The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-02-02

IrlenuS always Ielb tndI DIS AlIe III Une sen
ate was irksome. He adapted himself tc
the traditions of that somewhat letharviC
body, Dut at the cost OF some personal dis
cipline OF course his personality was felt
there, but as a senator he added but little
IL any to his repute.
While he did not enter upon tho canvass
for the presidential nomination of 1880 in
that dashing and inspiring way which char,
acterized him previous to 1876, yet he had
the nomination in view and knew that he
was the choice of 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 Garfeld's
as president would have been of course is a
matter of surmise. The impression has al
ways been that Blaine's personality would
have dominated the administration. He
was, however, pledged to Garfield to sup.
port him for denomination.
Blaine I'm Emergency.
Mr.. Blaine was with General Garfield ut
the time he was assassinated, and from the
nervous shock he then received he ssever
fully recovered. He had never been the
man physically after the sunstroke of 1876
that he was before But this fearful expe-
rience seemed to shntter 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 he who proposed
to the members of the cabinet during Gar
fields illness that the cabinet should an-
nounce 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 q matter of public expediency, although
1t was admitted that in case of war or great
emergency it might be necessary to take
such step. The incident, however, is char
ncteristic Of the man.
Blaine in Retirement.
During the winter following the assas-
sination of Garfield those who went to the
congressional library used frequently to
see man of quiet manner poring over
old volumes, searching the bookshelves,
wandering about like n 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.
tion. He had retired from Arthur's cab
met, but could not 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.
1t 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 he will pay
off grudges, and now he will give us his
opinion of men and events in his character
Istic manner" In about two years the first
volume was issued, and it caused amaze
ment. Blaine the warrior was revealed as
Blaine the true historian. He told his story
in simple literary style, with great lucidity
and with such fairness as could only have
been expected of historian of future
generation. He wrote of his personal enc
mics as justly and as kindly as of his
friends, and he made contribution to po-
litical history which is invaluable. The
sale of the work was enormous, and its
profits made Mr.. Blaine n very wealthy
man. He said himself that it was only
after the receipts of the sale of this book
that he realized the luxury of possessing
money.
The pathos of the story of General Grant
writing his memoirs upon his deathbed is
the most sublime of general history. But
it has seemed to many that there is some.
thing ofpathos in the quiet resignation with
which Mr. Blaine returned to the writing
Of the second volume of his history after his
defeat for the presidency in 1854. He had
lost the prize when change of GOO votes
could have given it to him. The alliterative
blunder of Burchard had defeated him in
his moment of victory, and if ever politi.
clan went through an experience which was
to test the strength Mr.. Blaine did in those
winter days of 1854 and 1885.
He uttered one word Of protest and al.
most of despair, and then he took up his
pen again, walking for an hour or two each
day over the crusted snow Of the Augusta
streets that he might get exercise, aud
when friends went there to SEQ him they
found him Blaine the man-resigned, pa.
tient, cheerful, but with symptoms now
and then of the fire of genius which burned
within him. When his book was com.
pleted he took his family to Europe and
spent year, and it was while there that,
acting in accordance with tho monitions OF
bis physician, he wrote the Florence letter
bidding his friends that they must not look
90 him as n presidential candidate, for he
could not accept the nomination if it came.
Reluctantly and only after q second warn.
tng from him did his friends heed him.
Had he remained passive while abroad he
would have been nominated in 1888.
Secretary Again.
With something of the serenity of the
youth Of old age Mr.. Blaine entered for his
second term upon the duties of secretary OF
state. His mental genius asserted itself in
that Office again, and while his physical
characteristics and the ardor of his youth
had been subjected to change the power OF
his mind was illustrated. He conducted
most brilliant diplomatic correspondence,
and he formulated the most important com.
mercial and financial policy which the gov.
ernment had undertaken since the war,
with the single exception Of the resumption
| Of specie payments. He turned the atten.
ton Of the politicians from questions bred
of the war to those of the future and gave
promise of commercial prosperity between