Life of James G. Blaine, "the plumed knight," editor, representative, speaker, senator, cabinet minister, diplomat and true patriot; a graphic record of his whole illustrious career, from the cradle to the grave ...

Front matter

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Life of

Preface

Bancroft, writing of the American Revolution, declares that its history is in the letters of the great men who took part in it. More widely, it is also to be said that the history of any era in any State is in the records, of words and of works, of the great men who figured therein. The annals of olden times are largely catalogues of battles. But the story of ancient battle ignores the rank and file, and tells us of the individual combats of the leaders. Of parliamentary battles in later ages the same is true ; and the record of progress, in science and literature and morals and invention, and in all the arts of civilization, has each paragraph adorned and vitalized with the rubricated name of some great man or woman.

Thus also is it seen that the full history of any important individual involves the history of the time and State in which he lived. One could scarcely desire a better history of the Revolution than must be given in an adequate biography of Washington. A life of Luther is a comprehensive chronicle of the German Re-- formation. The story of Lincoln is the story of negro emancipation in America.

PREFACE.

In the present instance it is not intended to attempt a work of such a character. A complete history of any man cannot be written in his own age, A full, impartial and philosophic estimate of his worth, and of the extent and importance and effectiveness of his work in the w^orld, can only be made when he has passed into a more extended prospective than contemporary vision affords.

It is possible, however, in considerable measure, to separate the individual from his environment, and to tell the simple story of his personal doings. Especially well may this be done in the case of such a forceful and distinct personality at that of James G. Blaine. It will be to paint a panorama, in which the central figure stands forth conspicuously, outlined in bold relief, while his com.rades and all the landscape about them, are but faintly sketched.

James G. Blaine was for many years the most eminent man in American political life. In the National House ( ^f Representatives he made an enviable record as a painstaking committeeman, an eloquent orator, an un= surpassed debater, and a dignified, commanding and impartial Speaker. In the Senate he easily ranked in the forem.ost class. As Secretary of State he conducted the foreign affairs of the nation v/ith a broad and courageous and skillful statesmanship that has won the admiration of the world. As a party leader and Presidential candidate he enjoyed such loving, loyal and enthusiastic following as is scarcely to be paralleled in history.

PREFACE.

To trace the progress of such a career is a most grateful task to the historian, as it must be fruitful of pleasure and of profit to the reader. It is to furnish a text-bookof American patriotism, a picture-book of many of the most thrilling scenes of recent years, a storybook of narratives equally truthful and fascinating, equally instructive and entertaining. Such is the task that in these pages is essayed. However far it may fall short, in execution, of the ideal, it is at least undertaken with sincere devotion to the theme and with an earnest purpose to reveal the subject with entire truthfulness — with as much completeness as may be possible within the compass of the present volume.

Chapter 1. Ancestral Memories

The Scotch-Irish Settlers in Pennsylvania — The Blaines — A Friend of Washington — Important Services in the Revolution — Country Gentlemen of the Old School — Founding of the Economite Community — Ephraim L. Blaine and Maria Gillespie— Their Home on Indian Hill Farm, West Brownsville

Chapter II. Childhood And Student Life

The Influences of Heredity — A Characteristic Incident of Childhood — -First Studies at Home— At School at Lancaster, Ohio — Entering Washington College— The Roll of His Classmates— His Leadership in College Life— His Rank as a Student — Little Participation in Athletic Games —Incidents of Student Life— An Original Demonstration—The Programme of Commencement Day — The P/ophetic Subject of His Commencement Oration.

CHAPTER in.

THE TEACHER.

Plans for a Life of Teaching— His First Engagement in Kentucky — An Enture Change of Environment— Difficulties of His Po.sidon — Leader in a Free Fight — -His Courtship and Marriage — His Contact with Slavery and His Views Thereof — Development of a Strong Anti- Slavery Sentiment— His Return to the North — Studying Law and Teaching the Blind — His Fir.st Book — Removal to the Pine Tree State

Chapter IV. The Editor

Political Condition of the Country — The Slavery Quesdon Dominant — Mr. Blaine's Removal to Augusta and Editorship There — ^Samples of His

CONTENTS.

Vigorous Writing^ — His Share in the Organization of the Republican Party — A Delegate to Its First National Convention — His First Stump Speech — x\dvocacy of the Principles of the New Party — Removal to Portland— Three Years of Service in the Maine Legislature 63

Chapter V. Representative In Congress

Some of His Colleagues in His First Term — Relations with President Lincoln — Speeches on the Draft, the Enrolment, and Other Topics — Defence of the State of Maine — Opposition to the Greenback Craze— ' Three Terms in the Speakership — A Lively Controversy with General Biitler — The Salary Grab — Leader of the Minority — A Strong Declaration of Political Principles — Close of His Career as a Representative. . loi

Chapter VI. Fighting The Southern Leaders

The Debate on the Proposal to Restore Jefferson Davis to Full Citizenship — Action of the Forty -third and Forty- fourth Congresses — K Powerful Speech by Benjamin H. Hill, of Georgia — Mr. Blaine's Reply — The Incident that Gave Him the Title of " the Plumed Knight." .... 151

CHAPTER Vn.

DEALING WITH SLANDER.

A Carnival of Scandal Hunting—Newspaper Insinuations — Charges in Congress— Mr. Blaine's Effective Reply— Fresh Accusations — The Mulligan Letters — Political Objects of the Investigations — Mr. Blaine's Recovery of the Letters — His Production of Them in the House of Representatives — The Suppressed Despatch from Caldwell — A Dramatic Scene in the House — Mr. Blaine's Triumphant Acquittal at the Bar of Public Opinion 174

CHAPTER Vin.

THE SENATOR.

A Prominent Position Quickly Taken in the Upper Chamber — Opposition to the Electoral Commission and to the Southern Surrender Policy of President Hayes — Discussion of the Southern Elections Question — Opposition to the Bland Silver Bill — Restriction of Chinese Immigration — Defeating a Democratic Conspiracy in Maine — The Shipping Interests of the Nation 209

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

The Congressional Deadlock and Political Debate of May, 1879 — The Question of State Rights versus National Sovereignty at Issue — Addresses by Great Party Leaders — Senator Eaton's Presentation of the Democratic Side — Mr. Blaine's Reply — Full Text of His Masterly Oration 222

CHAPTER X.

Interest in the Political Contest of the Centennial Year — The Rival Republican Candidates — Mr. Blaine's Prostration — Presentation of His Name at the Cincinnati Convention — Colonel Ingersoll's Speech — " The Plumed Knight" — Nomination of Governor Hayes — The Convention of 1880 — ^The Third Term Question— Steadfastness of the Grant and Blaine Forces — A Long Deadlock — The Final Compromise on Garfield 258

CHAPTER XL

SECRETARY OF STATE.

Appointment to the Chief Portfolio in the Garfield Cabinet — Mr. Blaine's Letter of Acceptance — Salient Features of His Foreign Policy — Controversy with England over the Neutrality of the Panama Canal — - Death of Garfield and Accession of President Arthur — The Invitation to the American Republics to Hold a Peace Congress— Object of these Negotiations — Mr. Blaine's Retirement from Office — Abandonment of His Plans by His Successor — Mr. Blaine's Vindication of Plis. Policy. 283

CHAPTER Xn.

IN MEMORIAM. .

Hie Eulogy on Garfield — An Impressive Scene in the Hall of the House of Representatives at Washington — A Distinguished Audience in Attendance — Eminent Fitness of the Speaker to the Theme — Memories of Sixteen Years Before — An Eloquent Review of the Career of America's Second Martyr President — The Full Text of the Oration. . 316

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIIL

Mr, Blaine a Candidate for the Thiird Time — Meeting of the Convention — The First Skirmish—The Declaration of Principles — The Various Candidates Placed in Nomination— Speech of Judge West in Behalf of Mr. Blaine — Scenes of Unparalleled Enthusiasm — Steadfast Support for President Arthur — Mr. Blaine Nominated on the Fourth Ballot — Address of the Committee Informing Him of the Result — Mr. Blaine's Reply 365

CHAPTER XIV.

THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.

The Opening of Mr. Blaine's Campaign — A Statesmanlike Discussion of the Issues of the Day — The Rev,enue Laws and the Protective Tariff-— Agricultural Interests of the Nation— -Foreign and Domestic Commerce —Labor and Caiital — Relations with Foreign Nations — The South American RepubHcs— The Civil Service — -The Mormon Question— The Freedom and Purity of the Ballot 392

CHAPTER XV;

A Bitter and Exciting Political Contest— The Standard -Bearers of the Two Parties — Personal Attacks upon Mr. Blaine— -The Mugwump Defection —The State Election in Maine—Mr, Blaine's Tour through the Country—His Visit to New York—The Delmonico Dinner— The Visit of the Clergymen — " Rum^ Romanism and Rebellion "—Some Reckless Lying — Effect of the Mischief—Result of the Election— Mr., Blaine's Comments— The Cleveland Administration. . 421

CHAPTER XVL A CHALLENGE AND ITS ANSWER.

Free Trade Brought Forward as the Leading Iss^^e of the Democratic Party — President Cleveland's Message on the oubject in December, 1887 — Text of the Document that Sounded the Key-note of tfie Coming Campaign — A Prompt Reply by Mr. Blaine by Cable from Paris — Report of the Memorable Interview between Mr. Blaine and Mr. George W. Smalley — Its Effect upon Public Opinion and Politics in the United States 467

CONTENTS,

CHAPTER XVII.

AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.

The Convention of 1888— Mr. Blaine's V\'ork in the Campaign— The Harrison Administration — Mr. Blaine's Second Term as Secretary of State — The Samoan Affair — Extradition — The Pan American Conference — Reciprocity and its Results — American Pork in European Markets — The Fisheries — Bering Sea—Controversies with Chili and with Italy — A Notable Chapter in American Diplomacy 514

CHAPTER XVIIL THE MAN.

Foreign Travels and Literary Vork — The London Times' Estimate of *' Twenty Years of Congress " — Mr. Blaine's Home at Augusta — His Washington House — His Bar Harbor Cottage — The Children of the Household — A Brief Glance at S..me of Mr. Blaine's Personal Charicteristics , . . . . 53c

CHAPTER XIX.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN.

Mr. Blaine Declines Further Political Preferment and Retires from the ( abinet — I he Minneapolis i onvcntion and the Campaign of 1892— Mr. i>laine's Failing Health— His Wonderful Struggle Against the Foe— His Death 536

CHAPTER XX.

FINAL TRIBUTES.

An Outburst of National Grief — Words of Tribute from Chauncey Depew, Senator Hoar, Ex-Secretaries Fish and Evarts, Henry Watterson and others — Dr. MacArthui's Version of the Burchard Incident — The Funeral Services at the House— At the Church of the Covenant — At the Grave in Oak Hill Cemetery— The End 552

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

James G. Blaine, Frontispiece

Birthplace of James G. Blaine, 19

Burial Place of Blaine's Parents, . 38

Washington and Jefferson College, • ♦ 55

Philadelphia Blind Asylum, 74

Philadelphia Almshouse, 91

Blaine's Mansion, Augusta, no

House of Representatives, 127

Roscoe Conkling, 146

Wm. Windom, 163

Blaine's Mansion, Washington, 199

Senator Geo. F. Edmunds. 218

Robert T. Lincoln, . 2^5

Blaine Retiring from the Senate, 254

James A. Garfield, 271

Chester A. Arthur, * 290

State, Army and Navy Building, 307

Convention Building, Chicago, ......... 326

John A. Logan, 343

Grover Cleveland, ^^62

Thos. A. Hendricks, 379

Capitol, 398

Rev. Samuel D. Burchard, 415

Wm. McKinley, 434

Bar Harbor Cottage, 45 i

Harrison and Blaine Families at Bar Harbor, . . . 470

Walter Damrosch, 487

Benjamin Harrison, ^ ..... . 506

Emmons Blaine, 523

Walker Blaine, 542

James G. Blaine^s Cofifin, 563

Burial Ground Blaine Family, Augusta, Me., . . -574

Chapter I. Ancestral Memories

rhe Scotch-Irish Settlers in Pennsylvania— The Blaines— A Friend ci Washington— Important Services in the Revolution — Country Gentle^ men of the Old School— Founding of the Economite Community— Ephraim L, Blaine and Maria Gillespie — Their Home on Indian Hill Farm, West Brownsville,

Among the many and diverse elements which, during three centuries, have mingled together to form the American Nadon, there is none exhibiting a more persistent and commanding individuality than the Scotch Irish. The people of that stock, who migrated hither in large numbers before the Revolution, seemed to possess the very qualities that would insure success and leadership. Their transplantation — or that of their ancestors — from Scotland to the North of Ireland had imbued them with the colonizing spirit. They had retained the philosophy, the thrift and the energy characteristic of Caledonia, and had added thereto much of the wit, the versatility and the personal magnetism of the best Hibernian types. Less sombre and ascetic than the Puritans, yet far more practical and serious than the Cavaliers, they formed a golden mean between the two. Early in American i8

JAMES G, BLAIXE.

history they began to exercise influences greatly disproportionate to their numbers, and down to the present day have continued to be a singularly vital and stressful force, in trades, and businesses, and the learned professions, and also in public life.

By an interesting coincidence, they not only occupied a place spiritually and intellectually between New Encrland and Mr^inia, but the actual geographic?d settlement of many of them was in a similar position. Following after Penn, they made their homes in the fertile vallevs and amonor the picturesque m.ountain ranges of the region that bore his name ; and by their shrewdness and enterprise largely contributed to the grovrth of that colony into one of the most important States of the Union. Conspicuous among these makers of Pennsylvania was a family that had enjoyed much prosperity and an enviable social rank in the old country, and that now placed in American history a name already famous in the annals of Scotland — the name of Blaine.

Concerning the first generations of that family in America, little needs here to be said ; or can be said, indeed, because of paucity of information. They were well-to-do people, industrious and progressive; and they possessed themselves of several fine tracts of land, some in the western part of the State, in the neighborhood of Pittsburg and along the Monongahela river, which have since proved rich in iron and coal, and others in

ANCESTRAL MEMORIES.

that beautiful Cumberland Valley, which is one of the choicest agricultural districts of the vState. It was in the latter region that Ephraim Blaine, the first member of the family of especial concern in the present writing, chiefly made his home.

Eohraim Blaine was a close friend of Washino-- ton ; a simple, but much-me aning fact. The Father of His Country was not given to making a public assembly-room of his heart. He guarded the approaches toit with jealous care. No comer who could not give the pass-words of soberness and truth, of loyalty and mianhood, might hope - for entrance. It may, therefore, well be believed that those who were admitted to his confidence and friendship were m^en of moral and mental worth ; and that such was Ephraim Blaine. He was not only a friend of Washington ; he was his comrade in arms. He was one of the first to join in the armed contest for independence ; he rose to the rank of Colonel in the regular army, and was Commissary-General during the last five years of the war. Nor were his militant services in camp and field, great as they were, the most important tliat he rendered. He was a man of wealth — for those times — and of wide influence, and he placed his own fortune, and persuaded many of his friends to place theirs, at the disposal of the Governm.ent at a time when dollars were of more value than bullets. On more than one occasion, when the Continental Treasury was empty, he advanced large sums of money for the purchase of supplies for the troops, thus averting discontent and disaster. Especially during that dreadful winter -at Valley Forge were his heroism and self-sacrifice of inestimable value to the cause of independence. Washington himself awarded him the credit of saving the army from utter starvation. After the war, the friendship of Washington and Blaine continued, and the first President, together with Hamilton Knox and others, was glad to enjoy the hospitalities of the Blaine mansion, at Middlesex, near Carlisle.

Ephraim Blaine died at his home in the Cumberland Valley in 1804, leaving his eldest son, James, to be the head of the family. The latter was intended by his father for public life. He received a fine education and v/as then sent abroad to study, to travel, and to gain that cosmopolitan culture that could only be acquired by residence in the European capitals. Having at his disposal a fortune ample for the gratification of his tastes, the young man devoted year after year to this delightful occupation. He had become familiar with every important city of Europe, and a weL • come member of its best society, and at the close of the Revolutionary War came home as the bearer of some special despatches of great importance to the Government. He returned to Carlisle endowed with all the intellectual and social wealth that he had gone to seek, but without that ambition for political preferment for which his father had hoped. Instead, therefore, of entering the public service, he devoted himself to private interests. His life was that of the country gentleman of the old school ; enjoying to the full the ease and pleasures his wealth could command, exercising a most generous hospitality and offering an ever ready hand and purse to every good cause, of charity or of social weal. He did not, however, lead a life of idleness. Ample as was his fortune, he paid keen attention to its enlargement, and showed himself a shrewd and successful business man. He had inherited from his father extensive lands in the western part of the State. Rightly believing that Pittsburg would become a great centre of trade and manufactures, he increased his holdings there, and became the owner of a tract that now is worth many millions of dollars.

The eldest son of James Blaine was Ephraim Lyon Blaine, who was born at Carlisle. His education and early training were much like those of his father. After receiving the best instruction available at home, he was sent to Europe, and there spent several years in study and pleasure-seeking. Thence he went to South America, and to the West Indies, visiting all important places and familiarizing himself with the life and the interests of each country. His father's death recalled him to Pennsylvania, where he found

JAMES G, BLAINET himself the possessor of a great estate. The family home was at Carlisle. But the bulk of his lands lay further west, and as these were continually increasing in value, and needed close personal attention, he soon found it desirable to remove thither. Accordingly, in i8i8,'he settled in Beaver County, on the Ohio river. Here, and on the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, he owned thousands of acres of land, mostly covered with timber, and at that time giving no indication of the enormous wealth they now represent.

Five years later Mr. Blaine sold to the community known as the Economites for only ^25,000 the tract of land in Beaver County on which their large and wealthy village of Economy now stands. An interesting account of this transaction has been given by Mr. Jonathan Lenz, one of the principal officers of the Economites, which may properly here be quoted. The community, under the leadership of Frederick Rapp, hard first established the town of Harmony, in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Thence they migrated westward, and built the town of Harmony, Indiana, in the Wabash Valley, in 18 14, in what was then an unbroken wilderness. The location chosen was an unfortunate one, from the fact that it was swampy and unhealthy, and the strength of the colony was greatly reduced by death. Mr. Rapp finally called the people together and suggested that they return to Pennsylvania, but .on putting it to

ANCESTRAL MEMORIES.

a vote it was decided to give the new Harmony a further trial, it being suggested that by clearing away more of the forest they might be relieved from the malaria which was so rapidly thinning their ranks. This was done, but without success, and at the end often years, in 1824, it was decided to turn their faces once more toward the Keystone State, but to select a better locality than that first hit upon in Butler County. Mr. Rapp, with a chosen band of men from the colony, started out on the 6th of May, 1824, and reaching the Ohio river embarked on the steamboat Plowboy for Pennsylvania. The steamboats of those days did not possess the speed of our present river palaces, and it was not until some time in the month of June that they landed at French Point.

Not far away was the home of Ephraim Lyon Blaine. The house stood vv^ell back from the river, in a small clearing, many of the trees cut down to make room for it still lying on the ground unburned. About a hundred yards away from it on the river side the ground w^as depressed and swampy, the water being at all times knee deep, while further on was the high plateau on the margin of the river, well drained and in a very rich soil. A bargain was struck by Mr. Blaine for the land, and he gave pvossession of the house in about two months after the purchase.

''The Blaines/* continues Mr. Lenz, who was a member of the pioneer party of Economites,

JAMES G, BLAINE.

''were liberal livers, fond of good horses and hunting, and men of the best class of those days. The house was comfortably and even elegantly furnished, as you can judge by looking at some of the articles we purchased from them, and which we have had in constant use ever since. Everybody in the Society thought highly of the Blaines, and were sorry when they left the neighborhood. We all went to work with a will, and soon had a number of log and frame houses erected and ready for occupancy, the work of clearing the ground having first been done. Our first church was a laro-e structure, built of shellbark hickory logs fifty feet long, which I myself squared, having while in Indiana learned to use the broad-ax as part of my trade as a wagonmaker. This edifice stood for fifty-five years, and was only torn dov/n then because it had decayed and become shabby looking. When we had sufficient house-room in the settlement Mr. Rapp moved into the great house, and in 1825 the main - body of the colony joined us.

When Mr. Rapp vacated the old Blaine house, it was determined to take it down and remove it to the villao^e, there to be re-erected. At its former site it stood ao-ainst an embankment, and the lower story was in the nature of a basement. When set up on level ground it was a large twostory structure, as you now see. It contains all the original material, even to the plastering, and

ANCESTRAL MEMORIES. 2 J

has been used by us as a school-house. In size of ground it is 45 x 55 feet, with five rooms on each floor, most of them beincr verv iar'-o. It had been occupited by the elder Blaine ten or twelve years when we bought it, and consequent])' must be more than seventy years old, yet is in a good state of preservation."

The wife of Ephraim L. Blaine was ?vlaria Gillespie. This name indicates Scotcli origin. But the Gillespies w^ere not, like the Biaines, Presbyterians in religion, but ardent and devout Roman Catholics. Their home was in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, w^here they were large land-owners and ranked hio-h amono- the local e-r'- -

o o

tocracy. One of them, Neal Gillespie, crc^- '1 the Mononi»-ahela river into Washina-ton C oun^' and built a stone house on his farm at WV-i Brownsville — known as Indian Hill farm. Here he exercised a country gentleman's hospitalit\ . like that of the Blaines. The house was large and commodious, and surrounded by gardens and orchards, with vast fields of grain and grass an 1 pasture land extending along the river. Not far away w^as the old residence of Albert Gallatin, and many other notable rnen of those days lived near by.

Maria Gillespie was the daughter of Xeal Gillespie, and was born in this stone mansion at West Browmsville. She was noted, all through that region for her remarkable beauty, and was

JAMES G, BLAINE.

Still more esteemed by all who knew her for her high intellectual and spiritual gifts. Said one of the /'oldest inhabitants" of that neighborhood:

I married the sister of Ephraim L. Blaine, and he and I went to school together, and I knew him nearly all his life. He was a leader in mischief in the school, and always a lover of the good things of the world. He was the handsomest man I ever saw, and his wife was a match for him. She was one of the noblest' women I ever knew. She inherited all the sterling traits of character and strength of mind for which the Gillespies were noted." Mr. Blaine and Miss Gillespie had been brought up in the most widely different religious beliefs, and after their marriage they retained those creeds without clashing or controversy. Each respected the conscientious convictions of the other, and to the end of their lives he was a Presbyterian, she a Catholic. By her consent, indeed by her wish, however, their children were instructed in the Presbyterian faith.

The characteristic thrift of the Scotchman was not^ conspicuous in Ephraim Lyon Blaine. It was subordinated to the open-handed hospitality and careless ease of the Celt. As a result, his fortune dwindled. From Beaver County he moved down into Washington County, and settled at West Brownsville, and married Maria Gillespie. He owned a considerable tract of land in that neighborhood. But at his wife's desire they made their home on some of her own property, known as ''Indian Hill Farm/' adjoining her birthplace. Here they built a substantial wooden house, two stories high, vv^hich is still standing, in good repair. It is close to the road, w^ith only a narrow strip of grass in front. At the rear there is an ample garden, extending almost to the Monongahela river. Here Ephraim Blaine and Maria Gillespie, his wife, lived for many years, and here their child, the famous subject of this history,' was born and spent his early years.

Impaired fortunes presently compelled Ephraim Blaine to seek employment in the public service. For a number of years he was Justice of the Peace atWest Browmsville, and was consequently known to his neighbors as ''Squire" Blaine. Then, in 1843, he was elected Pro thonotary of Washington County. This made it necessary for him to remove to Washington, the county seat, taking, of course, his family with him. There he made his home for the remainder of his life. At his death, his remains were interred at W^est Brownsville, as were also those of his wife ; and at the present time there may be seen, in the shadow of the old, tiaiebeaten village church, two graves marked with a single stone, bearing the inscription, ''Ephraim L. Blaine and Maria Gillespie Blaine."

CHAPTER IL

CHILDHOOD AND STUDENT LIFE.

The Influences of Heredity — A Characteristic Incident of Childhood — First Studies at Home — At Scliool at Lancaster, Ohio — Entering Washington College — The Roll of His Classmates — His Leadership in Colltrge Life — His Rank as a Student — Little Participation in Aihietic Games — Inc^df^nt^ of Student Life — An Original Demonstration — The Programme of Commencement Day — The Prophetic Subject of His Commencement Oration.

It has been justly observed that a man's education, to be complete, should begin with his grandparents. In the light of that principle the boy that w^as born to Ephraim L, and Maria Gillespie Blaine at the Indian Hill farm, West Brownsville, on January 31, 1830, began his education in a most auspicious manner. -His ancestry, on both sides, as w^e have seen, w^as an admirable one. It united the traits of thrift, sagacity, enterprise, industry, loyalty to the State, loyalty to kin and friends, intellectual and physical vigor, love of cult' ure and love of adventure, natural leadership, and indeed all the qualities of the best American manhood and womanhood. Assuredly the child that should inherit such a nature would be well equipped for whatever lot might befall him in life.

These advantages of heredity, however, cannot be regarded as the sole reasoa of the distinguished 30

CHILDHOOD AND STUDENT LIFE.

success attained by the subject of this work. Doubtless hundreds of other children were born in the State of Pennsylvania in that same year of equally estimable parentage and with equally favorable influences of ancestry and early environment. Nor can we ascribe his hlorh achievements to any fortuitous circumstance of early or later life. There are those who, as has been said, have greatness thrust upon them. Some event, entirely bf^yond the compass of their own effort, brings to them an opportunity of distinction. And some have even attained eminence who actually had not the readiness of talent to embrace and improve such an opportunity Vv^hen it was offered to them, but literally had it forced upon them. Such, assuredly, was not the case with James Gillespie Blaine. He was no more born to greatness than a host of his fellow- Americans whose names have remained unknown to public record and to public fame. In no event of his life can it be said that greatness was thrust upon him. Whenever opportunity of meritorious achievement presented itself, he was ready in spirit and able in talent to improve it. But even such circumstances presented themselves to him in no extraordinary degree ; certainly no more than to the average American of his time. Only one alternative is therefore left : to regard him as a man who has achieved greatness by the force of his own inherent genius. As we sball unfold the chapters of his life, one by one, and shall review, one by one, his achievements in many departments of human industry and public service, this fact will become more and more apparent.