The National tribune., 1893-02-02

be constructed across the Isthmus. Through
out the correspondence Mr.. Blaine firmly in
sisted that it was the fixed purpose OF the
United States to consider the Isthmus canal
question as an American question to be dealt
with and decided by the American Govern
ment.
Soon after Mr.. Blaine retired from public
Office he wrote book entitled Twenty Years
in Congress-" which few years later had
very wide sale, and secured general approval
for its impartial spirit and brilliant style.
AGAIN TO THE FRONT.
Mr.. Blaine showed at the Republican National
Convention of 1884 that he still had strong
hold upon the enthusiasm Of his party. On the
first ballot he received 3341 votes, and his vote
gained until the fourth ballot when he received
total of SAL out of S13, and was nominated.
The campaign that followed was marked by
great bitterness. Mr. Blaine took the stump
and made some remarkable speeches, devoted
chiefly to the unfolding of the policy of pro-
lection to American industries. But Mr.
Cleveland was elected.
The Republican National Convention Of
1888 was held at Chicago, beginning June
10. On Feb. 12 letter of Mr.. Blaine, written
at Florence, Italy. to Chairman b. F. Jones' of
the National Committee, was published, i'll
which Mr.. Blaine stated that as personal rea-
sons prevented his entering the contest, his
name would not be presented to the Conven-
ton.
In May another letter from Paris ap-
peared, which reaffirmed his words, and add
ing that he could not accept the nomination
now, for the additional reason that he would
be acting in bad faith toward other candidates
who might have relied upon the Florence let
ter. Nevertheless his name was presented at
the Convention. and he received 35 votes on
the first ballot but telegram from Edinburgh
requested Mr. Blane's friends to respect his
Paris letter So Mr. Harrison was nominated.
HARRIsoNs PREMIER.
Mr.. Blaine was appointed Mr.. Harrison's Sec
rotary of State. He took up and settled the
Samoan troubles with Germany, and the Pan
American Congress plan. and pushed until it
reached an arbitration committee the Bering
Sea difficulty, all of which had hung fire of
satisfactory adjustment under Mr.. Cleyeland's
Administration.
He settled to the credit of the United States
the complications growing ont of the New
Orleans tragedy, and the controversy with
Chile, aided by President Harrison, Acting Sec
rotary of State Wharton, and ex-Secretary
Tracy, Mr.. Blaine being i'll much of the time
THE LAST STAND.
Mr. Blaine's resignation, Juno 4. 1892, was
surprise to the country, indicating, as it did,
his purpose to enter as candidate for the
Presidential nomination. AS time wore on the
campaign III biaihe idSof tooH NC" iiie' He
old supporters of the Plumed Knight made a
brave stand for him at Minneapolis but Mr..
Harrison was nominated on the first ballot.
Mr.. Blaine's health began to fail him again,
after he entered upon his duties as Mr.. Harri-
sons Secretary of State, and this was further
influenced by the death of his son, Walker
Blaine Jan. 15 1890, and that of his second
son. Emmons Blaine few days after his resig
nation. These and the matrimonial troubles
of young James G. Blaine threw cloud over
the domestic life of Mr.. Blaine, and the whole
combined to make his end sadder and more de-
plorable.