Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-02

His father, Ephraiu G. Blaine, was man
OF rugged force OF character, and from him
Blaine undoubtedly inherited the great
moral courage and political audacity which
have been characteristic of his political ca
reer. From his mother be inherited that
wonderful intuitive capacity which has en-
abled him in moments of great crises to act
as though by inspiration. From her he
also received that highly sensitivea and emo.
tional character which has been conspicu-
Gus in his political life.
Blaine Emigrates Eastward.
OF course Mr.. Blaine would have devel-
oped wherever he located and in whatever
calling he selected as life career but it
was pure chance which made him the man
from Maine He met while teacher in
Kentucky Miss Harriet Stanwood, who was
also a teacher. They were mutually at
tracted, and just after he had passed his
majority they were married. She was a
Maine girl, and she induced her young hus-
band to remove to her home and make it
his abiding place
Blaine while in Philadelphia had been at
tracted to journalism. lie has said that lie
discovered by pure chance that he had some
facility with the pen, especially in political
discussion but it could not have been pure
chance 1t must have been the impulse OF
the spirit that was in him. And acting
upon this impulse he became a part pro
prietor of The Journal, u weekly papCl
published in Augusta, Me. The profits We're
not great, and Mr.. Blaine was if not com.
PEELED at least willing to accept emplot-
ment as associate cdito- Of the Portland
Advertiser The editor of that paper had de-
tected Blaine's ability as q political writer
and offered him Zoo year, a large salary
for that time and place. Blaine WAS not
slow in discovering his strength and his
value and at the end of year lac asked for
an increase Of salary TO 81 900 aud for "A con
tract covering period OF years.
The proprietor, however felt that he
could not afford to pay this money, and
blaine returned to Augusta, determined to
associate politics with his editorial work
Iercyeaed extraordinary political capacity
at once, was elected 81 member of the le,sis-
laturs aud subsequently speaker, became
chairman of the committee OF his party and
within three years was acknowledged pre-
eminent among the politicians Of his state.
Exactly the same qualities which brought
him those marvellous tributes of respect and
admiration which were afterWard his lot
won for him great victories in Il state and
community where politics prevail, where
there has been IL good deal of contention,
md where personal rivalry and to some eN-
tent jealousy have played their parts as
dangerously rs in some other states.
Blaine's Farsightedness.
Even thus carly Mr.. Blaine perceived that
politician-and lie had uuquest ionably de
termincd to mane politics his life business
needed perhaps above other men 10 be
freq from money embarrassments. lie
therefore began with great energy bust
hess career which WAS brief He procured
some contracts from the war department
for furnishing supplies to the soldiers, and
while he was aiding the governor Of Maine
to the oXt5nt Dt his ability in recruiting.
and equipping soldiers he Was also engaged
in IA perfectly honorable business OF supply
ing the government wi h raiment foF the
army. He did not accumulate much, but
Ae got enough so that nc had u home OF bi-