The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-03
% overcome


SENATOR FRYE
% overcome ,. determination.
They gave him no rest, no peace. The most
powerful argument used with him was that
he owed il as his duty 10 the Republican
party, that the only hope OF victory in the
campaign was In having him MS the standard
bearer; that with him success was absolutely
certain, without him defeat equally sure.
His name was presented 10 the convention.
whether with his assent or not is not for me
20 say; do not know. | do know that two
months before that convention, on Sunday
afternoon, wlien Mr.. Blaine was sick. spent
a pleasant aud agreeable two hours at his
bedside. They were hours which / now
recall with delight. His mind had its
full vigor; bis eye was un- dimmed;
his talk delightful. / told him that
he was TO be listener for awhile and allow
me 10 he the talker: that had come as an en-
voy from the people; that / was profoundly
satisfied OF two things: First, that he could be
nominated by acclamation in the approach
ing convention; second. that he could be
elected. told him that then he could with
draw his letter of February 9Th honorably;
that a month later he could not; that I
thought his friends who had stood by him
: through all these years were entitled to take
advantage of this splendid opportunity and
realize their hopes. He replied to me that he
had given the subject probably more consid-
GRAFTON than any or all of his friends; that he
knew himself and his physical condition bet
ter than they; that any participation on his
part in a political campaign would kill I'm
before the contest was over; that If, as / sug-
gested, he should remove himself from its ex-
elements. he could not live and perform the
duties Of the president of the United States
three months.
He said thet his course was marked out and
that nothing TN earth could lead him to devi-
ate from ii QUO tot or tittle that when the
weather became warm enough for a residence
at Bar Har5or. hc should resign his Office as
secretary OF state, go to that summer home and
never more have anything 10 do with political
office: thafts would devote the rest of his life
- MS famiiy ana 10 himself, and try TO expe-
rence life 60 the end. so happily portrayed
In Cicero's "De ScDectute." That such was
his deliberate purpose have not a shadow Of
doubt IL is possible, indeed probable-because
In that convention were some devoted friends
OF Mr. Blaine, who had been so for years. who
would not otherwise have been there advocat-
Ing his nomination--that overcome by the
persistence of those seeking to secure the use
of hisname in the eoavention by appeals TO his
duty to his rsrty and his country a reluc-
tant consent or assent may have been OBJ
tanned. do however. know this, that he
never expected to receive the nomination and
that he did no. himsclf personally desire it.
MIR. Blaine was first elected 70 the national
house of representatives in 1862 reelected six
times; In 1875 entered the senate; served there
until 1881, when he resigned TO become Pres
ident Garfield's secretary of state. His career
In these two bodies was as remarkable as 1t
was brilliant. Young and comparatively I'M
known.i in turbulent times, he entered the
house from this arena, the most exacting, the
most certain to disclose true manhood, to de-
tect sharns, to puncture pretences and to re-
ward real merit in tie world. No crucible
was ever more severe more searching, or more
certain to reveal the pure metal. The CELEBRITY
of its verdicts and the promptness with which
II enforced its judgments were well calculated
10 dismay the stoutcst heart. Mr.. Blaine did
not shrink from the test. Scarcely had he
served single term before he was measur-
ing swords with the most accomplished and
experienced statesmen Of the day. Compelled,
by sense of duty TO the country, to differ
with such giants as Thaddeus Stevens and
Roscoe Conkling, he never hesitated for a
moment to advocate his opinions, to enforce
his views in speech terse. vigorous and con-
vincing that in every such encounter he came
Oft the victor.
In the running debates of the house he was
peerless, with his wonderful memory, his
familiarity with history. his aptness of Illus
tration. his quickncss in repartee, he was an
invincible disputant. For six years he was
speaker, and the only presiding officer who APP
preached him in knowledge of parliamentary
law. in impartiality, in courteous bearing, in
prompt decision, was Mr. Clay. From his day
to Mr.. Blaine's the labors, vexations, and re-
quirements Of this great office had in
creased immensely. The house had more
than twice as many members, the rules
had become more Intricate, their enc
forcement much more difiicult; so the
ability OF Mr.. Clay had never been exposed to
any such test rs was Mr.. Blaine's. never saw
Mr.. Blaine confused moment on'any Ques-
NJ did \ xxft nj
successful appeal from his rulings. His entire
fairness and impartiality were never ques-
toned.
He seldom INDUCED in extended speeches,
seeming to prefer the give and take of dispu-
tation, In which he was preeminent. In 1894
he made great speech, which attracted the
attention OF the whole country. His subject
was THE Ability of the Country to Sustain
the Expense OF the War and Pay the Debt 1t
Involved" II was a theme Just then Of over
whelming interest, and was handled In such q
mastery way that the entire north drew q
long breath Of relief. was inspired with new
courage and buoyed with brighter hopes. He
closed this splendid speech with these words
These are the great elements of material
progress. and they comprehend the entire
circle Of human enterprise-agriculture CON-
merce. manufactures. mining They assure 10
Us an increase In property and population that
will surpass the most sanguine deductions Of
our census tables. framed as those tables are
upon the ratios and relations OF our progress
in the past. They give into our hands, under
the blessings Of Almighty God. the power 10
command our fate as a nation. They hold oat
TO us the grandest future reserved for any
people; and with this promise they teach US
the lesson Of patience. and render confidence
and fortitude duty. With such amplitude
and affiuance Of resources, and with such q
vast stake at issue. we should be unworthy Of
our lineage and our inheritance II we for one
moment distrusted Our ability 70 msintain
ts.ssi,:; ssr.;,::.i ssit.d ljr s'S!l ys 81 195S