New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-28
THE CABINETS TRIBUTE.
EXPRESSIONS OF AFFECTION AND ESTEEM
FOR Mr. BLAINE.
THEY ALL AGREE IN THEIR ESTIMATE OF TIKI


eTATEsMAN's GENIUS AND POWER.
Washington. Jan. o7.-Cabinct associates OF Mr..
Blaine paid the following tribute OF affection ana
esteem TO his memory
Secretary State Foster said "Oihcr OF his fiehds
are more competent speak OF Mr.. Dlanes services
and genius in Congress. in politics and In literature
In diplomacy his chief characteristic was his exalted
Amcricanism lie was thorough believer In the
Monroe doctrine and the reciprocity policy which dis
tingulshed the close Of his public career was an out
growth Of his convictions respecting that doctrine.
His diplomatic cOrre> pOndcncc viii rank among the
best OF his political productions. His reputation
abroad will mainly rest upon his acts ms Secretary Of
State and it l. not exaggeraton to say tGt IN
the last ten years NJ least. Ire has been the best
known American In foreign lands"
Secretary OF the Treasury Foster said " I first met
Mr.. Blaine when he became a member OF the Mild
Congress and during his six years service Speaker
OF the House of Repre- cntaycS. At that time he was
in fun health and a magnificent specimen Dol"
physically and mentally OF mature manhood
AS speaker he the absolute dictator OF 'he
proceedings Of the House, enjoying more iuHy the
respect aud confidence ~ the members than perhaps
any other Spealpr with the exception ~ Henry ,ihN
whose career Mr.. Elane'- 80 much resembles HIS
career has been one Of leadership. and without doubt
he possessed the confidence respect and affection Of
the vast majority the American people more than
any man Of his time. ILL., fine Is world wide. His
personal popularity and his hold upon the popular
affection was not confined 10 his own party Ills
death will be sincerely mourn'd"
Attorney General Miller spoke follows 1T Is
customary speak Of one. who being elected 10
the Vice-Presidency. becomes President acct
dental President With reference 10 Mr.. Blaine II
may be truly said that hi, failure b. be President
was an accident. The desire 81 vain old gentle
man bv ALTERATION to max" startling sentence de-
fca,ed the worthy ambition II lifetime. aud In no
small degree changed the direction Of public affairs
I'm the Nation In the whole history ~ the coun
try there has scarcely been a striking figure
than Mr. Blaine and no personality I'm the country
has been more strongly impressed upon his contem
porirics.
AT the funeral Of Daniel Webster. Of his
neigibors who lived near Mar,hhcd. looking on the
face Of the dead statesman. said: Daniel Webster
the world will bc lonesome without you.' The same
may be- said with propriey of James q. blaine.
Mr. Blaine with the possible exception Of Henry
Clay wa, the most brilliant statesman and political
leader this country has produced. An excellent
fndge Of character he UNDERSTAND insiinctIvely the
strong and weak points Of those with whom he
came in contact. Full Of human sympathy. he re-
ceivcd all who approached him with Kindness
and aGabllIty that made them at once his friends.
lie was a most accurate judge OF public sentiment.
and he knew. few did. how TO present a
question Of public policy 50 as 10 appeal 10 me
sympathy and win the support OF It's people. lie
WAS "A born leader 81 men, and richly endowed by
nature with all those qualities that make a great
statesman.
In the United states a thorough legal training is
almost indispensable TO great and diversified public
career That without such trimming Mr.. Bllinc could
achieve success the various public positions he has
been called upon 10 I'll is an additional evidence OF
bis extraordinary natural powers
Said Secretary Noble: James g. Blaine died within
three DAYS OF the sixty third anniversary OF his birth.
and little less than thirty years from the time he
entered Congress. the first Monday OF December,
1863. During this long md most cvcntfnl period he
held the attention commanded the respect nf his
countrymen 10 n most extraordinary degrce-more l
think than any other political leader Lincoln
as,ic and alike they achieved great but failed
TO reach the summit OF thrir smbon-the Presidency.
Blaine was highly intellectual and refined lie had
great mental discipline and vigor with physical
strength and the courage Of his convictions His
learning and experience gave him Immense resources
OF precedent and Illustration, and no man was ever
more ready his opportunity or take advantage
Of his opponent In debate The facility and variety
of his attack and defence unsurpassed lie was
DISTINGUISHED as Congressman Senator, Cabinet Min
ister and political leader displaying great wisdom In
counsel and he formulated the principles and Issues
OF party with unerrlng accuracy. lie had cpomzcd
a great part Of his public in his work. Twenty
Years OF Congress- and added to and pcrpctuated his
fame BY the literary value OF this narrative. have
heard General Sherman. whose judgment In such
matters was acknowledged say that Baine's book was
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