Huntsville gazette., 1893-02-04
occasionally charged him with setting up jobs
In advance"
TRIBUTES FROM THE CABINET.


Blaine's services and genius In congress, In
politics and in literature. In diplomacy his
chief characteristic was his exalted American
ism. He was thorough believer in the
Monroe doctrine aud the reciprocity policy
which distinguished thu clos, OF his public
career was an outgrowth of his convictions re-
specting that doctrine. His diplomatic CORE
spondence will rank among the best OF his po-
htical productions. His reputation abroad
will mainly rest upon his acts secretary OF
state, and it is not an exaggeration to say that
in the past ten years, at least he has been the
best known American in foreign lands"
Secretary of the Treasury Foster: Il first
met Mr.. Blaine when he became a member
Of the forty second congress. and during
his six years OF brilliant service as
speaker Of the house. At that time he was in
full health and magnificent specimen, both
physically and mentally, Of mature man
hood. AS speaker he was absolute die
tator of the proceedings of the house
enjoying more fully the respect and
confidence of the members than perhaps any
other speaker. with, perhaps, the exception OF
Henry Clay, whose career Mr. Baines so much
resembled. His career has been one Of leader
ship, and without doubt he possessed the con-
fidence, respect and affection of the vast ma
jority of the American people more than any
man of his time. His fame is world wide.
His popularity and his hold upon the popl
lar affection was not confined to his own party.
His death will be sincerely mourned."
Attorney General Miller-"It is customary
to speak OF one who, being elected to the vice.
presidency, becomes president, as an acci-
dental president. With reference to Mr..
Blaine, it may be truly said that his failure to
be president vas an accident. Ths desire OF a
vain old gentleman, by ALTERATION, to make a
striking sentence defeated the worthy ambi
ton Of a lifetime, and in no small degree
changed the direction of public affairs in the
nation. In the whole history of the nation
there has scarcely been mora striking figure
than Mr. Blaine, and no personality in the
country is more strongly impressed upon his
contemporaries.
'Mr. Blaine, with tho exception of Henry
Clay, was the most brill mt statesman and
political leader this country has ever produced.
An excellent judge OF character, he understood
instinctively tho strong and weak points OF
those with whom he came in contact. Full of
human sympathy, he received all who ap-
preached him with a kindness and affability
that made them at once his friends. He was
a most accurate judge of public sentiment and
he knew what few men did, how to present
question OF public policy as to appeal to the
sympathy and win the support OF the people
He was a born leader of men and richly en-
dowed by nature with all those qualities that
make great statesman"
"in the United States thorough legal train
ing - almost Hia1spsnsaUU " y "a o"o aliSi "a
versiled public career That without such
training Mr.. Blaine could achieve success in
the public positions he has been called upon to
fill, Is an example of his extraordinary pow
ers."
James G. Blaine died within three days Of
the sixty third anniversary of his birth and
little less than thirty years from the time hs
entered congress, December, 1853 Daring this
long and event nj period he held the attention
and commanded the respect Of his countryme n
to a most extraordinary degree-more, think,
than any other political leader save Lincoln or
Clay. Like Clay. his followers were loving and
enthusiastic, and alike they achieved great
skill, but failed to reach the limit OF their am
bition-the presidency.
Blaine was highly intellectual and refined.
He hal great m ental discipline and vigOr, with
physical strength and tho courage OF his con-
victions. His learning and experience gave
him immense resources of precedent and Illus
tration, and no man was ever more ready to
see his opportunity or take advantage of his
opponent in debate. The facility and variety
of his attack and defense was unsurpassed.
He was distinguished as a congressman,
cabinet minister and as political
leader, displaying great wisdom in coun-
sci and formulating the principles and issues
Of his party with great accuracy. He has
eptomized great part of bis career in his
work Twenty Years in Congress" and added
to this perpetuated his fame by the literary
value of his narrative. / have heard Gen.
Sherman, whose Judgment in such matters was
acknowledged, say that Blaine's book was o
great work and that he considered its lucid
expressions and comprehensive and accurate
statements gave 1t rank with Macaulay's his
tory. 1t is one of our most valuable books.
"Blaine was an American, thoroughly and in
variably-he loved our country and its institu-
tions. His death will be greatly lamented, and
the whole nation will do his memory honor.
His critics will not be In this country"
Secretary Elkins: "Mr. Blaine was won
derfully gifted man. He was one Of the great
est statesmen and political leaders the country
has produced. He had, more than any other
political leader of the country, the staunchest
of friends. His control over men, lis power to
draw them to him and command their unsefsh
support, was beyond that OF any other party
leader in the history Of the country. His loss
will be widely felt, but his life will be contin-
uing inspiration to his party. Mr. Blaine
though thoroughly educated, never pa
raded his learning. He was versatile full
of resources and more widely in
formed than sny man or statesman o
his time. In certain sense he was modest.
seldom speaking of himself, his position OF
commanding influence. He was broad, liberia
anu just Always generous 10 All OppOHeuti
tender, gentle and affectionats towards hi:
friends. He sought the presidency in 1884; but
after that seemingly abandoned all hope oi
ever reaching that high place. or late years
he WAS not only the central figure in American
politics. but at all special gatherings and wher-
ever he went. In and out OF 0 flee he attracted
more friends and excited more enthusiasm
than any other citizen of the republic. Wher-
ever he went people always eagerly turned II
look at him or stopped to see him as he passed
by.
His claims to greatness will rest upon his
literary work and his stetesmanship. Either
would place him in the front rank of the great
est men of the republic His Twenty Years
in Congress" will stand az enduring monu-
ment and always make him truly great. The
strain put upon him and the effort made wher
writing his great work I think had much to dc
in breaking down his health. The production
of such a work in so short time; so just and
discriminating; SO fair to contemporaries and
to all; so thoroughly authentic and reliable.
stands in the history OF literature unparalleled
His kindness and enthusiasm, that SC
greatly attracted everyone, were often mani
tested in special degree to Pennsylvanians
among whom he was born. He liked to talk oi
people in Philadelphia who lived when he was
teacher and editor there. l shall not soon for
get the last hour l spent with him, when hs
talked freely about his feelings and his plans
about week before he went upstairs for the last
time. Pennsylvania may well be proud OF hen