The National tribune., 1897-12-16

| A lutte later and the grand saloon OIL INT
| Seward house, with its tragedies and Its
| shadows, presented new scenes and feS
! tive seasons. The halls re-echoed mirth
| fulneSS and the walls sent back swee
sounds. General and Mrs. Belknap re
! peated the festivities of the old regime
| She was social queen Of rare endowment
| but the summons came-there was a new
/ made grave over which the Winter winds
moaned and other hearts were made desc
/ late. The shadows OF grief again fell ovel
| the old mansion. In the year that folOweC
| the old associations revived for a day, bu
with a Pickering light; and when the cur
J tain fell again upon the festive scenes o
| the old home, il was To cover the weak
neSseS OF human nature.
Ii has since been used as Governmental
! Headquarters for the Commissary Depart
ment. And lastly, the ample halls and
| grand saloon were decorated and adorned
with fresh frcscoS and historic devices foI
the leading genius OF the Republican party
| James q. Blaine.
| In 1862 Mr. Blaine took his seat in Con
! gress. More than a quarter of century
has passed, and who Is there among OuI
public men 10 day that could better tell oui
country's story
In 1862 Abraham Lincoln, William II
Seward Stephen A. Douglas, Charles Sum
ner, James A. Garfield, Chester 4. Arthur
John 4. Logan, Roscoe Conkling, Robert
+. Lee, Stoncwall Jackson, John b. Floyd
were among the living. All have Stree
passed before the judge OF all, and have
answered for their mortal deeds.
Mr.. Blaine saw the country pass from
slavery TO liberty; from a country bound in
chains 10 q Nation r)bed in glory. In the
changing Kaleidoscope he saw the National
Capital transformed from a miserable mock
cry OF city INTO magnificent metropolis.
Not only was Mr.. Blaine a witness To all
these changes, but his finger was on the
heart of the Nation, and he noted its every
pulsation. He saw the political, social and
intellectual revolution and watched its re
suits, and noted that JOY came 10 the nlul-
ttude and sorrow by mc&@S Of il tG none.
He saw candidates OF party preierment
come and go, like Clay, Webster, Seward
Calhoun and Douglas, ard If he himself
sometimes felt the sharp sting oI disap-
pointment, bee was in illuStri0tls company.
His personal magnetism, his dgnified vet
courteous bearing, his profound statesman
ship brought 10 him the admiration oi his
friends and the respect OF his political enc
mics.
This great man, whose fame needs no
expansion from my pen, will ever remain
at the top OF the list OF American states
men. His services 10 his country are re
corded in the annals oi our time, and will
prove an incentive 10 glorious endeavOr 10
thousands Of youth now living, as well as to
thousands yet unborn
me wondrouS personal magnetism Of
this distinguished man is "A theme upon
which many pens have been exerted only
to prove Their nsufticiency Nv own would
figure in this list were | 10 attcmDt to de
scribe the indescribabIe
i have feit the charm Of his manner i'm
personal interview, and can only sav that
nothing more dignifed, and vet more win
ming, have met. His commanding nerson
his intellectual features, his aprceahIe
voice, ms amazing facility Tor saying the
right thing at the right time were points
which leave all comparison with any states.
man now living far behind
His footStep was on the threshold OF the
Seward home; a fit occupant within those
walls, sacred with National memories M
location IN Washington was more attract
i've; opposite the waving green OF La Fay-
ettc Square; the home Of the Presidents on
the left. In the atmosphere Of homes of
near d century's growth, he took up the
pen OF history with hopes and honor. and
added another page 10 his cOuntry's gIorv
NOT century ago corner of La Fayette
Square was marked by the headstones of
dead Powtomacs. Ancient apple trees
spread their scraggy branches over truant
boys, VINO munched the toothsome fruit to
Their hearts content; now forest trees and
velvet lawns beckon you TO rest.
In the grateful shade, through the vista
OF green which casts lights and shadows
ON flowers and happy childhood YOU see
the manly form OF the Hero of New Orleans"
mounted on his mettled charger. While
sitting there with the blue sky and the ar
CAGE oil tender green over you in the
peaceiulnesS OF the moment, forget the
burden OF tragedy and tears that these
homes surrounding this Square represent
the light threads and the dark that have
been woven into the warp and wooi of the
cOuntTy's history.