Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-02-02


His death win be sincerely incurred.
Attorney General Nilier-.sIt is customary
to speak OF one who. being elected to the vice.
presidency, becomes president, rs an accf-
dental president. With reference to Mr..
Blaine, it may be truly said that his failure ia
vain old gentleman, by ALTERATION. to make =
striking sentences defeated the worthy amhi-
ton OF lifetime, and in no small degree
changed the direction Of public affairs In the
nation In the whole history Of tho nation
there has scarcely been moro striking figure
tnan MI Blaine. and no personality in the
country Is moro strongly impressed upon his
contemporaries.
Mr.. Blaine, with the exception of Henry
Clay. was the most brilliant statesman and
political leader this country has over produced.
An excellent Judge Of character, he understood
instincfively the strong and weak points OF
those with whom h1came in contact. Full oe
human sympathy. he received all who ap-
preached him with . kindness and anabflity
that made them at once his friends He was
= most accurate judge Of public sentiment and
he knew. what few men did, how to present
question Of public policy SO rs to appeal to the
sympathy and win the support OF the people
He was born leader OF men and richly en-
lowed by nature with all those qualities that
make great statesman.
in the United States thorough legal train
ing Is almost indispensable to q great and d.
training Mr. Blaine could achieve SUCCESS In
the public positions he has been called upon to
ill, Is an example Of his extraordinary pow
ers. I"
James g. Blaine died within three days Of
the sixty third anniversary OF his birth and
little less than thirty wears from the time h,
entered congress, December. 1853 During this
long and eventful period he held the attention
and commanded the respect OF his countrymen
to a most extraordinary degree-more. think,
than any other political leader save Lincoln or
Clay. Like Clay. his followers wers loving and
enthusiastic. and alike they achieved great
skill. but failed to reach the limit of their am
bition-the presidency.
Blaine was highly intellectual and refined.
He hal great mental discipline and vigor. with
physical strength and the courag, OF his con-
victions. His learning and experience gave
him immense resources OF precedent and illus.
tration and no man was ever more ready to
see his opportunity or take advantage Of his
opponent in debate. The facility and variety
OF his attack and defense was unsurpassed.
He was distinguished rs congressman
as cabinet minister and as political
leader. displaying great wisdom in coun-
sci and formulating the principles and issues
of his party with great accuracy. He has
epitomzsd a great part Of his career In his
work Twenty Years In Congress-. " and added
to this perpatuated his fame by the literary
value OF his narrative. have heard Gen.
Sherman, whose Judgment in such matters was
acknowledged, say that Blaine's book was q
great work and that he con sidered its lucid
expressions and comprehensive and accurate
statements gave it rank with Macaulay's his
tory. 1t Is one OF our most valuable books.
Blaine was an American. thoroughly and In
variably-he loved our country and its institu-,
tons. His death will b. greatly n,ntei, and
the whole nation will do his N mory honor.
His critics will not be in this country"
Secretary Ekins: Mr. Blaine was won
derfulIy gifted man. He was one OF the great
est statesmen and political leaders the country
has produced. He had, more than any other
political leader of the country, the staunchest
of friends. His control over men, is power to
draw them to him and command their unseIf1sh
support, was beyond that of any other party
leader in the history OF the country. His loss
will be widely felt. but his life will be contin
uing inspiration to his party. Mr.. Blaine.
though thoroughly educated, never pa
raded his learning. He was versatile, full
OF resources and more widely in
formed than any man or statesman OF
his time. In a certain sense he was modest,
seldom speaking Of himself, his position or
commanding influence. He was broad, liberal
and just; always generous to an opponent;
tender, gentle and affectionate towards his
friends. He sought the presidency in 1884; but
after that seemingly abandoned all hope of
ever reaching that high place. OF late years
he was not only The central figure in American
politics. but at all special gatherings and wher-
ever he went. In and out of Office he attracted
more friends and excited more enthusiasm
than any other citizen of the republic. Wher-
ever he went people always eagerly turned to
look at him or stopped to see him as he passed
by.
His claims to greatness will rest upon his
literary work and his craftsmanship. Either
would place him in the front rank of the CREST
est men of the republic. His Twenty Years
in Congress" viii stand as enduring monu-
me- f nd al maj a frniv "a
strain put upon him and thu effort made when
writing his great work think had much to do
in breaking down his health. The production
Of such work in so short time: 50 just and
discriminating; so fair to contemporaries and
to all; so thoroughly authentic and reliable.
stands in the history Of literature unparalleled.
Ills kindness and enthusiasm. that SO
greatly attracted everyone, were often mani
tested in a special degree to Penlsylvanians.
among whom he was born. He liked to talk of
people in Philadelphia who lived when he was
teacher and editor there. shall not soon for
get the last hour I spent with him, when hs
talked freely about his feelings and his plans.
about week before he went upstairs for the last
time. Pennsylvania may well bs proud OF her
brilliant son, cleverer than Henry Clay and as
eloquent as Daniel Webster"
Secretary Rusk said: II first met Mr. Blaine
in 1868. then being bank comptroller In
Wisconsin, to which state he came to make
tariff speeches He was then one OF the most
formidable speakers. The acquaintance then
formed with him has continued uninterrupt-
eddy since. being welded by our closer political
relations during the past in the forty second.
forty third and forty fourth congresses in
which wa were members Of the house. he be-
ing speaker. Oar relations were most cord al
and friendly in character.
''For some time past have noted with deep
regret that physically he was not as vigorous
as in former years. His death. while not I'M
expected, will be great shock to the people of
the whole nation irrespective OF their political
sentiments"
As has been stated, Mr.. Blaine was conscious
of his poor health. prominent republican.
who called on him about year ago. in speak
ing OF this, said: II went to Mr.. Blaine the
latter part OF last January. and asked HIM il
he was going to Re candidate Cor the presi-
dency. Ee replied No. sir; cannot enter
tain it for one moment. 1t would kilt me sure,
and know it; and I do not believe have
didate il hs knew the state of my health He
then added: I am going to write a letter on
the sufj sct-'
AFTER Mr.. Blaine hal written his letter. an
that he would not bs can1fdats for
the republican nomination. he was waited
upon by his friends and urged to reconsider his
action. It was represented to afr. Blaine that
the campaign would bs so easy for him as to in
volve no physical or mental exhaustion. and
that the result would he his triumphant cleo
tlon VIII an ar OF oeSpondency the SICK man
replied that he could not live through a heated
political campaign. or that il he should the
of the presidential office
would surely terminats his life within
six months after he took his seat.
HE said he intended-and this statement Is
significant In view OF sub seQuent evaats-to re-
sign his Office secretary OF state In the early
summer, retire to his Mains homo aud spend
his remaining days in quiet terery work.
Long argument failed to sake his determine