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

His father, Ephraim 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 he 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 sensitive and emo.
tional character which has been conspicu-
Gus in his political life.
Blaine Emigrates Eastward.
OF course Mr. Blaine would have devol-
oped wherever he located and in whatever
calling he selected as o life career, but II
was pure chance which made him tho man
from Maine He met whilo a teacher in
kentucky Miss Harriet Stanwood, who was
also q 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 1t
his abiding place.
Blaine while in Philadelphia had been at
tracted to journalism. He has said that he
discovered by pure chance that ho 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, a weekly paper
published in Augusta, Me. The profits were
not great, and Mr.. Blaine was if not com.
PEELED at least willing to accept employ
ment rs associate editor of the Portland
Advertiser. The editor Of that paper had de-
tected Blaine's ability as political writer
~. /, q , 4, l.,
for that time and place. Blaine was not
slow in discovering his strength and his
value, and at the end of year he asked foI
IN increase of salary to 81, 800 and for 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.
Hereyealed extraordinary political capacity
at once, was elected member of the legis.
lature and 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 a state and
community where politics prevail, where
there has been good deal Of contention,
and where personal rivalry and to some ex-
tent jealousy have played their parts as
dangerously as in some other states.
Blaine's Farsightedness.
Even thus early Mr.. Blaine perceived that
Rpolitician-and he had unquestionably de
termined TO make politics his life business
needed perhaps above other men 20 be
free from money embarrassments. He
therefore began with great energy bust
ness career which was brief. He procured
some contracts from the war department
for furnishing supplies 10 the soldiers, and
while be was aiding the governor Of Maine
20 the extent OF hisIabiiity In recruiting
fhd equlppinc soldiers he was also engaged
in perfectly hoDorable business OF supply
ing the governnent with raiment for the
army. He did not accumulate much, but
he not enough so that he had home Of his
own In Augusta and few thousands 20 his
credit In the bank. He was for time fas-
'cinated with business pursuits, and IL was
aBerious question for some months whether
he should not abandon politics and devote
himself TO business.
Those who knew Blaine In later years de
elared that had be entered the field Of bust
ness activity ho had the peculiar mental
qualities which would have enabled him 10
stand with the great organizing and con
stFuctiye commercial geniuses OF his gener
etiop lie never cared for money for itself
Hshid not have the acquisitiye esense. Bat
ho liked pow Jr, and ho realized Mt that early
dag what the power OF money II.
why no Went 60 Congress,
An emergency arose IA the congress dis.
ttgt Ia which he lived. A candidate wa
70 be put 10 nomination, The tqlnptatioE
sas offered 10 hiinl ha thonaht a TIA mat