Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-11-28

An incident from the life OF that
great citizen that this city gave 10
the nation and the world, James q.
Blaine. was the foundation OF an
inspiring and eloquent address CIV
en- by Rev. James H Ecob. d. D.,
at the union vespers held at +. NJ
Thanksgiving day. in the All Souls
church. There was large congrega-
ton and the service was filed with
the spirit Of Thanksgiving and was
most impressive. the following pas
tors participating: Rev. Paul :
Phalen. Unitarian church: Rev. Z.
S. Philbrook. First Baptist church:
Rev. William R. Wood. D. D., Pen
ney Memorial church; Rev. A. Fran
els Walch. Cniversalist church: Rev.
". ]. Layton, Green street Metho-
dist church: Rev. Victor Q. Anderson,
ST. Marks church, and Rev. Mr..
Ecob. D. D.. South Parish Congre-
gational church.
Many of you remember about
what was said and written and
thought concerning what was known
AS Biaine's South American policy"
said DR.. Ecob. There were many mo
tives set forth by people. and GER
tain reports had it that some u
these motives of Mr. Blaine were
base. But DR.. Ecob stated that he
could tell his audience the true mo-
tive Of Mr. Blaine's South Ameri-
can policy
1, was after the service one Sun
day at the South Parish Congrega-
tional church OF which Rev. Mr.. Ecob
was pastor and Mr.. Blaine q regular
attendant. Mr. Blaine was always in
his pew at service and all of his
guests from the President down. Lot
NJ Merrill. another great citizen,
was q member of the church and al
ways in his place when Sunday
morning came.
On that particular Sunday morning
at the conclusion Of the service Mr.
Blaine motioned for Rev. Mr.. Ecob TO
come 10 his pew. There he said: To
morrow l am going to Washington.
Do you know what is being said of
my South American policy? All man
ner Of motives are attributed TO me.
most OK them unworthy. To YOU I can
say what l cannot say in public,
for in public il would be ln!srepre-
scented and nis-stated. But ! can
tell you the origin Of my South
American policy"
Mr.. Blaine had then told the pas
tor that 4 few Sundays previous he
had heard something in the Scrip
ture that suggested TO him the idea
Of peace. and the suggestion came
like a voice. He believed that God
speaks to his servants ard if ever
God spoke in the word. he did then
The voice said Peace" And there
seemed to blossom out OF the wall of
the pulpit a map Of South America
Then the voice said Peace in North
and South America means peace
in one half Of the world: and tina.
to bring that about would be the
greatest thing any man could do"
That was the origin Of my South
American policy" said Mr.. Blaine.
He told tine pastor that be began
then to brood on the subject. Rev.
Mr.. Ecob had said to Mr.. Blaine.
That is the greatest thing in your
career. I believe that prophecy has
been fulfilled.
Mr.. Blaine was secretary Of state
when the first pan American Con-
gress was held in America and it
fell to him to prepare. the room where
they met. That was the first time
the electric bells were in use. and
he was delighted with all. And he
was pleased in showing Rev. Mr..
Ecob. who was then in Washington.
about the room. That was the first
great thing that went toward the full
fllment Of Mr.. Blaine's dream, In
the Great Exposition in RuffaIo
years later was the dominant note
Of Mr.. Blaine's vision of peace in
this half Of the globe. Now his
name is linked with what must be
the fate Of these two COUNTRYSIDE
live together in peace.
The speaker. DR.. Ecob. pointed ont
that man cannot be great if he loves
war-that is the animal thing. NOT
the great and splendid thing. The