile longer, but the leaders
were welded to McKinleyism and by their
blindness, their refusal to heed the warn
ings of recent popular verdicts, their refu-
sal to listen to the voice of the people, they
plunged the party into the gulf of defeat
from which it will not soon rise.
In many respects Mr.. Blaine stood with
out a parallel in American politics The
likeness to Clay, so often portrayed, Is
strained Their similarity begins with their
strong personal popularity and ends with
Il R-.l .l,n Dxa-1Aan.t- 70
which each often aspirsd and to which each
Blended all his energies. Clay used only
honorable means; Blaine used all the arts
Of demagogy When defeated in 1884, he
did not acknowledge it, but telegraphed
his lieutenants to ''claim everything, and
hoped for another repetition Of 1861.
Clay was not sensational; Blaine was ever
essaying the unexpected Clay was states
man aud politician; Blaine was more poll
tician than statesman; Clay was national in
the breadth of his views; Blaine was sec
tional. Both were brilliant, both were
orators, and both died with their aspira-
tons unsatisied.
No American has been so eulogized by
his party, and it is boldly asserted that he
was the greatest American statesman of
the century. We would not detract from
his merits, for he was able and brilliant,
but it is poor compliment to American
statesmen TO call Blaine the chief. A score
in his day outranked him-Sherman, Conk
ling, Edmunds, Thurman, Beck, Cleveland.
Carlisle and others. They not only out
ranked him in craftsmanship, but they all
have cleaner records. No suspicion against
the purity of their public careers has been
breathed-so much cannot be said for
Blaine.
In death the mantle Of charity should be
thrown around the dead, but this cannot
be wholly done when with one accord the
blind admirers of the deceased pervert truth
and detract from the living by fulsome
praise, worse than extravagant adulation
and superlative claims of eminence Of their
hero.