Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-02
PRESS AND PEOPLE.
Blaine the Greatest Statesman of Mod
ern Times Say All

ern Times Say All
Almost every public man had some
tribute to pay to the memory of Mr..
Blaine. The following were tele-
graphed in response to requests:
Grover Cleveland: The first time l
ever saw Mr.. Blame l had a pleasant
interview with him at the White House
shortly after my Inauguration as Pres
ident. While | have seen but very
little of him since that time. yet in a
personal way, in common with all
other American citizens, l have not
failed to admire his traits, the breadth
of his information, and the alertness
of his intellect. A figure like his which
has been SO prominently before the
people and which they have so long
seen in different lights cannot fail to
be long remembered by those of the
present generation and will certainly
occupy a large place in the history of
the country. In common with all his
! countrymen / share the regret occa-
, stoned by the death of man such as
called an American statesman, ire
spective of differences in political be-
hefs or in opinions touching pu bile
questions
Henry Watterson-All classes and
all paroles will receive the news Of the
death of James G. Blaine with sincere
regret. He had become character in
history, and while it may be too early
to designate the niche he will occupy
i in the gallery of fame we may speak
OF him as we might not ordinarily
speak of one so recently upon the
scene of action. As a party leader he
stood easily first in American politics.
He had the power of drawing to HIM
self the great masses of the people;
he was singularly attractive and won
all hearts that came within his pres
ence; he was great in the art of MAX
ing friends, great in the memory of
names and faces; great in the mind
/ filed with knowledge, mind power
flu and brilliant; great as a party
leader in council and field; great in
Cabinet, great in Congress, where he
was a III an; great in diplomacy;
great as a philosopher; elevated and
inspired as a writer Mr.. Blaine was
an intense party man. He never gave
or asked quarter where politics was
concerned. Privately he was gener-
Gus to his adversary and free from pref
udices. Henry Clay, who was consid-
cred the greatest statesmen of
his time, had more dignity of bear
ing and was moe polish ed in debate.
Stephen A. Douglas, whom Illinois de-
lights to honor, was great in his own
way, but in the history of the biogra-
pher Blaine will live with them. CLAY
lived to ripe and honored age, but
Blaine. like Douglas, died while vet in
the prime of his manhood. His has
been the pace that kills He worked
hard during all his public life and
worried over the intangible mysteries
of the future. His was brain work
which Slapped his strength and
sGuandered his various resources.
The most that l can say for him is
that he was great American. and no
higher tribute can be paid to any man.
From Boston.
Globe: To all sections of the coun try
and to men Of the most: diverse political
opinion the tidings of the death of
J4.ues Gil espie Blaine will bring keen
regret. had the Republi>an standard
bearer in Novemb Der been ce, the
party would have failed indeed to gain
success. but II all proba bility it would
have escaped the overwhelming defeat
that caEle under the Harrison leader
ship. There would have been an ele-
nent of enthusiasm in the campaign
that no insidious raking over of The
old charges of 1884 could have counter
balanced. MIR. Blaine would have
failed becaus of the load of MeKin-
leyism, and not because he did not
command in 1872 as truly as in 1884
warm personal support
Herald: " thin the last few years
he has been the only man in the Re
publican pary who has made any