The National tribune., 1893-02-02

Presidential Hopes-An honorable Isec-
ord-Personal Magnetism-A Powerful Pre-
Inier-Sad Closing Scenes of a Remarkable
Career.
The long illness of ex-Secrctary of State
James Gillespie Blaine terminated in his death
at his Washington residence ut IL o'clock on
Friday morning. Jan. 81. Ever since the Sun
dav in December last when lie had sinking
smell. or heart failure, which brought him close
TO the valley of the shadow of death, there has
not been moment when his family or physl-
clans have entertained the least hope of his ul-
innate recovery TIE utmost the physicians
in attendance expected or hoped to do was to
postpone the end as long as possible, and make
him rs comfortable during his last days as the
resources of medical science would admit.
Throughout his last night on earth Mr..
Blaiue's condition seemed to be about the same
as it has been for several weeks past, but about
$50 o'clock on Friday morning his breathing
became more labored and difficult, and it soon
became apparent to the anxious watchers at the
bedside that the great statesman's end was last
approaching. Messengers were at once dis
patched for the attending physicians, Drs.
Johnston and Hyatt, who both at once repaired
TO the residence of the sick man.. They found,
however that their presence and ministrations
man was dying and nothing known to medical
science could deter the end.
THE END COMES PEACEFULLY.
Mrs Blaine, the children, and Miss Dodge
(Gail Hamilton, Mrs. Blaines sister, were at
the bedside. The dying statesman recognized
every body about him, but was too weak to
speak He seemed TO be suffering little or no
pain and when addressed by his wife he appar-
entity appeared to understand all she said. but
was utterly unable TO answer her. When Mrs.
Blaine spoke of his dead SONS, Walker and
Emmons the dying man raised his right hand
slightly. lie apparently knew that his end
was approaching. but could not make the effort
TO say farewell to his loved ones. His breath
became weaker and the throbbing of his pulse
slower as the minutes licked away, until life
gradually went out altogether as peacefully as
if be were falling asleep.
PROGRESS OF THE DISEASE.
Mr. Blane's serious illness began shortly after
the death of his son Emmons, which occurred
Immediately after the National Republican Con-
yention at Minneapolis last june. The shock
OF this favorite sons death told on him greatly,
and from that day 10 this he has never been
well man. although he has not been confined all
the time to the house. He was too unwell to
take part in the last political campaign, al
though he wrote letter or two in behalf of the
principles of the Republican party. He came
10 New York City during the heat of the CAM
pagn and gave the Republican party managers
The benefit of his advice, after which lie went
on to Washington to spend the Winter, intend
ing TO busy himself with literary pursuits. He
was seen on the streets of the National Capital
quite frequently after his arrival here. but he
soon ceased to go out. and early in December he
had to take TO his bed, from which he has never
risen. save for an hour or two at time.
Mr.. Blaine Frustrated himself first, however
he. II 1.
ran for the Presidency against Mr.. Cleveland.
During that campaign he travelled thousands of
mics. max ing speeches day and night for two
months, sometimes speaking ejgh hit and 10 times
aday from the end of car. After his de-
feat he was quite Ill for time, but he partially
RECLAIMED his health. and when he became Presi-
dent Harrison's Secretary of State he was an
parently as well as he ever was. But from last
November, according TO DIR. Johnston, his physi-
clan, his symptoms suddenly assumed an aggra-
waited form, and from this time On, although
there were periods of apparent improvement
he continued TO grow worse from week to week.
The symptoms were at first, more directly con-
nectcd with tie kidneys, and from examina-
tons made OF the urine at various times. il was
concGsively shown that there was progressive
inters'itial change going on and that he had q
form Of Brights disease. in December, signs
Of lung complication appeared, and much of
the distress which Mr.. Blaine suffered was as
soeiated with this lung trouble, and his death
was certainly hastened by it. Toward the end
OF December his heart began to show signs of
unusual weakness, from cardiac degeneration
and cllataton, and on Dec. Is he had an alarm
ing attack OF heart failure. He rallied from
this however, but other attacks of the same
nature required several times. From the mid
die Of January these attacks ceased. and the
hearts action was more uniformly good, but
there was. however, daily loss of flesh and
strength, tue patient finally becoming go weak
that he could Lot move or speak.
PREsIDESr's PROCLAMATION.
Immediately after Mr. Blaines death the
President was notified aud accompanied by
Esj. Halford aud Lieut.. Parker, he called at
the House, remaining only few minutes He
then returned TO the White House, and sum-
Doned the members of his Cabinet to meet
him At once. After short consultation be-
tween tie President and bis advisors the fol.
lowing proclamation was issued:
EXECUTIVE MANSION
WASHINGTON, Jan. q, 1893
IL Is my painful duty To ANNOUNCE to the ueopie
olihe United States tie death of James Gillespie
Blaine, which occurred In this city to-day ut III
o'clock For inll generation lhis eminent citizen
ba~ occupied a conspicuous and influential pos iton
~ The Nation. His FIRST public service was in the
Legislature OF bis Stale Aherwsrd for IL years
he a member of the National House Of R-pre
seisiires, and was three times chosen it's Spea ker
IN 1916 lie wac elected 10 the Senate He resigned
bis seat III that body ia 1851 TO accept the position
President
Garfield Afer ile tragic death of his chief he re-
signed from The Cabinet. and devoting himself to
literary work, gave 10 the public in his Twenty
Year, III Congress most valuable aud enduring
contribution 10 onr political literature In March,
1855. lie again became Secretary OF State and con-
tnued Ia exercise this office until June 1892 His
devotion TO the public interests his Al .ed ability
rDd exalted patriotism have won for him the graft
tnde aud affection of his countrymen, and the ad-
niraiion of lie world. In the varied pursuits of
legislation. diplomacy and literature his genius
has added new lustre 10 American citizenship.
As suitable expression of the National appre-
cation OF lis great public services and of the gen.
efhl sorrow caused by his death. direct that on
Tie day OF his funeral all Tie Depar OF the Ex-
eeutive Branch OF the Government at Washington
be closed, and that on all public buildings through
ent The United States the National flag shall be dis
played at half-staG. and that for :; period of 80
days The Department Of State be draped in niourn-
Ing.
By the President. BEsJANI,s HARRISON
JOHN w. Foster, Secretary OF State
ANNOUNCED IN THE SENATE
The news Of Mr.. Blaine's death travelled fast
and when the Senate met on Friday there was
gloom cast over everything by the sad an
Donncement Chaplain Butler of the Senate
appropriately noted the sad occurrence in his
opening prayer. and Immediately after the
reading of the Journal of Thursdays proceed.
ings, Senator Hale. one of the closest friends OF
the deceased Statesman, rose and announced
inafs laat rax-tt