The Washington times., 1895-04-28
cross of pale gray marble, four feet high,
inscribed thus:

Died at Washington
February z, 1880,
This cross is erected by her sorrowing hus-
band.
This lot was selected by Mr.. Blaine upon
the death of his son Walker, and when, a
fortnight later, his daughter died, all ad-
diuonal plot was secured.
At the time of the first purchase Mr..
Blaine was impressed by the sight of the
blasted hickory tree, and personally re-
qllested Supt. j. 7. Motter, in charge of
the cemetery, 10 let it remain, saying that
on his own death he desired to be buried
beneath that tree. HE pointed out the
old tree" MT. Motter said yesterday, re-
lating the incident, land asked me to see to
il that il was not destroyed, as he wanted
il to stand for his only monument" This
expressed wish was conscientiously re-
spected by his family and carried out by the
managers of the cemetery, ard now the
tree, whether it lives or dies, is destined
TO remain to deEote the last resting place
of James G. Blaine.
Mr.. Blaine's idea was that nothing could
so fifty mark his own grave as this tree.
The fancy was altogether his, and TO his
mind the blasted shaft, with it, withered
top, typified perfectly his own life.
In this the philosopher and student Of
political history may find pathetic and
melancholy material for speculation and
reflection. Was it his personal ambition
only that was blasted and blighted like
the tree? Or, in addition, did the statesman
see in it a symbol of his physical eXpe-
rience as Well, and also an emblem of his
hearts affections? Possibly all three.
1t is well known that he actually did re-
ceive a Sunstroke or paralytic shock in
Washington just before the eve of the
Republican national convention of 1876,
which felied him prone to the earth as
suddenly and completely, for the time
being, as Il bolt of lightning would have
done.
And from that fatal day, too, his bril-
liant fortunes began TO decline, and with
them hls darling hope OF becoming Presi-
dent Three times was he doomed TO defeat
for the nomination TO the Presidency-in
1876, 1880, and 1892, and once, in
1884, to defeat in the election, under
eXasperating circumstances, after win
ming the nomination.
Then came his falling health, and close
upon that hurried host Of family sorrows
and bereaYeIneutS that broke his heart.
The death of his favorite son, Walker, was
a stunning blow to him. likewise the
death OF his daughtrr, Mrs. Coppinger.
His sudden resignation from the Harrison
Cabinet aud tie presentation OF his name
TO tie Minneapolis convention have since
been regarded rs the uuconsdered acts OF
sick man, loose from his moOrings Then
the quick Illness and death uf his son, En-
mons Blaine, from the effects of oyerex-
| ertion in his behalf at that convention,
| capped the climax of his woes. After that,
except for his support of the Harrison ticket
| in a public speech at Ophir Farm, in 0cto-
Der following, his retirement as broken
| invalid was continuous.
A cruel, hwarting fate seemed to pursue
| him with reInerseless enmity. He was
indeed one OF those whom unmeTciful dis
aster followed fast and followed faster"
until in his hCpelessness ard misery, all
| unuttered, his existence appeared to him
| like that of the tree in Oak Hill, blasted
and bIighted by a bolt from the sky.