Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-15
NEW BOOK ON BLAINE
GAIL HAMlLToN'S BIOGRAPHY OF THE
STATESMAN.

The long promised " Biography OF james
q. Blaine" Ohe Henry Bill Publishing
company authorized by the family and
written by Gall Hamilton, has just been
issued. Tho story Of the sccretary's life
was brought down TO the eve Of the presi
Dental campaign Of 1892 by Miss Dodge,
when sho was Frustrated by the illness
which for some time threatened to end her
life The biography begins with tho story
of the Blaines and Gilbraiths from whom
James q. Blaine was descended, and fol
lows his early life In Pennsylvania, his
years of teaching and his early career as
All editor in Augusta. Then his start I'm
politics Is traced.
He was delegate to the convention OF
1860 that nominated Lincoln and said OF
the nomination:
II think tho nomination the very best
that could have been made In every way
and L havo no more doub6 of the election
of the ticket than / have that Maine will
be carried by the Republicans.
OF Lincoln no said
"While Il very awkward looking man,
you realize ut once that 1t Is tho awkward
ness Of genius rather than any proof of
the lack of il"
One Of the most interesting chapters In
the volume Is the account Of Mr.. Blaine's
differences with Roscoe Conkling, and
Miss Dodge's explanations Of the silent
antagonism which had existed between the
two men before tho debate over the Fry
incident, which Miss Dodge says did not
affect Mr.. Blaine's political course or po
litical fortunes.
Coming down to 1881, the relations OF
the two men after the election of Garfield
are detailed:
"Mr. Conkling had allowed himself to
be partially conciliated before the election
and had aided in the electoral struggle,
but became an increasingly prominent OBJ
ject for Cancellation after the election.
General Garfield and Mr. Blaine were
equally desirous Of harmony In the interest
OF effectiveness, but neither was willing TO
sacrifice one faction to another. They be-
lieved that justice and patience would in
the end destroy faction and beget peace.
The question was indeed considered by Mr..
Garfield, Mr. Blaine and some others,
whether reconciliation might not be
brought about by asking Mr.. Conkling
into the cabinet. General Garfield thought
that If he should accept and there should
be peace all would be we'll. II IL were to
be war, fighting at short range might be
better than from behind the entrench.
ments of an executive session. Yet he
could never quite get his own consent to
the suggestion, though there was a certain
audacity in 1t that made 1t interesting.
Mr.. Blaine on reflection felt that it would
be unwise and impracticable, partly for
reasons personal to Mr.. Conkling, partly be-
cause 1t would produce coalition cabinet
with proverbial failure waiting upon 1t
and would alienate the 80, 900 Garfield Re-
publicans Of New York at the outset
Mr.. Blaine wrote to Mr.. Garfield as fol-
lows:
"It would be personally unpleasant and
politically disastrous to have him in cabi-
net association. No cabinet could get
along with him, nor could the president.
He would insult everybody having bust
ness with his department whom he did not
happen to like, and he really happens to
dislike about 90 in every 100 of his ac-
quaintances. Conkling Is bound to go
him be decent and honorable, and you will
never deal otherwise with him. You can
always trust man not to saw of the
limb of tree when he Is on the other
end
Turning back to an earlier period, we
find Mr. Blaine pictured as by no means
servile follower Of the Grant administra-
tion, though he took an active part in the
campaign for the presidents reelection.
Some were inclined to think he had q
hand in Summers deposition, but wit
ness of the time wrote:
"Mr Blaine is guiltless of Summers dep
osition. He told the president frankly
that the whole power Of his administration
could not do it. If he was not right, he
came pretty near 1t, for 1t Is still a question
whether the administration will not break
down under it. Yet the president keeps on
perfectly good terms with Mr. Blaine,
Though the latter Is outspoken and frank
No part of Miss Dodge's volume reveals
Mr.. Blaine In so charming q light as do
the family letters, which are introduced In
large number. They show rare affection
and confidence existing between father and
children. The busy man always had time
30 stop to tell his boys all about politics
and business to plan excursions for them,
10 watch their education and keep himself
in full sympathy with their thoughts.
But, though affectionate and breezy In
manner, Mr. Blaine was not q man with.
put dignity. On that point we read:
"No man could take real liberty with
him. Perhaps no man ever tried It, Abb
olutely free from small rosentments, when
10 came to the parting OF the ways no was
nexorable. No occasion could be availed OF
o force him into rccognizinga man whom
o determined no longer to know. One
Fho had lost in his esteem by n course
Fhich he was attempting with partial sue
ess to explain was pleased mt finding him
elf not rcpulsed, and said, Then we part
nth the same friendly feeling rs of oldf'
Certainly not was tho unexpected reply"
From discussion Of Mr.. Blainc's early
Fork In congress, Miss Dodge proceeds to
his which is perhaps her most compre-
ensive characterization of the man as a
mixer and a statesman
Into this work rccS Snstructionl Mr..
laine entered with his i>iole soul. The
randcur of this new nation was ever be-
re his eyes. What the country could be,
undcd on the good will of every citizen,
here every citizen was free to work out
best and enjoy his rcst-that IL should
Ho poyar foruot TINT tho A mpripan