Middletown transcript., 1893-02-04

.AMEs GILLEspIE BLAlNE.

JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE.
Americas greatest son is dead-he
who stood with Washington and Lin.
coin, the typical Americans of theil
day and generation. A patriot and a
statesman, he combined all the quali-
ties and traits that make up the great
man, the noble man, the american. No
man ever lived between the oceans who
was more thoroughly American in all
he said and did than he. His long,
glorious career was succession OF
patriotic acts, and no man ever loved his
country more or served her better than
he who to-day rests on the quiet hill
side of Oak Hill Cemetery. Vile
abuse and calnmny we're never heaped
upon man more than upon him, but
he lived it down, and at his death even
his strongest foes did him homage and
paid him tribute, and many of the
kindest enconiums pronounced ON him
have come from Democratic sources
who, while opposed to him in matters
of public policy yet had learned to ad-
mire him for his worth and his honesty.
Mr.. Blaine was the idol of the masses
of the Republican party. Always op-
posed by the politicians and the mug
wump element but was still, with the
majority, the object of its affection and
trust. He was loved by his followers
rs no other man was ever loved and
abused and yiliied by his enemies. In
his death the Republican party loses its
greatest leader, he who has been its
wisest aud safest counselor. What
Lincoln was to the party in its early
trials Blaine has been to it since.
Farewell Blainel the goal of your am
bition was not reached. But far above
what official position could give to you,
you heldthe love and affection and conf
dence of millions of your countrymen.
Your life was part and parcel of the
history Of the greatest nation of the
earth, the impress of your being upon
the Republic will last while the fabric.
of the Union remains. The Philadel-
phia Times pays this tribute to the de-
parted statesman:
The death of James Gillespie Blaine
is the sorest national bereavement the
country has suffered since the Assasin's
bullet crashed into the brain of Abra-
ham Lincoln. Many heroes and states
men have fallen since that fateful day
in the history Of the Republic. An
other President has been assasinated
and cut off almost on the threshold OF
the high duties to which the country
had called him, and other Presidents
have passed away with hosts who won
fame in field and forum; but the fall OF
no one man since the murder of Lin
coin, has SO deeply and so UNIVERSAL,
touched the hearts of the people as the
brief bulletin saying-''James G.
Blaine is dead.''
Mr.. Blaine will go into history as ono
of the two greatest leaders of the Re-
public. No two men won such idolatry |
from tie people rs rs Henry Clay and
james G. Blaine. They were in fact |
the ''leaders of the leaders" in their re.
spective parties, and both were fated
to drink the cup of bitterness to the
dregs in their failure to reach the Presi-
dency. None were worshiped with
such enthusiasm in their day and gen
sration. In all the sad mutation OF
politics which marked their illustri0us
careers, there never was time Whpl,
the mention of their names did nor
make hearts leap with enthusiasm ami
eyes brighten as the shouts of affection
went out to the world
The death of Mr.. Blaine is pr,,-
'ound national bereavement. He had
ived out the bitterness and resent
nents which one of his aggressive
and cousummate ability must
provoke, and party lines were effaced H.
he whole people paid homage to lhr
greatest and most brilliant of our fv-
ng statesmen. 1t was as the mpsl
and inspiring of leaders tina,
Blaine was honored in life, and it is as
he most idolized Of our public servail
hat he will be mourned in death. Ht
vas in close and ever inspiring touch
With the people. He was Of them; liz
Inew them by name and locality; his
,reat heart ever responded sympathri-
cally to every appeal of friend and foe;
md there is to-day sorrow alike in
Northern and Southern section; in the
ZONES of the opulent and lowly; in the
learts of the people of the nation, be-
ause the confessed ''leader of leaders"
las passed away.