Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-02-03
His Birth and Early Career.

James Gillespie Blaine was born in West
Brownsville, Pa, Jan. 81, 1880. He was
the second son of Epriam l.. blaine and
Maria Gillespie. On his fathers side he
inherited the hardy and energetic qualities
of the Scotch-Irish blood. His great grand
father was an officer in the Revolutionary
war Mr.. Blaine's father was a man of
liberal education, who had travelled in Eu-
rope and South America before settling
down in Western Pennsylvania, where he
served as prothonotary. Mr.. Blaine's
mother, a woman of superior intelligence
and force of character, was devout Cath
Ollie, but her son adhered to the Presbyte-
ran convictions of his paternal Scotch
Irish ancestry. Mr.. Blaine's early educa-
ton was in charge of good teachers, and at
the age of - he entered Washington col
lege in his own county, graduating in 1S47.
He had marked taste for historical studies
and excelled in literature and mathematics.
After graduation he became teacher in
military school at Blue Lick Springs, KY,
where he became acquainted with Miss
Harriet Stanwood of Maine, who was con-
nected with a young ladies' seminary.
Their marriage took place in few months.
Mr. Blaine returned to Pennsylvania and
after studying law for a short time became
teacher in an institution for the blind in
Philadelphia. In 1854 he moved to Au-
gusta, Maine, bought a half-interest in the
Kennebec Journal and became its editor.
Within three veo-? he was master spirit
in the politics Of the state.
He engaged in the movement for the
formation of the Republican party with all
his energy, and his earnest and incisive
discussion of the rising conflict between
freedom and slavery attracted much atten-
ton In 1856 he was a delegate to the
first Republican national convention, which
nominated Gen. Fremont for the presi
dency. AT public meeting on his return
home he first gained a reputation as pub
lie speaker. In 1858 he was elected to the
Maine legislature, remaining member
through successive annual reflections for
four years, serving as speaker the last two.
At the beginning of the civil war Mr.
Blaine gained distinction not only for his
parliamentary skill, but for his forensic
power in the debates which grew out of
that crisis. He was chairman of the Re-
publican state committee of Maine for 20
years, beginning in 1858, and shaped and
directed every political campaign of the
party in the state during this period.
His Record In Congress.
In 1862 he was elected to Congress, where
he served in one branch or the other for is
years To the House he was chosen for
seven successive terms. His growth in po-
stion and influence was rapid and I'M
broken. His close study of political his
tory, his accurate knowledge of the record
and relations of public men, and his unfail-
ing memory gave him great advantage. AS
member of the committee on post offices
he was largely instrumental in securing the
Introduction of a system of postal cars.
lie earnestly sustained all measures for the
vigorous prosecution of the war but sought
to make them judicious and practical. The
measures for the reconstruction of the
states that had been in rebellion largely
engrossed the attention of Congress from
1865 to 1869, and Mr.. Blaine bore prom
inent part in their discussion. 1t was
through his efforts that the theory thai
apportionmeent should be based on voters
instead of population was abandoned. Re
construction was completed under wha
was known as the Blaine amendment.
The Imprisonment in England of Cos
tello, an Irishman who was naturalizeC
American citizen, for alleged completely II
Fenian plots, caused Mr. Blaine to become
leader in resisting the English doctrine
OF perpetual allegiance, and maintaining
that naturalized American citizen wal
entitled to the same protection abroad al
a native American. The result was thu
release of Costello and the treaty of 1870
II which Great Britain abandoned the doc
Urine of "Once a subject always subject,
and accepted the American principle o
equal rights and protection for adOpte'
and native citizens. Mr.. Blaine was chos
en- speaker of the house of representative
IN 1870, and served by successive reelec
lions for six years. His administration o
the speakership was one of the most bril-
Iant in the annals of the house. In 1877
the Democrats obtained control of tn
house and Mr.. Blaine became leader of tn
minority.
The MuIIIgan Letters.
Early in 1876 Mr.. Blaine was charge
with receiving S64, 900 from the Union Pa
cine railroad company for some underline
,'Fyices. Mr.. Blaine made answer in tn
mousse, producing letters from the officer
ol The company, and the bankers who wer
sand to have negotiated the draft, in whic