Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-09

Mr.. Simpson was willing to dIs,o..
Of the paper. and in the issue of Noverr
Der III. 1854. It was announced that IN.
kennebec Journal establishment hsa
been sold to Messrs. Joseph Baks.
and J. q. Blaine. who would there.
after conduct its editorial and busInss.
affairs" Mr.. Simpson removed n ps,'
fast. where he was. for long and .ra
cessful period, the publisher and edi,c.
OF the Belfast Journal. In his farews,,
address to the patrons Of the Kenna-
bee Journal he spoke thus Of the n.,.,
owners: Mr.. Baker is well known :.
the readers Of the Journal. To III
belongs the credit for whatever ~ -
dustry, tact and vigor It's columns hsv.
exhibited during the last six month.
during which time they have been nm
der his control. Mr.. Blaine comes IN
US comparatively a stranger. II ia h,,,
just to say that he Is a gentleman -
decided talent. Of liberal education sv-
tensive travel, and acquainted VIII
the public men and measures NJ ~.
country"
Mr.. Baker soon found that the exac-
tons Of his profession as a Iead,ns
lawyer made it impracticable for bi,,
to retain an active part in the paner
and his ownership continued over a
period of less than two months. mai
ing the whole period of his connectIor
with the Journal about eight month.
After a career at the Maine bar tb.,
makes his name as a lawyer and a
man rank among the first, Mr.. Baker
died, full of hOnOrs. November 90 1ss,
The place of Mr.. Baker on the Jour-
nal as part owner and fellow edito.
with Mr.. Blaine was taken by John 7.
Stevens, another distinguished mama
that adds lustre to the history of our
paper. Mr.. Stevens had never met M
Blaine until "a hours before the t.me
when they became joint owners and
editors OF the paper. He had been 4
bniversalist minister, but his interest
in the burning political issues Of the
time had become greater than that IN
theological questions. An unsigned ar
ticle on-the political situation, which he
mad written, was seen by Mr. Blaine
and copied into the Journal with
strong commentator. On his part Mr..
Stevens had noted and admired with
what signal clearness and cogency.
with what superior insight and intel
lectual force the young Pennsylvania
was handling the prevailing topics OF
public discussion in the editorial COL
umns of the Journal. Without the
knowledge of either a meeting was ar
ranged by mutual friends and, as stat
ed above, within day from that first
meeting they had become associate
editors and owners of the paper. A
stock company had been formed with
the shares held by the leading Republi-
cans of the State, but MessIs. Stevens
and Blaine had a controlling interest
This was early in January, 1855, and it
was the beginning of friendship be-
tween these two young men-Blaine
was IS and Stevens 35-that continued
to their mutual advantage without a
break for IS years.
Mr.. Stevens, born and schooled in old
kennebec, avowed on assuming editor
ship that his earliest political knowl-
edge was drawn from the columns
written by Luther Severance. whose
light still fingers on us like the rays o.
the sun on the mountains, ere il goeS
down." and spoke with reverence ant
joy through a medium made almost
classic by his labOrs." Mr.. Blaine
also often EXPIRE ssed his high ap-
probation of the labors of MIR.
Severance. Later, when accepting
his first nomination to Congress, he
declared that up to that time he count
ed it the chief honor of his life to
have followed Luther Severance in
he. af . h., L To, Il
which he founded and nuI tured and
to which he had given character ami
prominence throughout the State
The Kennebec journal had bel
founded as an outgrOwth of the dom
inant political sentiment in Maine, that
a little later became cryStaliiZed INTO
what was known as the Wing party.
1t was from the first an active and ever
loyal party paper, and the Wing party
from it's birth to it's death had a most
vigorous and tireless champion in the
Journal. In victory or defeat it never
wavered, and the note it gave forth
was never of uncertain sound. When
the time was ripe for the birth of
new party, which was to wage a holy
warfare for the rights of men and the
perpetuatiOn of the American Union.
the Journal girded itself for the battle
with characteristic energy and enthu'
siasm. And from that day to this it ha
loyalty followed the fortunes ana
fought in every fight of the Republican
patty. AS it's political editor, with MI.
Stevens, in the stirring political times
following 1 "a, Mr.. Blaine won his FIRST
fame and influence, and started on that
matchless public career that has maze
his name so grand a part of American
history. His first editorial was on the
principles and position of the new he-
publican party, and read today 1t rings
anew with eloquence and power that
seems truly prophetic.
Says Gail Hamilton, in writing OF the
editorial life of Mir. Blaine: THE choice
of Mr.. Blaine as editor was speedily
justified. His thorough acquaintance
with the political history of the couh-
try, his ready comprehension OF tne
issues pending, his familiarity with the
characteristics and personal history VI
prominent persons, surprised even ME-
friends. His reviews of measures anu
judgments of men were corresponding
ly just and incisive. EVERY
issue of the Journal was series VI
blows, boyish sometimes in their ~
rectness, but manfully aimed ana oe
livered, manfully muscular. swift ui,-
ri offootiva Evarv hlOw cOnSOll-