Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27

military school there that he made the ac-
quaintance OF the lady vino afterward became
ms wife. Later he went TO PhiIadelphia, where
ne taught school and studied law. After pros
eeutinS his studies of law for two years he
abandoned that profession and in 1853 moved
TO Maine. locating at Augusta He bought the
hennebec Journal and began his career as Q
journalist, which finally led him into politics
where bis great fame was won. After dscou-
Gnulng his associations with the Kennebec
Journal he became editor of the Portland
Adrerfiser. In 1856 he was q delegate to the
convention at Philadelphia which nominated
Fremont Two years later he was elected to
the state legislature and was afterward speaker
OF the lower house. The reputation he gained
there sent him TO Congress in 1852 when began
his congressional career of twenty years. Dur
ing the Fortv-frst, Forty-second and Forty
third Congresses he was Speaker Of the House
SENATOR AND CABINET MINISTER
In 1875 MIR. Blaine was appointed to the Sem
ate to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton OF Senator Morrill,. and the next winter
was elected by the legislature to the succeeding
term. His career in the Senate was both bril-.
liant and distinguished, as it had been in the
House. He Was called from the Senate to en-
ter President Garfeld's cabinet as Secretary of
State. The death of Mr.. Garfield led to Mr.
BlaInes retirement from the cabinet in De-
eember. 1882. From that date until he en-
tered Mr.. Harrison's cabinet as Secretary OF
ii
campaign for the presidency in 1884. Whether
IN public position or in private life, he always
remained central figure in national affairs.
During his retirement he wrote his Twenty
Years Of Congress" work Of great historical
value.
Asa STATESMAN.
Mr.. Blaine must rank in all impartial history
as one Of the very first American statesmen.
He was man of extraordinarily keen percep-
tion and of broad views. The horizon of his
VISION enclrcled the universe and his sympa-
thIes put him III touch with mankind. Having
extraordinary intellectual endowments, he was
diligent student. and not satisfied as most
brilliant men are to fash forth the ideas that
come from quick perception. he studied deeply
all questions which called for his attention and
completely mastered al! that he ever under
took. Capable OF discovering at a glance what
only dilIgent research discloses to most men. he
devoted time to the careful study o. details
and went 10 the very bottom of a question:
toihng earnestly a. the veriest plodder. His
brIlliancy. therefore. had netting substantial
IN It and his sagacity was as great as his wit
With natural powers which enabled him to lead
men his aims were always higher than personal
agSrandizement and he was never ademagogue
His undertakings were all ambitious and their
magnitude often placed them beyond the IN
Outstanding of the mere politicians. who are in
the majority in affairs of government His
purpose has always been to extend the power
and influence of the nation. He would have
placed this republic before the whole world.
He comprehendeG the spirit of our free in
situations few men are capable of compre-
bending them. He could see what the growth
of those institutions should be and wanted to
remove all obstacles and encourage their ex-
pansion to the Logical extreme. In all affairs
of government he aimed at that which would
be lasting and genera! rather than that which
would be confined and temporary. however
tempting might be the inducsment 10 meet
press NJ demands He recognized that the ad-
vantage OF this government over all others lies
IN the scarcity of restrictions placed upon the
individual and the opportunity it opens to all
for the pursuit of prosperity. With liberty as
sured he saw that the progress of the nation
depended upon the enlargement of the oppor-
tCnites for individual effort. He believed it
to lie function OF the government to open up
and expand the opportunities of its citizens,
and that then individual effort would develop
the progress which would place this first among
nations. To his mind this whole continent was
lot too large theater for American enterprise.
He saw the undeveloped wealth that lies at our
borders; he knew that there WAS great COM
merce of the western hemisphere to be devel-
oped. 1t was q question whether this wealth
and commerce should go to strengthen the
monarchies Of Europe or whether It should be
developed under the institutions which our
tOrefathers planted on this continent; whether
this continent should be developed and made
productive for It's own people, or whether 1t
should be merely contributory to power at
variance with the system Of government which
prevails here.