JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE.

F there is one man in this country who has attracted public attention more than another, during the past decade, that man is the subject of this short notice. He was born at the Indian Hill farm, West Brownsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1830. His great-grandfather, Ephraim Blaine, was a Colonel in the Pennsylvania line, and Commissary General during the Revolutionary War, or at least that period from 1778 to 1783. James G. Blaine was educated principally in Washington County, though he lived for a time, during his boyhood, in the family, at Lancaster, Ohio, of that eminent statesman, Thomas Ewing, late Secretary of the United States Treasury. With his cousin, the present General Thomas Ewing, he was for a time under the tutelage of an Englishman named William Lyons, a brother of the elder Lord Lyons, and uncle of the late British Minister at Washington. After a full course of study at Washington College, Pennsylvania, which he entered in 1843, where he was specially distinguished for his mathematical ability, he graduated in 1847.

His first vocation was teaching, becoming a professor in the Western Military Institute, at Georgetown, Kentucky, a few miles from Lexington. Here he spent two years, training his mind for the logical reasoning for which he is noted. Meantime he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, but never practiced the profession. At this period of his life he was a frequent contributor to newspapers and maga zines, having an inherent love for the profession of journalism.

In 1853 he went East, instead of West, as the late Horace Greeley advised the Hon. J. B. Grinnell, and located in the Pine

Tree State. Here he assumed the editorship and control of the Kennebec (Maine) Journal.

Upon the formation of the Republican party, in 1854, he threw himself into the cause, and in 1855 was noted as a political speaker. The late Governor Kent, of Maine, wrote of him as follows:

"Almost from the day of his assuming editorial charge of the Kennebec Journal, at the early age of twenty-three, Mr. Blaine sprang into a position of great influence in the politics and policy of Maine. At twenty-five he was a leading power in the councils of the Republican party, so recognized by Fessenden, Hamlin, the two Morrills, and others then, and still, prominent in the State. Before he was twenty-nine, he was chosen Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Republican organization in Maine-a position he has held ever since, and from which he has practically shaped and directed every political campaign in the State-always leading his party to brilliant victory. Had Mr. Blaine been New England born, he would probably not have received such rapid advancement at so early an age, even with the same ability he possessed. But there was a sort of Western dash about him that took with us Down-Easters; an expression of frankness, candor and confidence, that gave him from the start a very strong and permanent hold on our people, and, as the foundation of all, a pure character, and a masterly ability equal to all demands upon him."

In 1858 he was chosen to the Legislature, where he served four years, the two last as Speaker of the House. In 1862 he was chosen a Representative in Congress, and from his entry into that body dates his national reputation. His fellow-members were not long in finding out that "the man from Maine" was fully able to measure lances with the best men in Congress. His mind was fully equipped, he had a remarkably retentive memory, a constitution that enabled him to do a vast amount of work, and, withal, was earnest in his convictions, and not afraid to enunciate his belief. Mr. Blaine has never been ac cused of evading responsibility, or the expression of his opinions

on any public question. In short, he is, and always has been, a positive man.

When only thirty-nine years of age, in the year 1869, he was chosen Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, having, since the death of Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania, been regarded as the leader of his party upon the floor. Mr. Blaine distinguished himself by his thorough knowledge of parliamentary rules, his quickness, firmness and impressive manner. He held the Speakership until March, 1875, and, at the close of each Congress, was complimented most cordially by both parties for his impartiality.

In 1876, the Democracy having got control of the House, he was defeated for the Speakership by Hon. S. J. Randall. The history of the war and reconstructive legislation, could not be written without large mention of James G. Blaine. His hand was visible in all his party's measures, and his power was what brought to fruition many of the most important measures of that stormy period. One of his greatest speeches was entitled, "The Ability of the American People to Suppress the Rebellion." This was delivered when the clouds seemed dark est, and when our people were most depressed, but its force carried conviction, and nerved many an aching heart to renewed courage and hope. In fact, it proved such a powerful document when printed, it was used for campaign purposes in the canvass of 1864.

In 1876 Mr. Blaine was the most prominent candidate of his party for the Presidential nomination. At the Convention which was held in Cincinnati, he was placed in nomination in a speech by Colonel Ingersoll that fairly thrilled and captured the Convention. On every ballot, except the last, he received the highest number of votes, but was finally beaten by his opponents uniting upon Governor Hayes, of Ohio. Among the very first messages of congratulation that Governor Hayes received, was one from the "Plumed Knight," and in the canvass which followed, no one did more than Blaine, to win success for the ticket.

In July, 1876, Hon. Lot M. Morrill, having been appointed Secretary of the Treasury, the Governor of Maine appointed Mr. Blaine U. S. Senator. In the Senate he proved "infallible in history and impregnable in debate;" but his energy and vehemence better fitted him for leadership in the more turbulent House.

Again, in 1880, Mr. Blaine was a candidate for the Presidency, and would have won it without doubt but for the candidacy of General Grant. Again a compromise of his opponents consolidated the vote upon General Garfield, but not until Mr. Blaine had advised his supporters to transfer their allegiance to Garfield. Soon after Garfield's election he notified Mr. Blaine that he was the choice for Secretary of State, an office which he accepted, resigning his seat in the Senate. His letter to President Garfield accepting the trust, was one of the manliest ever written by a political chieftain to his chief. Upon Garfield's untimely death, he tendered his resignation as Secretary of State to President Arthur, and was succeeded by Hon. Theodore T. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey. Since that time Mr. Blaine has been busy at work on his book "Twenty Years in Congress." In the summer of 1884 he was nominated by the Republican party for President, but was defeated at the polls.

HIS distinguished gentleman, late Secretary of War and the only member of Garfield's Cabinet who was continued under President Arthur, is the eldest and only surviving son of our martyred President, Abraham Lincoln. Robert T. Lincoln was born in Springfield, Illinois, August 1, 1843, and there spent his early boyhood days. At seven years of age he entered the academy of a Mr. Estabrook, where he studied for three years. He then entered the Illinois State University at Springfield, and studied six years,or until 1859, when he was sent east to Phillips' Academy, at Exeter, New Hampshire, one of the oldest, most noted, and best schools of New England. At this academy he made preparation for admittance to Harvard University, and in one year successfully passed his examination. At college he was known as a good scholar, excelling in Political Economy, History, and kindred branches of education, in the choice of which the University permitted the gratification of individual taste. Among his classmates he was very popular, being appointed Chairman of the Class-Day Committee. The“ Hasty Pudding Club" also appointed him Vice-President. He graduated in 1864, and after a vacation of two months entered the Harvard Law School. Here he studied four months, when he left Harvard, to accept a position on General Grant's staff as Captain and Assistant Adjutant General. He held this position from February 20, 1865, to June 10, of the same year, when the war being practically over, he resigned and began again the study of the law in Chicago.

February 26, 1867, he was admitted to the bar, and at once formed a co-partnership with J. Y. Scammon, an old friend of