Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-02-03

the floor of congress lie frequently made
a sleeping car his home They would hear
of him one day in Portland and the next in
the lumber regions. He received dispatches
and reports in this car. He gave orders
like "a general on field of battle. He
brought himself into personal touch with
all of the politicians and as many of the
citizens as possible, and some of the anec-
dotes which are told of the way in which
lie met sudden emergencies suggest his
wonderful intellectual resources and the
rapidty of his mental operation.
Blaine In the Senate.
His political intuitions were illustrated
in another way at this time. He unques
tionably suggested the arrangement by
which Senator Morrill,, of his state, was
transferred from the senate chamber to
General Grants cabinet and Blaine was
appointed to Morrill's seat and afterward
elected He felt that his day of usefulness
in the house was over. He had made his
record, and he believed that in the compar-
alive quiet of the senate chamber he would
find some rest, and would also be able to
carry on the politics which had the presi-
Dental nomination of 1880 in view. His
friends always felt that his life in the TN
ate was irksome He adapted himself to
the traditions of that somewhat lethargic
body, but at the cost of some personal dis
cipline. OF course his personality was felt
there, but as senator he added but little
if any to his repute.
While he did not enter upon the canvass
for the presidential nomination of 1850 in
that dashing and inspiring way which char
acterized him previous to 1876, yet he h I'd
the nomination in view and knew that he
was the choice of large part of the politi-
cal leaders and felt that he was of the masses
of his party. He advised but he did not
dictate, and he let his political friends do
the work of combination to great extent.
He would unquestionably have been nomi
mated had he not been compelled to face the
enormous popularity of General Grant,
which was increased by his trip around the
world, and was made use of with great skill
by the politicians. But though Blaine could
not beat General Grant in the convention
himself, he could name the man who could
beat him, and thus General Garfield became
the candidate.
Garfield could make no other choice than
Blaine for secretary of state, but what
Blaine's career as secretary and Garfield's
as president would have been of course is a
matter of surmise. The impression has al
ways been that Blaine's personality would
l
was, however, pledged to Garfield to sup
FORT him for a denomination.
Blaine in Emergency.
Mr.. Blaine was with General Garfield at
the time he was assassinated, and from the
nervous shock he then received he never
fully recovered. He had never been the
II an physically after the sunstroke of 1876
that he was before. But this fearful expe
tia IN Sh
than that. His hair, which had been iron
gray, grew white, as did his beard, and his
C mpleXion became of that waXy hue which
led many to believe that he had organic
disease.
lie was, however, capable of audacity
and courage, and it was he who proposed
to the members Of the cabinet during Gar
fields illness that the cabinet should an
pounce TO the country that the president
was suffering from such disability as the
constitution contemplated when it de
clared that the vice president should in
such cases exercise the duties of the Office.
Mr.. Blaine felt that there ought TO be no
question about the soundness of this view,
and it was his opinion that ii General Gar
field recovered he would resume the office
He was overruled, however, by the cab net
as matter of public eXpediency, although
it was admitted that in case of war or great
emergency it might be necessary to take
such II step. The incident, however. is char
acteristic of the man.
Blaine in Retirement.
During the winter following the assas
sination of Garfield those who went to the
congressional library used frequently to
zee man of quiet manner porting over
Did volumes, searching the bookshelves,
wandering about like a literary recluse,
and when they recognized him they were
amazed that he who had won so great fame
and was the idol Of SO many Americans
should be content to conceal himself in
misty alcoves and among musty books
Mr. Blaine, however, was permitting the
activity of his mild to take another direc
ton. lie had retired from Arthur's cab
met, but could not be idle, and he decided,
therefore, to take up the literary pen and
describe political history as he had been
familiar with it. lie rejoiced in the work
1t was the first leisure of the library and
the study which he had permitted himself
since school days.
When men knew that Blaine was writ
ing this history they said, "Now he will pay
off grudges, and now he will give us his
opinion of men and events In his character