The Indianapolis journal., 1893-01-28

prevent Mr.. Blaine 10 be the Republican candi-
date for the presidency, they were dropped by
their originatOrs. AT the same time investga-
tions were going which were conceived with
the expectation of running the reputation OF sew
eral leading Republicans. one or these had Tor
its object the connection OF General Grant with
the whisky ring. and so tar had this wicked spir-
it extended that papers were found in one OF the
bureaus which showed that one OF General
Grants Cabinet was at least, knowing to a con-
spracy to fix upon him this monstrous charge.
Mr.. Blaine was then serving his seventh term
in the 6ouse-the longest period that a man had
ever been successfully elected In Maine dis
trict How long he would have continued TO
represent the Kennebec district no one would.
dare predict, since he had the confidence and es-
TEEN OF his constituency as few men are able TO
secure such tributes: Governor Connor LETT this
an unsolved riddle by appointing Mr. Blame 10
the Senate TO I'LL the vacancy caused by the reslg
nation of Hon. Lot NJ Morrill, TO accept the Of
flee of Secretary OF the Treasury. and early in the
second session of the Forty fourth Congress,
which met on the first Monday In December,
1876. Mr.. Blaine took his seat in the senate
When the Legislature of Maine assembled i'll
January Mr.. Blaine was the unanimous choice
OF the Republicans and was elected to fill the
short and full term.
Mr.. Blaine took his seat in the Senate at the
time, in 1877. that the bill creating the Electoral
Commission to settle the disputed electoral
votes was pending. and which would decide the
last of the debate Mr.. Blaine made his first
speech in the Senate, III which he opposed the
bill, and against watch, with a small minority,
he voted. The Democrats in Congress tried 10
deprive President Hayes of his constitutional
powers. and to nullify the federal election laws
which they could not repeal The President re-
sisted and in tho controversy Mr.. Blaine took q
conspicuous part. vanquishing his opponents:
Another question of great Importance which
came up at this time was that OF silver coinage.
Mr.. Blaine was a logical blmetallist from the
first, but he voted against the coinage OF silver
dollars of less intrinsic value than the gold dol
lar. When the ver-cOinage bill which finally
became law was before the Senate. Mr:Blaine
age OF silver dollar OF equal intrinsic value to
the gold one. These amendments were rejected
When Mr. Blaine took this ground, New Eng
land and. indeed. the East generally, con-
demned him, but less than two years later the
large majority of the supporters OF sound cur-
rency were in accord with him, and the admins
traton had asked European governments to
join in an international conference for the pur-
pose OF fixing ratio for the coinage of both
metals. Mr.. Blaine strenuously opposed all the
efforts which f1at-money advocates ana the Dem
ocratic party generally were making TO repeal
the resumption act. Tho relations or the two
precious metals were never more clearly stated
than by Mr.. Blaine in that debate in the Senate,
February, 1873 follows:
"The Two metals have existed side by side in
harmonious companiOnshp a smoney ever since
Intelligent trade was known among men, 1t Is
TO Ephraim 400 shekels OF silver current money.
Since that time nations have risen and fallen,
races have disappeared, dialects and languages
have been forgotten, treasures have perished,
continents have been discovered, islands have
been sunk III the sea. and through ages and
through all these changes silver and gold have
reigned supreme as the representations OF value.
the medium of exchange. The dethronerAent
of each has been attempted in turn, and some
times the Getbronement OF both; but always III
vain."
Regarding fiat money. as early as 1867 Mr.
Blaine said in the House: ''lf adopt this
mischievOus suggestion OF "a new way to pay old
debts our tate in attempting such course may
be easily read IN the history of similar failures,
both In Europe and In our own cOuntry-prostra-
tiOn OF credit, financial disaster, undeserved dis
tress among all classes of the community, would
form the closing series in our career or gratul-
national liSlOnOr.'
Another question upon which MIR. Blaine took
the side which was unpopular in the East was
that OF Chinese immigration. When the bills 10
prohibit the further Immigration OF Chinese
came up III the Senate in 1878, Mr.. Blaine said
he had studied the subject in California and had
arrived very positive convictions respecting
the future or the two races on the Paclhc slope
When the naval appropriation bill was pending
about this time Mr.. Blaine made speech in
which he advocated liberal subsidies to encour-
age the establishment Of lines OF American
steamships to South America and liberal appro-
priatlons to build an edequate navy.
THE MAINE REBELLION.
While NIr. Blaine was Senator his own State
was passing through period of the craze known
at the time as "greenbackism." 1t swept over
other States, but gained strong foOthold In
Maine, through the school district advocacy OF
such earnest men as Solon Chase. The craze was
no bigger than mans hand in the election of
1877. but so rapidly did it spread that. in 1878,
in connection with the Democracy, it carried the
State controlling the lower branch OF the Legisla
ture. The cam paign in 1879 was the most ex-
citing ever known in the State OF Maine. The
issue was reduced to specie resumption or HAT
money. The Democracy took sides with the nat
money party and voted for its candidates.
The election was carried that year by the Re-
publicans. but the desperate fusiOnists entered
into a conspiracy 10 count them out. The peo-
pie could not believe that II could be possible
that the Governor and Council would undertake
to count out forty fifty members of the Legisla
ture in order TO continue their rule, but long
ftAy urara hFn i'm fn faaa ha
fact. Mr.. Blaine took the lead in the Repub
lican cause. For days Mr.. Blaine did not go out
of his house, which is nearest the State house,
and it became headquarters OF the friends OF a
fair count and honest returns. One plan after
another failed. but Nh. Blaine and his associates
were full of resources, and in the end redeemed
the State from those who had conspired 10 over
throw popular government. This was done
without ply ysical force being called-by superior
skill. Judgment and the better cause.
Soon after Mr.. Blaine became the leading can
didate for President against General Grant The
contest was active and exciting. The result as
Is well known. was the nomination OF General
Garfield by all OF the delegates opposed to the
thirdterm policy. While there was question
about the other members Of the Cabinet there
was none regarding the man who should be sec
retary OF state. Mr.. Blaine not only the first
ch ice OF the new President but of all his friends
In the brief twelvemOnth which he held the
Office he distinguished himself by the yigor and
earnestness with which he upheld American in
terests. He acted upon the assumption that the
American people are a great nation. one OF nls
first efforts was TO bring the nationalities, and
particularly the republics, or the American con-
tinent into closer elatiOns-to make fne Monroe
doctrine. first announced by John Quincy Adams
when Secretary OF State. something more than
glitttring generality. o that end he Issued In
vitaii0ns for congress OF the representatives or
| every independent government III the American
continent. The death of President GARFIELD ana
| the retirement of Mr.. Blaine wac followed Dy an
| IContinued a. IA Third Pnge.l