The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-28

had morally offended ConkIing. The mortal
wound was given SO Co. C0nkiing said. by MI.
Blaine when he caused TO be read in the house
a letter from Provost Marshal Cen Fry to him
self tBiaine) in which direct accusations were
made against Mr.. Conklings pecuniary ana
official integrity. Conkiing told has brother
that when Mr.. Blaine publicly retracted and
repudiated these accusations then it would be
time to talk of reconciliation.
But the inciden: was mighty In Its conse-
quencea Il undoubtedly prevented the nomi-
nation OF ~. Blaine in 1876 and 1880 and con-
tributed to his defeat in 1854 On the other
hand can be traced to il the causes which ulti-
mately ed TO Mr.. Conkl:ng's retirement from
the senate In humiliation and to his with.
drawal forever from public life.
Mr.. Blaine As Speaker.
He made a superb speaker. When he was
first elected he had hardly entered the prime OF
life He was only 80 years of age. His hair and
beard, by an inherited tendency, were already
showing streaks of gray, but his complexion
was rudy, his skin as smooth as babes, and
the mysterious and splendid fascination OF
his eyes seemed constantly to increase with
political activity. He stood behind the speakers
desk superb specimen OF manly strength. 1t
was invgora,ing to those in the gallery and to
those upon the floor 70 look II him His eyes
seemed to be everywh here. He had mastered
the confusion OF sounds which prevail in that
turbulent body, as the head machinist is master
of the distraction of a great foundry or manu-
factory, so that he could detect instantly that
which was relevant and OF importance and that
which was of no consequence.
He held that great and noble body as abso-
luteiy at his command, as though 1t was a fam.
lily or q tribe of which he was the chief. He dis
patched business with CELEBRITY which seems
incredible. The stroke of his gavel meant au-
thority, and the house obeyed IL, and no eyes
which ever looked forth from the speakers
desk upon q throng animated By the most con-
sumirg OF the higher passions ever commanded
such obedience by glance as his Therefore
ne gained the respect when comes rom tae
Republicans in saying, There is q mani? IL
was The superb exhibition OF these qualities
which undoubtedly suggested first to the con-
sressmen OF his party, and through them to
vast numbers OF the party Throughout, the coun-
ny, that here was the man to succeed In the
presidency the hero of the civil war. =.
Blaine himself was an acknowledged candi-
date before he had finished his second term, and
be used his power as speaker unQueslonaoly,s SO
far as he honorably could, TO create the politics
which command a presidential nomination.
over In the senate there were three rivals OF his
for that nomination, two conspicuous-Mr. Nor
ton and Mr.. Conk.ing-and Mr.. Blaine played
his game against them and played II spendidly.
AT the beginning OF his third term as speaker he
realized that ii his grasp was not quite upon the
presidency his hand could almost touch the
prize.
His Moral Courage.
1t Is therefore all the more remarkable that
Mr.. Blaine was capa Die OF exploiting as he did
in the highest degree both moral courage and
audacty, which might seriously imperil his
prospects. His audaclty was displayed when he
WAS lrOIgnt lace 10 lace Win grave charges
affecting his integrity of character. Accu,a-
lions were publicly made that he had received
a price for his influence certain securities
from a railway seeking congressional aid. The
proof OF these accusations we've said 10 De IN
the possession OF a certain clerk named Muiilgan
and in the share OF letters. The trien is OF Mr.
Blaine looked very solemn in these days, and he
was himself most anxious.
One morning when this black cloud was
hanging over him aud his friends he arose to a
n "a 81 nj "a
a hint of MS intention. The great galleries were
packed. Every seat upon the floor was taken,
and senators had come from their chamber that
they might see and hear Blaine III this hour of
his desperation aud peril. For every discomfort
which TINS throng suffered they weSe amply
repaid. The scene which took place has been
almost unequaled in parliamentary annals.
Blaine stood there magnificent in his defiance.
He held aloft the bundle OF discriminating let
tiers, OF itself dramatic picture ana situation
worthy OF the greatest draDatlsts, and he de-
ciared with some sense of humiliation and per-
soDai outrage that he would himself read these
letters 10 the house. that its members might see
what those accusations were.
Bla ne was never more superb. He conquered
that house by his very magnihcence of resist
ance. He held himself at bay so that men
cheered and the galleries resounded to the echo
with tho applause of this spectacle. He read
letters through, and then, with a dramatic
power which. if it were acting, was a finer exhi-
bitlon OF the dramatic gilt than the greatest
actors have ever shown, he pointed the finger of
scorn and accusation at Proctor Knott and &C.
cused him of Withholding a telegram which
would have proved his innocence
Blaine's enemies always asserted that this
was acting. They did not deny the magnit-
cence of the performance, but they suspected its
sincerity. For his friends it was perfect vim
dicatlon, and for himself it was a complete vic
tory. as the formal charges were from that day
dropped. II was a perlious tep to take. Had
it failed Blaine must inevitably have been
ruined.
HIS moral courage was disp aged when, at the
very last OF his experience as speaker, he defied
tta, ,f,, I,,h ~ anatr IA
ing which he insisted was just and in accord
auce with his oath as speaker, but which en-
abled the Democratic minority successfully 10
maintain its fight against what was then called
the force bill. A weaker man than Blaine
would have been ruined by this ruling, but it
cost him no strength in his own party and
gained for him the admirttion OF many Demo-
Gratis, so that II was long afterward said that OF
ell Republicans Mr.. Blaine was the most popu-
lar with the Democracy
His First Failure.
He lost the presidential nomination in 1876
when il was almost his Personal animosity
uuQuestonably cost him that prize. The Of
Tense he had given to Conkiing and the anger
which he hal caused TO arise i'll the hearts of
men who controlled other delegations led to q
hasty com bination, which resulted on ballot
that sent M Blaine 10 the rear. Men wondered
how he would act in this emer gency His
heart had been so enthusiastically set upon the
nominate on that many believed he wonld show
some Of the weaknesses OF human nature, and
that we would discover the weak point in his
mental and moral equipment. But he revealed
the highest resources. He sent most cordial
dispatch 10 Gov. Hayes. the nominee, promised
10 take an active part in the canvass, and did,
going TO Maine and conducting there. as chair
man OF the state comm ttee a canvass which
was the admiration OF every man who saw il.
In these cauvasses politician Mr.. Blaine
was not less great tnap when upon the floor OF
congress. He frequently made a sleeping car
his home. They would hear him day in
Portland and the next i'll The lumber regions
He received dispatches and reports in TINS car
lie gave orders Ike general on field OF battle
lie brought himself into personal touch with
all of the politicians and as many citizens Os
posi- bic, and some of the anecdotes which
are To Il of The way in which he met sud
den EN- .rgencies suggest his wonderful intel
lectuai resources and the rapidlty OF his men tai
operation.
Blaine in the Senate.
His political munitions were illustrated in
another way az this time. lie uuQuestionaby
suggested the arrangement by which senator
Morrill,, OF his state, was transferred from the
senate chamber 10 Gen. Grants cabinet and
Blaine was appointed to Morrii's seat and
afIerward elected lie felt that his day OF use.
fuiness in the house was over. He had made
his record. and he believed that in the conn par.
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