The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-28
The Dend statesman.

MQAty IRRA1 WV hSNAN RNsfN fNfN~NN
away the greatest popular leader this
country has produced. His splendid
physique should have served him well
beyond the allotted time Of man, but
disease, which lays hold upon the seem
ingly strong as well as the certainly
weak, has borne him away.
In spite Of the fullness OF life cover
ing a generation Of remarkable activity
in the public service, it is q life first
clouded, then cut short, in the very
prime OF its usefulness. He goes to his
grave twenty years the junior OF Glad
stone, still the foremost man in the old
worlds public life.
"A giant lids fallen, The world has
lost one OF itsgreat minds; his country
apatriot whose genius, learning, energy
and courage shed lustre on her history
and commanded for her new place
among the nations Of the earth.
The boyhood Of James G. Blaine gave
no promise Of the career which the man
was to achieve. The college lad was
studious, serious; that was all. He did
not come out near enough to the head
ofhia class toattract attention. After
few years spent in teaching and
strengthening his foundation, he en-
tered journalism. From now on his
rise was rapid. Helad matured quick
ly, and each new opportunity found
him ready to embrace it to the full
This ID tho real sign OF a great mind and
astrong character.
AT twenty-three no was already man
1 OF note IN Maine, though a newcomer
IN that steady.going commonwealth
At twenty-five he was a leader and q
power. Attwenty.nine he was a mem
Der OF the legislature and soon the
speaker Of Its house, At thirty-two he
was elected to Congress, and at thirty
nine younger than any OF his predeces'
Hors, was chosen to preside over body
containing some Of tho most brilliant
men OF the time who had been promi
nent before he was heard Of AT forty
six he was senator, at ftty-one secretary
Of state.
He never held an Office that he did
not fill to the full, in which he did moi
win new laurels. And so before he
was senator, while he was tho com
handing figure Of the house Of repre-
sentatiyes, he was the popular choice o
his party for President OF the United
States.
This is remarkable success, even in
thisland Of unbounded possibilities, 1t
istho more remarkable since Mr.. Blaine
passed through the war period without
taking up arms, and, during the greater
part Of his career, strove for public ia
yor along with soldier.statestnen who
had returned to civil life covered with
the glories OF the field.
II, instead OF serving his country in
the halls Of Congress, he had served it
at the cannon's mouth, as Hayes did, as
Garfield did, he might have received
the presidential nomination in 1876, Oh
again in 1880. He fell short OF thu
height Of his ambition, and in this he
had illustrious company.
This disappointment, great US 1t un
doubtedly was, never soured him. De-
feated for tho nomination in 1876, he
gave to tho nomination Of Genera
Hayes cordial and effective support
oagain in 1880 with General Garfield
tho head OF whose cabinet he became
Nominated and defeated In 1884, h,
was afterwards as earnest and as active
al though no shadow OF disappoint
ment had ever fallen across his path
In 1888 he refused the nomination be
cause ho did not wish it, The dream
was over.
In 1902 he declined again, thel
driited. He was no longer his owl
strong, reaolute sell. His sun had aot
Tic was in the twilight and night wa
closing down. sufmlSod then, It 10 al
plain enough now After that thor,
wore flashes Of tho old intellect, but'itI
steady radiant power was gone,
II islong since tho blttorost foe ha
ionied 10 Mr. Blaine tho qualities tina
mako the statesman, He had tn
breadth OF vision, tho keonnoss Of poi
ception, the intellectual resources 4
general, tho courage, the sagacity, th
ambition, necosaary TO statesmanshir
Ao was q close student Of tho resource
aud poSaibllltlogot his country II
perceived that Ia trade az in war thor
b ever asttuggle Tor national advantage
and no atroyo 10 put hlS country at III
front
hO was for his own country and hi
own countrymet; arat, and 90 he be
loved III and preaeled the doctrine q
protection to homo lnluattiol No ma
tI.ta kis,.a MAJ as,l.. a.aaa.lA faa ,.salaa