Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-27

anu When lhey recognized him they were
amazed that be who had won so great fame
ana was the idol Of so many Ameri ans
should be content to conceal himself in
misty alcoves and among musty books
Mr.. Blaine, however was pcrrnittinc the
activity OF his mind 10 take another d rec
ton. He had retired from Arthur's cal,
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. He rejoiced in the work
1t was the first leisure Of the library and
the study which lie had permitted himself
since school days.
When men knew that Blaine was writ
ing this history they said, Now he vii paw
OIL grudges, and now he will give us his
opinion of men and events in his chara cter-
istlc manner" In about two years the first
volume was issued, and it caused amaze
ment Blaine the warrior was revealed as
Blame the true historian. He told his story
IN simple literary style, with great lucidity
and with such fairness as could only have
been expected of historian of a II ture
generation. He wrote of his personal enc
mics as justly and as kindly as OF his
friends, and he made q contribution to po-
lltlcal history which is invaluable. The
sale of the work was enormous, and it's
profits made Mr.. Blaine very wealthy
man. He said himself that it was only
after the receipts of the sale of this book
that he realized the luxury of possessing
money.
The pathos of the story of General Grant
writing his memoirs upon his deathted is
the most sublime of general history. But
it has seemed to many that there is some
thing ofpathos in the quiet resignation with
which Mr.. Blaine returned to tho writing
OF the second volume of his history after his
defeat for the presidency in 1854. lie had
lost the prize when change of 600 votes
could have given it to him. The alliterative
blunder of Burchard had defeated HIM in
his moment Of victory, and if ever politi-
clan went through an experience which was
to test the strength Mr.. Blaine did in those
winter days of 1884 and 1850
He uttered one word of protest I'd al
most of despair, and then he took up his
| pen again, walking for an hour or two each
day over the crusted snow OF the Augusta
| streets that he might get exercise, and
when friends went there to see him they
/ found him Blaine the man-rcsigned, pa,
! tent, cheerful, but with symptoms now
| and then of the fire of genius which burned
| within him. When his book was COM
! pleted he took his family to Europe and
! spent year, and it was while there that,
! acting in accordance with tho monitions OF
! his physician, he wrote the Florence letter
| bidding his friends that they must not look
/ to him as a presidential candidate, for he
could not accept the nomination if it came.
| Reluctantly and only after a second warn
ing from him did his friends heed him.
! Had he remained passive while abroad he
/ would have been nominated in 1883.
| Secretary Again.
With something of the serenity Of the
! youth of old age Mr.. Blaine entered for his
second term upon the duties of secret airy OF
state. His mental genius asserted itself in
! that Office again, and while his pt ysical
characteristics and the arlior of his youth
had been subjected to change the power o!
his mind was illustrated. lie conducted
most brilliant diplomatic correspon lence
and he formulated the most important com.
mercial and financial policy which the gov.
eminent had undertaken since the war
with the single exception of the resumption
of specie payments. He turned the atten
ton of the politicians from questions bred
of the war to those of the future and gave
| promise of commercial prosperity between
the nations of the American continent
1t is probably upon this achievement that
Mr.. Blaine relied for posthumous fame. He
said when the politicians went to him urg
ing him again to be candidate for presi