(1) What was his opinion of the Kansas-Nebraska bill? (2) What danger did he see in it? (3) Compare his letter to Seward with his letter to Taft. (4) Was he a believer in making United States notes [greenbacks] legal tender? (5) Compare his positions on the subject in 1862 and 1868. (6) What relation did he believe the southern seceded states bore to the Union?

(1) How would he treat the negroes? (2) Collect the proofs for your answer. (3) Was he a believer in the arrest of Vallandigham? (4) Was he favorable to Lincoln's re-election in 1864? (5) What view did he take of the plan adopted in regard to the reconstruction of the southern states? (6) Write a life of S. P. Chase based on these documents.

JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE

Born in Pennsylvania, 1830. Graduate of Washington and Jefferson College. Taught school in Kentucky, 1847-50. Citizen of Maine, 1854. Member of Maine legislature, 1858-1862. Member of House of Representatives, 1862-1876. Speaker, 1869-1876. Candidate for nomination for President, 1876, 1880, 1892. Candidate, 1884. Senator, 1876-1881. Secretary of state, 1881, 1889-1892. Died, 1893.

CHAPTER X

JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE

Elegan this series of studies with Albert Gallatin. It is now brought to

WR

a close with the death of Blaine in 1893. Practically one hundred years of American history have been covered, as Gallatin may be said to have come into prominence as a national statesman about 1793.

Four generations of American legislators may be said to have passed across the political stage. Of these Gallatin only, of those we have studied, belonged to the earliest period. Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and Monroe also come before us asdistinguished men who might well have had a place in our list. However, most of them would more properly, perhaps, be classed with Washington as great administrators rather than with Gallatin as legislators. In the second period we have studied J. Q. Adams, Clay, Webster, and Calhoun, four men who stand out pre-eminent among the statesmen of their time. In the main we have considered these men from the standpoint of legislators. Each of them, however, was great also as an administrator, and some of them achieved fame in diplomacy as well. Lincoln's name is the only one in the third quarter of our century that may be said to tower above those that we have studied, and his name is distinguished in

other fields than that of legislation. Seward, Sumner, Chase, and Douglas were dominant forces in American politics in the years just before and during the Civil War. Of those who have struggled primarily with the problem of reconstruction and other post-bellum questions only one name has been considered-the name of Blaine; perhaps not the most constructive statesman of this fourth period, but the one who had on the whole the greatest popular following.

The extracts made bring out, it is hoped, the main points in Blaine's early life, as well as the principles for which he stood in his more mature years There is no adequate collection of his letters and speeches as yet made, so it becomes much more difficult than in the cases of the other men we have studied to make the best selections. Perhaps also we are yet too near his period to appreciate fully the strong and the weak points in his career. Time only can tell what his ultimate place in American history will be.

Blaine's father was quite a skillful politician. Once he was charged with being a Catholic, as his wife was. He asked the Catholic priest for a statement to the contrary and received the following. He was equal to the emergency, however, and succeeded in winning the election:

This is to certify that Ephraim L. Blaine is not now and never was a member of the Catholic church; and furthermore, in my opinion, he is not fit to be a meinber of any church. -Gail Hamilton's Life of

Blaine, p. 73.

A note from an early friend:

You know, and Irhaps he knew, what my feeling toward him was, always has been, with no weakening

or shadow of turning. He buckled one's heart to him with hooks of steel." I so well remember when and where I saw him first. It was when he was in college, in Washington, at a gay little picnic He was the life and the light of the fete, so joyous were his spirits, so incessant the play of his wit. -Life of Blaine,

p. 78.

Recommendations from Blaine's Professors, October 1, 1847:

Mr. James G. Blaine having gone through a regular and full course in Washington College Penn. was graduated Sept. 29, 1847. During the whole period of his connection with College he maintained the character of a very punctual, orderly, diligent and successful student. His demeanor was always respectful, and becoming a gentleman. When graduated, to him with two others, was awarded the first Honor of a large, & respectable class of thirty-three. He is of one of the most respectable families of Washington County; & bt propriety of conduct, polite and pleasing manners will entitle himself to a place in the best society. If he should become an Instructor in a High School, Academy, or College, his talents, literary acquirements, dignity, decision, fidelity, & prudence will not fail to merit the confidence, & approbation of those who may obtain his services.

Of your qualifications for teaching, so far as these depend upon character and scholarship, I may speak with the highest confidence. Your knowledge of the languages especially, being critical beyond what is often attained at college, fits you in a special manner for the office of instructor in this department.

In a word, sir, I feel assured that those who may be so fortunate as to secure your services in this capacity will, when you become known to them as you are known to us, be satisfied that no recommendation of ours has been in the least exaggerated.

The professor of mathematics thought it "but justice to him to say that in my department Mr. Blaine specially excels. From the commencement of his course in mathematical studies he manifested a peculiar fondness for them; his recitations gave evidence of thorough investigation, and his demonstrations were