The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-06
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, JULY o.
NEW LIFE OF MR.. BLAINE.

The life of James G.. Blaine ny ADisdh
nadge better known as Gail Hamilton.
which has been recently published VIII
undoubtcdly be read with great interest,
M. only because II is the work OF
rather remarkable woman and Keen OBJ
server of orr political affairs. but also
because II will give people clearer In
sight into the thoughts and actions OF
one who had come to be regarded as
among the ablest, most brilliant and
thoroughly American of our public men.
Miss Dodge was peculiarly fitted for
the work she undertook. having Tor
wears been an intimate friend OF Mr..
Blaine and a member OF his family both
IN Name and Washington City. She ad-
mifs that II has been more or less a
labor OF love with her. and 1t Is to be
expected. knowing her relations with the
subject, that the book should he. In full
measure. laudatory and replete with ex-
r-cssions of admiration for the man and
his remarkable attachments. Neverthe-
less. her praise is not fnisome. What
ever she says good Of him she sincerely
believes IA warranted and thinks should
be echoed by every one who will study
the man and become as thoroughly ac-
ouainted with his motives as she was.
Great as Mr.. Blaine has been acknowl-
edged as a statesman and politician. and
interesting as are the facts OF his posi-
ton upon the leading questions with
which mis- name is identified. the picture
OF his personal life. shown as IL never
has been before. will prove The great
feature OF the book and only add TO the
esteem and respect with which he was
regarded for so long time by so many
OF his fellow-countrymen. 1t is due 10
the Intimate relationship OF a friend of
the family that the reader is treated to a
delightful glance into Mr.. Blaine's home
life, and for the same reason letters and
manuscripts have been at the disposition
OF the writer which have furnished a
means OF estimating the character OF the
man such as has never before been Of
fered TO the public.
great. many new lights ara thrown
upon important events with which Mr..
new facts are brought out relating to
times when he was misunderstood and
unfairly judged. Motives which were
often questioned are explained. and rea-
sons are furnished. through letters and
bits OF conversation. for many OF the at
followed. The fun and complete CORE
spondence relating TO Mr. Blaine's refusal
to be a candidate In ISIS and The after
correspondence between him and Harri-
son Is for the first time published, and
shows hts honesty and sincerity at that
time. which so many pretended TO doubt.
The blographer reviews critically Mr..
Blaine's work as congressman. senator
and cabinet minister. and gives a splen-
didiy comprehensive Characterization Of
him as a statesman and a thinker. She
holds that he was an intense believer in
the nation. and that what the country
could be. founded on the good will 81
every citizen. where every citizen was
free TO work out his best and enjoy his
rest-that Il should be. lie never forgot
that the American government Is a pop
uiar government: that legislation TO hs
effective must carry the popular good
viii. Yet he would secure good will only
by appeal 20 reason. 10 which he never
appealed In vain.
A sound currency he deemed as vital "a
the body polite as the circulation O.
blood 20 the human system. and early
fas - 40 a..
two metals with emo standard. ito the
end that business should Re conducte
en- safe. secure basis, that labor should
meet with It's fun reward. thar every
man should know what he IS dealing in
and how much he Is worth. and the en-
tire country rejoice in an abundant circu-
ia,ion ~ both gold and paper, in which
paper will ee as sooi as sold and goia no
better than paper"
Vie believed that the country Is cent?
mental. ana should therefore be seIf-Sus-
tanning; that we are In a family Of na-
lions. but thar our nation Is = family.
The principle Of protection was 70 him IN
wrouGht with are very tsea ot a nation.
bat IL was 20 BE applied with watehful
wisdom. 20 Ne modified IA detaR by the
demands % the o>sa sion ana % Re COM
piemented by sae principle Of reciprocity
between nations. equally 20 0e modified
by the current 81 events and correspond
ingly rcsaraful 81 national rights.
srhe book Is rieh IN new matter that
~t!i De Sc historical value. Apart from