The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-02-03


In these canvasses as n politician Mr..
Blaine was not less great than when upon
the floor of congress He frequently made
a sleeping car his home. They would hear
of him one day in Portland and the next in
the lumber regions lie received dispatches
and reports in this car. He gave orders
like Il general on n field of battle. He
brought himself into personal touch with
all Of the politicians and as many of the
citizens as possible, and some of the anec-
dotes which are told of the way in which
he met sudden emergencies suggest his
wonderful intellectual resources and the
rapidity of his mental operation.
Blaine in the Senate.
His political intuitions were illustrated
in another way at this time. He unques.
tionably suggested the arrangement by
which Senator Morrill,, of his state, was
transferred from the senate chamber to
General Grants cabinet and Blaine was
appointed to Morrills seat and afterward
elected. He felt that his day of usefulness
in the house was over He had made his
record, and he believed that in the compar-
ative quiet of the senate chamber he would
find some rest, and would also be able to
carry on the politics which had the presi
Dental nomination of 1880 in view. His
friends always felt that his life in the SEN
ate was irksome. He adapted himself 90
the traditions Of that somewhat lethargic
body but Mt the cost Of some personal dis
cipline. OF course his personality was felt
there, but as a senator he added but little
if any to his repute.
While he did not enter upon the canvass
for the presidential nomination of 1850 in
that dashing and inspiring way which char
acterized him previous TO 1876, yet he had
q the nomination in view and knew that he
was the choice of n large part of the politi-
cal leaders and felt that he was of the masses
of his party. He advised, but he did not
dictate, and he let his political friends do
the work of combination TO great extent
He would unquestionably have been nomi
mated had he not been compelled to face the
enormous popularity of General Grant,
which was increased by his trip around the
world, and was made use of with great skill
by the politicians. But though Blaine could
not beat General Grant in the convention
himself, he could name the man who could
beat him, and thus General Garfield became
the candidate.
Garfield could make no other choice than
Blaine for secretary of state, but what
Blaine's career as secretary and Garfield's
as president would have been of course is u
matter of surmise. The impression has al
ways been that Blaine's personality would
have dominated tho administration. He
was, however, pledged to Garfield to sup
port him for denomination.
Blaine in Emergency.
Mr. Blaine was with General Garfield at
the time he was assassinated, and from the
nervous shock he then received he never
fully recovered. He had never been the
man physically after the sunstroke of 1876
that he was before. But this fearful eXpe-
rence seemed to shatter his nerves more
than that. His hair which had been iron
gray, grew white, as did his beard, and his
complexion became of that waXy hue which
led many to believe that he had organic
disease.
He was, however, capable of audacity
and courage, and it was be who proposed
to the members of the cabinet during Gar
fields illness that the cabinet should an
pounce to the country that the president
was suffering from such disability as the
constitution contemplated when it de-
clared that the vice president should in
such cases exercise the duties of the Office.
Mr.. Blaine felt that there ought to be no
question about the soundness of this view,
and it was his opinion that if General Gar
field recovered he would resume the Office.
He was overruled, however, by the cabinet
as a matter of public eXpediency, although
it was admitted that in case of war or great
emergency it might be necessary to take
such step. The incident. however, is char
acteristic of the man.
Blaine in Retirement.
During the winter following the assas-
sination of Garfield those who went tothe
congressional library used frequently to
see a man of quiet manner porting over
old volumes, searching the bookshelyes,
wandering about like literary recluse.
and when they recognized him they were
amazed that he who had won so great fame
and was the idol of so many Americans
should be content to conceal himself in
misty alcoves and among musty books.
Mr. Blaine, however, was permitting the
activity of his mind to take another direc-
ton. He had retired from Arthur's cab:
met, but could net be idle, and he decided,
therefore, to take up the literary pen and
describe political history as he had been
familiar with it. He rejoiced in the work.
II was the first leisure of the library and
the study which he had permitted himself
since school days.
When men knew that Blaine was writ
ing this history they said, Now be will pay
off grudges, and now he will give us his
| opinion of men and events in his character.