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

WASHINGTON, D. g., Jan. 27,-oue
more name has been added to the
list OF tho nations dead, Once more
the thoughts Of the people are turned
toward tho man who, as tho "Plumed
Knight" was such an object Of devo-
ton, For years he stood in the very
first rank Of tho great men Of tho land,
and few men have ever welded auch q
potent influence as james u. Blaine.
Ho was the one whom his party de.
lighted 10 honor and whose word was
law with his followers. With the ex-
ception Of tho presidential chair, he
achieved every form OF success possible
to statesman in FREQ country. He
began at the bottom Of the ladder Of
fame. lie rose to the top and with his
death thore passes away one OF tho ioro-
most figures in the history of the re-
public Few men have had SO many ar.
dent admirers and devoted friends. He
made many bitter enomies as we'll.
This was but a natural result OF the po-
sition he filled in life. But now all ami
mostly ID buried and friends and politi.
cal foes alike unite in expressions OF re.
gret at tho passing away OF tho "Man
from Maine"
While tho death OF the statesman
created a profound feeling throughout
tho city, this feeling was intensified in
the state department, whore there is
hardly an official or employe who had
not personal acquaintance with the
dead man. Although tho event was
daily expected and every ono was in
measure prepared for the reception OF
tho sud news, it was a shock to every
one.
Those who were long in the state de.
partmOnt and knew Mr.. Blaine when he
was at his best, recognized with sorrow
during his last service there was re-
markable change in his physical condi.
ton,
HIS FAILING HEALTH.
Mr.. Blaine was conscious Of his poor
state Of health. A prominent Republi-
eau who called on him about a year
ago, in speaking OF this said: ~ went
to MIR. Blaine the latter part Of last
January, and asked him II he was going
to be a candidate for the presidency.
He replied; No sir; / cannot entertain
the thought for one moment. 1t would
kill me slire and know it, and do not
believe that l have a friend on earth
who would ask me TO be a candidate II
he knew the state Of my health Mr.
Blaine added: 4 am going TO write q
letter on the subject"
After Mr.. Blaine had written his let
ter announcing that he would not be n
candidate for tho Republican nomina-
tion, he was waited upon by his friends
and urged TO reconsider his action. 1t
was represented to Mr.. Blaine, who was
then III, that the campaign would bo
made SO easy for him rs to Involve no
physical or montal exhaustion, and
that the result would be his triumphant
election. With an air OF despondency
the sick man replied that he was salts
ilOd that he could not live through o
heated political campaign, or that, II he
should, the harrassments Of presi.
dental office would surely terminate
his lito within six months after he took
his seat He intended, and this state
ment IL significant in view OF subse.
quOnt events, to resign his office rs soc.
Rotary Of state in the early summer, re.
tire to his Maine home and spend his
remaining days in quiet literary work.
ApA1NIass DEATH.
Mr.. Blaino's death at last came
painlCssly and quietly, but not without
prOmonitlon. Tho attending physi.
clans have said repeatedly In those
later days since hope OF recovery was
abandoned, that when tho end caino II
would probably occur with at least two
or three hours warning. Tho approach
o. death waa made evident to tho family
iulIy two hours before It's actual occur.
renee. 1t was betweon s and 0 o'clock
this morning when tho first dangerous
symptoms were observed. The family
mad taken thoir breakfast and tho
trained nurse, Mrs, Price, had Rono
doown for her breakfast also, leaving
tho patient temporarily alone. James
y. BlAlnO, IT, had on his hat
ana coat, preparatory to starting off for
his days duties In tho Office OF tho
pennsylvania Railroad Company, whore
no lS employed, when his mother epg-
goslod 70 him that II would bo bpttor to
wait III tho nurse came up. li0 prompt.
y acquiOscod. Mr. Blhlno had passed
restless night aud had been pronounced
not 40 wollp even by his cautious ply.
siciatta hut beyond q petooptibto 10.
crease oi tho languorwhl6h had marked
nll condition during the past iow days,
snere was no very alatmlng change 10
20 noted, When tho nurao returned
from hOr breakfast, however, her OK.
pvlIloncod eyes At onOo saw that tho
shu was drawing near Both phyal.
ulal9 were ltnmodlnthlV tOlbDhOnOd for