The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-02-01

of larger growth. He was for a while
teacher in a military school in Kentucky.
There he met Harriet Stanwood, young
woman from Maine, teacher in neigh Or-
ing school for girls, and a few months later
they were married. After several years he
returned to Pennsylvania, read law, but
never sought admission to the bar and
after a short period as teacher in Phladel-
phia, he yielded to his wife's persuasion,
and, in 1853, settled at Augusta, Maine,
which was thenceforward their home. He
became editor and part owner of the HenHe-
bee Journal, and speedily stamped upon the
affairs of the state tue impress of his genius
Tor politics. Ii was at the time of the rising
conflict between freedom and slavery, a
conflict into which he entered with all the
ardor OF his nature, and in which his brill
liant abilities had ample scope for develop.
ment He was a rising political power in
the state, and was a leading spirit in organ
izing the republican party of Maine. He
was delegate TO the republican national
convention. As editor of the Portland Id
UertiSer his abilities had wider field. He re-
signed his post on that paper on his elrc.
ton 10 the state legislature in 1858. He
serve1 four yes rs in that body, the last two
as speaker of the house. Here he gained
distinction, not only for his parliamentary
skill, but for his forensic power in the de-
bates that grew out Of the questions of that
critical period. In the year that Mr..
became chairman of the republican state
committee, position which he continued
TO hold uninterruptedly for twenty years
and which he skilfully employed in shaping
and directing every political campaign of
his party in Maine
Tie beginning of Mr.. Blaine's career thus
briefly sketched, is much less familiar than
the story Of his life from the time when, in
1862, he was elected TO congress from the
Keunbec district. That event launched him
upon the broad ocean of national fame.
When, in December, 1868. the Thirty. eighth
congress assembled a number of men des-
tined TO achieve great political fame and sue
cess met for the first time on the floor Of the
house of representatives. Most conspcu
Ous among these were Allison of iowa,
Window of Minnesota Pendleton OF Osio,
Randall of Pennsylvania, Colfax of Indi-
ana Garfield of Ohio and Blaine of Maine.
Among the old members were Thaddeus
Stevens and Roscoe Conkling. All these
names have become historic.
Mr.. b aine closely studied the rules of par
liamentary law, and measured the strength
of the men around him. He examined the
ground carefully, and, when he took the
field in debate or parliamentary warfare,
IL was observed that new and most for
midable aspirant for leadership had arisen.
Even the &" Great CommOner," grim Thad
Stevens, was forced to bow his grizzly head
and see his bill for the military govern
Lhtul VI tut SlditS ldltly III ICDtlllOu 81
amended at the instance of the young mem
her from Maine as to permit the states in
due time to re.establsh republican form
OF government. Blaine came TO the fore
front in the fierce forensic and parliament
AIRY battles in the house, and his pre'emi-
neDce in his own party was attested by
three elections to the speakership. In that
office he won the fame and prestige that
from 1876 made him dominating factor in
the republican party, and a conspicuous
and irrepressible figure in every national
convention that has assembled since that
date. His administration of the Office was
supremacy brilliant. His quickness OF per-
ceptiOn, decision of manner, thorough
know ledge OF parliamentary law and usages,
and impartial aud judicial mind, with his
clear voice and impressive manner, made
him truly great presiding officer. During
Mr. Blaine's service OF six years as speaker
he was never absent day from his post.
No member OF the house better wthstood
the strain of long aud vexatious sessions
than did Mr.. Blaine. His endurance was
not merely the gift of nature. 1t was the
result of temperate living and proper re-
gard for the laws of health. In 1874, dem
ocratic "tidal wave" gave the democrats a
majority in the house; but the Majority, in
| the hands of Mr., Blaine as the leader OF the
minority, was like clay in the hands of the
potter. His experience as speaker, his
| splendid equipment at every point, made
| him dashing and aggressive leader of
whom in military affairs Phil Sheridan was
an exact counterpart.
! In 1876, Mr.. Blaine entered the lists at
| Cincinnati To contest for the honor upon
which, from the time of his election an
speaker of the national house of representa-
| tfves, his heart had unquestiOnably been