Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-01-05
AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE
To Americas Most Prominent
Statesman.
A just and Beautiful Estimate of James
q. Blaine.

Under date of New York, Decemb ber
10, Murat Halstead writes as follows to
the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette1.
The news from Washington hardly
leaves room for reasonable expectation
OF the recovery of Mr.. Blaine from his
illness. 1t is not too much to say the
announcement is official and certain,
that there are but a few more hours or
days in life for him. The announce
ment of organic disease made by his
physician on Saturday was most grave.
The fact that this was done with the
approval of the family was startling to
those who knew what fortress the
Blaine household has been against the
circulation of rumors unfavorable to
the health of the head of the house.
There have been many stories of mortal
troubles affecting Mr.. Blaine, and all
his vital organs have been in turn as
sailed and the several theories of NAL
aides have been pursued with pertinac-
ity that has often been impertinent and
sometimes mendacious. The simple
truth is that Mr.. Blaine has not been
robust mau since 1876; but he has not
been sufferer from organic trouble.
His constitution was excellent, though
he inherited from his grandfather a
gouty tendency that was often painful,
but never dangerous. While he did
not possess great physical strength, he
was marvelously elastic in his organi-
cation, and his fiber, while delicate,
was enduring. Life with him was viv-
id. 1t sparkled and flashed and gilt
tered. He became famous as magnet
ic, and his magnetism was imputed to
him as an art. 1t was the simple ex-
preston of his nature. He enjoyed
himself and fascinated others. He
was amazingly conscious of all that
was going on. There was music in
him that was responsive to every emo
tion. All that was beautiful was de-
light. All that was harmonious was
Joy. He had genius of appreciation
to be happy. to be unhappy. The
landscapes, the clouds, the ocean, the
armament, unfolded to him their deep
est charms. Pictures were as poems to
him, and music consoled and inspired
him. Thus it happened that there was
for him in the movement of affairs
friction that was wearing, worries that
were consuming, and with his temper
ament he could not be Indifferent or
inactive, and his troubles, as we'll as
his pleasures, were intense, and hence
early in the sixties-he was born Janu-
ary 81, I830-he wears out. He grew
in mental strength and activity until
sixty years of age, and the finest strokes
of craftsmanship were those of the ad-
ministrations of Garfield and Harrison.
He became by sheer individual force
the brilliancy of his initiative, the ca
gerness of his energies, the steady force
of his will and the clear challenging
courage that distinguished him-the
leader of the Republican party when
General Grant was President. This
leadership was disrupted because it was
too remarkable in one so young to es-
cape the bitterest antagonism, but it
was justified and prevailed. If it
could have been duly recognized in
good time, if Blaine's organizing tai
ent and personal potentiality could
have been associated with the Presi-
dency when the great General left the
Chief Magistracy we do not doubt that
he could have been of incalculable
value to his country, and his last days
would not have been overshadowed by
the chilly gloom of the decreed and
impending restoration of the Demo-
cratic party to the high places of the
Government. Repeatedly in conven-
tions, by tiukes and frauds and errors
that were not his own, he was defeated
for the Presidency, but his fame as the
foremost American of his time is as
certain as that of Webster or Clay, and
ne takes his place in the splendid line
of Secretaries of State, not less glori-
ously distinguished than that of the
President. He was once most ambi-
tious candidate for the Presidency. but
his defeat in the convention of 76 and
subsequent expei fences divested for
him the great Office of all captivating
illusions. He was profoundly moved
by the murder of Garfield, and dis
heartened by the endless crookedness
and malice of those who seemed to be
his enemies for the sake of enmity.
He was never bearer of grievances.
His nature was broad and sunny. He
was forgiving, kind and geNerous-ca-
pable of the keenest indignation, but
with not a possibility of malignity.
When the nomination for the Presi-
dency was thrust upon him it was con-
trary to his judgment. He made an
effort that was absolutely sincere, and
strenuous as possible, to secure the can
didacy for General Sherman, and be-
fore the convention said he would be
defeated just little. but enough, in
New York. He could have been nomi
mated by acclamation in 1888, but said
he was not a claimant of the Presi-
dency, and had had his day in court.
He knew he might be elected, and was
certain Harrison could be. His self
denial and sagacity were the beginning