The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-01-27

His father, Ephraim g. Blaine, was man
Of rugged force of character, and from him
Rlsine undoubtedly Inherited the great
moral courage and political audacity which
have been characteristic of his political ca
rssr. From his mother he inherited that
wonderful intuitive capacity which has en-
ahled him in moments of great crises to act
a. though by inspiration. From her he
also received that highly sensitivennd emo
fional character which has been conspcu-
oss in his political life.
q Blaine EInigrates Eastward.
OF course Mr.. Blaine would have devel-
oped wherever he located and in whatever
oLillng he selected as life career, but it
rss pure chance which made him the man
kom Maine. He met whilp teacher in
gantucky Miss Harriet Stauwood, who was
Also a teacher They were mutually at
stHctsd, and just after he had passed hi.
majority they were married. SAo was a
Maine girl, and she induced her young hus,
band to remove to her home and make it
bis abiding place
Blaine while in Philadelphia lad been at.
tracted TO journalism. He has said that he
discovered by pure chance that he had some
fssility with tho pen, especially In political
discussion, but it could not have been pure
chance II must have been the impulse OF
the spirit that was in him And acting
upon this impulse he became part pro.
psistor Of The Journal, weekly paper
Published In Augusta, Me The profits were
brit great, and Mr. Blaine was II not com
eelled at least willing TO accept employ
ment as associate oditor Of tho Portland
Advertiser. The editor of that paper had de-
seSted Blstns's ability as political writer
AID offered him 81 zoo year, large salary
ffsy Nh hat titna nd MI
How in discovering his strength and his
value, and at the end of year he asked for
al increase OF salary TO 81 800 and for Il con
tract covering period of years.
dho proprietor, however, felt that he
eenld not afford to pay this money, and
Biains returned to Augusta, determined to
associate politics with his editorial work.
Rsrevealed extraordinary political capacity
~ once, was elected "a member of the legis
iHture and subsequently speaker, became
ehairman Of the committee of his party and
within three years was acknowledged pre-
stniucnt among the politicians of his state
Exactly the same qualities which brought
bim those marvellous tributes OF respect and
admiration which were afterwurd his lot
won for him great victories In a state and
community where politics prevail, where
there has been n good deal Of contention,
tent Jealousy have played their parts as
dangerously as in some other states.
Biaine's Fnrsishtednsss.
Even thus early Mr. Blaine perceived that
epol!ticiau-and he had unquestioDably de-
tsrmined to make politics his life business
needed perhaps above other men to be
Nes from money eplharrassments. Ra
therefore began with great energy a bust
neas career which was brief He procured
come contracts from the war department.
for furnishing supplies to the soldiers, and
while he was aiding the governor OF Maine
y the extent of his ability In recruiting
It'd equipping soldiers he was also Engaged
IN perfectly honorable business Of supply
ing the government with raiment fof the
Army He did not accumulate much, but
he got enough SO thnt he had home of his
ewp In Augusta and few thousands 30 his
credit in the bnnk. He was for time faz-
cinated with business pursuits, and Ii was
serious question for some months whether
be should not abandon politics and devote
himself to business
Those who knew Blaine In later years do
elared that had he entered the ilsld Of bust
nsss activity he had the peculiar mental
qualities which would have enabled him to
stand with the great organizing and con.
ttructtvs commercial geniuses of his gener
stion. He never cared for money for itself
He did pot have the acquisitiYe sense But
BE liked power, and he realized at that early
Say what the power of money is.
Why he Wont to Congress.
An emergency arose in the congress dis
tfict In which he lived. A candidate was
TO be put in nomination. Tho temptation
was offered to him; he Thought OF the mat
ter over night, and on the next morning
mad come to u decision which deterinined |
mis- career. He was nominated on the first
ton
l.sSaan after MIR Blaine wa. sworn I'm n |
~, : cll.ed on lin at his boarding house |
~ i n>htnSinn ariin late IL. the evening.