The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-02

doorkeepers had let in upon the floor twice
as many visitors as there were members,
the applause was repeafed; bat the applause
was repeated at win and no one left till
he chose to co.
HIS PERSONALITY.
His manner In the chair Of the House
was entirely without seif-consciousness, yet
utterly self-confident. He had thorough
control OF the situation. He was never per-
picked. or uncertain IL in some temporary
absence or in COMMITTEE OF the whole the
House fell into confusion and he was sum-
moned from the dinner table to straighten
the snarl. he appeared upon the scene ra-
diant. intent. erect masterful. and order
evolved itself from chaos. No better stage
can be imagined for the display of his per-
sonality. The vast hail. the strong men,
the great questions, the intense interest the
varying purposes, clashing. combining IN
he stood, an embodied intellect, regnant
spirit-vibrant, electric. compelling One
thought but his body was transfused with
thought, became the perfect medium OF his
will Eye and voice and figure were instinct
he illustrated it by the unconscious dignity
OF his bearing, by the force. the scope, the
ana aSs,Imine where he siin NOT rechenizs-
that all men were. like himself, loyal TO the
reign OF law and seeking always the way of
entangled the law and developed the right
and penetrated the consciousness of men.
Mr.. Holman is reported as saying that Mr..
Blaine by that personal quality which
gained for him the name of the magnetic
man, convinced his opponents OF the
correctness OF his decisions against their
own judgment. 1T is a contradiction of
terms, yet holds a germ Of truth. His win
ming manne-, his irresistible fascination
Vas me pronered ana pleased disguise I'M
der which many a man confessed TO spirit
ual Illumination"
And the peculiar quality of his parlia--
hundred words. This Was not the Old for a
NAL dignifed' oratorical style of debate
IL was animated conversation. But it was
very effective in the hands, on the lips, of
a man whose object was to make his point
and secure his ends, whose sympathies were
both national and individual who assimi-
lated knowledge as the blood assimlates
air, whose memory was a necessity Of his
being and therefore assured the accuracy
call, whose mental processes were so rapid
as to elude observation, outstrip communca-
ton and seem intuitional."
Bla1ne's sense or humor is well illustrated
by a retort from the days of his speaker
snip:
clustering around the Speaker arranging for
the order of the day.
Il wish could keep you down for one
minute, was the very audible soto voce
OF the Speaker.
His authority in Congress during that
BettVA ndc dlllUSl dDSOlulc. Ills lnDerl-
business" says Miss Dodge, was seen and
felt to be founded understanding,
vaded with good will, lightened with good
hum humor r.. and justified by the strength and
business of the country through the legis-
lative labyrinth, and by the frmness with
dence and regard of the House. Not his
own party alone, but the opposition placed
so much reliance on his knowledge of the
law and on the impartiality with which he
ura
taken except by his own devising, for his
own satisfaction. and no appeal against his
When the minority subsequently, became
the majority knotty questions were often
referred to him privately and Democrats
who on the floor had been the most recall
took the precaution of terrifying them
selves for imminent battle by having on
nan naad a parliamentary programme, solic-
probable course by the Republican ex-
Speaker. Both parties agreed with equal
unanimity in congratulations upon his TAX
ing the chair, in regrets at his leaving it,
and in thanks for the manner of his in
cumbency."
BLAINEs SUPPORTERS.
To the men who supported Mr.. Blaine
through every changing fortune for two
decades Miss Dodge pays a tribute that
he would not gainsay: Never was a nobler
brotherhood in American politics than the
splendid band of strong men, from every
State of the Union, who stood by him with
unchanging friendship. with unselfish de-
votion, from beginning to end-the begin
ming stretching along tract of twenty
years. the end always the same-one pre-
mature sad day. The political ambition
and purpose Of these men conferred in
making Mr.. Blaine President of the United
States, and each national convention was
to them but stage in his triumphal
ma rob Eaa hrnr rrhf ~ fhnr fho
stimulus of victory, because each struggle
left a wider circle under the charm of
personality which was not limited to per-
sOnal presence, but won the devoted at
tachment of thousands who had never seen
Mr. Blaine's face or heard his voice; be-
cause each contest made ever more con-
spicuous and more controlling the fitness
of their leader to lead, not only along the
honest and homely IL sometimes humdrum,
paths of administration, but into the wider
ways of national expansion and elevation"
OF his literary aDilitieS-vhich he had the
opportunity to foster in the years imme-
diately following 1ss2-Miss Dodge says:
and his personal expectations he uttered
no word OF lament or regret, but went for
ward TO the. next practicable thing. He
tried to think that money-naking would
crafty and satisfy him. He liked to exer-
else the foresight and devise the COM
binations which make great fortunes. but
he had not patience to watch the issue.
Business opportunities were pressed upon
him from coal mines and iron mines In
ado and Nevada, from lecture fields prom
Using more than gold or silver, from rail-
roads and from newspaper offices; but lit
erature, TO which he had often looked for
ward as the resource of his later and leis-
ure years. proved to be the only occupation
which could engage his permanent atten-
tion. Ever after tracing Caesars jour
neys and surveying his battlef1elds in Eu-
rope he had confessed historic doubts re-
garding the Caesarean record. Though
generally referred to in jest, he hoped one
day 10 set forth these doubts in earnest
The war of 1872 he considered of more i'm
portance than had generally been attrib-
uted to It, He thought that it's conse-
quences had never been measured or its
motive and end fully comprehended by the
American people; and he cherished it as
one of the studies of that care-free old
age which he promised himself-which, at
| least he liked to talk about"
1t is not practicable WITHIN the limits of
| this review to do more than indicate the
masterfuI qualities displayed by the writer
| in her analysis of Mr.. Blaine's achieve
| ments as a legislator and as Secretary of
State. These are matters of history and
| within the personal knowledge OF men liv-
| ing We are too near them to get the
| proper perspective.
But of his home life, his amiable disposi-
| ton, the gentleneSs of his nature and the
| courtesy of his manner: of his humor. his
pathos and his everyday and private had
| it's Miss Dodge has drawn a portrait never
| wanting in any element of fascination.
THE RnCKUErS