Today, as politics tend to play out, he's more of a footnote, remembered most often perhaps because he was walking in Washington, D.C., with President James A. Garfield when the latter was struck by an assassin's bullet on July 2, 1881 (Garfield died weeks later, on Sept. 19).
Blaine had been hoping to bag for himself the Republican presidential nomination that eventually went to Garfield in 1880 --- and that campaign was the reason for his visit to Chariton on Oct. 13, 1879.
And Blaine certainly had a fan in the unidentified reporter who produced the following report --- under a four-decker headline --- for The Chariton Patriot of Oct. 15. Blaine's visit, according to the headline writer, had given Lucas Countyans an opportunity to hear Blaine's "matchless political eloquence and feel his marvelous magnetism."
Here's the text of this somewhat over the top report:
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The crowning event in the history of our city was the great political meeting addressed by Senator Blaine on Monday last. It is not our purpose to give an inflated account of the numbers present, of the preparations made, of the generous welcome extended, or of any of the features of the great occasion, but simply to give such a representation of the facts as will impress every one present as being free from spread eagle enthusiasm.
The reception committee met Mr. Blaine at Indianola and accompanied him to Chariton. When the train reached the depot, the immense crowd appeared to get the first glimpse of the man, whose name and fame has not only made for him a shrine in the heart of every member of the grandest political party known in the history of the world, but secured for him the respect and admiration of every liberal minded citizen in the land.
Mr. Blaine, accompanied by the committee and escorted by a mounted guard, was driven from the depot through the city. The decorations and the mottoes which hung before him on the route greatly pleased the distinguished visitor. He promptly testified his appreciation by expressing great admiration for the taste and beauty of the display, and the more than hearty welcome so cordially extended. He further evidenced his agreeable disappointment, by admitting that the line between Iowa and Missouri was not an imaginary one, as he had thought, but a great barrier which had protected the Southern counties against the contaminating influences of our Democratic neighbor.
He was saluted at the depot on his arrival and on the route through the city by the brass bands stationed at regular intervals. The great multitude maintained a respectful attitude and so distributed itself along the route as to avoid crowding or preventing anyone from seeing, full and fair, the noble face of a "man who has the grandest combination of heart, conscience and brain beneath the flag."
Mr. Blaine and the committee were handsomely entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Bates, at the Bates House. The dining room was handsomely decorated with evergreens and words of welcome.
After dinner Mr. Blaine was driven to the grounds near the depot where arrangements had been made for the speaking. When the people began concentrating around the stand, the magnitude of the gathering dawned upon all. Seats had been prepared for 5,000 people; they were completely filled and all so tightly wedged in as to accommodate 6,000. This number was determined by actual measurement. All who saw the masses from the stand agree in saying that many more stood up than sat down, so when we say that 13,000 listened to the speech we are within the limits of an exact statement. Thousands could not hear a word, and left after viewing the greatest assemblage ever witnessed by them. the public square at the time of the speaking was alive with people. Many had come out of curiosity, and only desired to see the Henry Clay of modern times. Their views perhaps were not in accord with his, and they were not particularly anxious to hear him demolish their political faith. The number in the city who did not hear the speech is estimated by calculating and conservative persons as 7,000. This estimate makes in round numbers, 20,000 people. The correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, who accompanied Mr. Blaine at his other meetings, estimated the gathering at 25,000, and Mr. Blaine said that the meeting was the largest he had addressed anywhere this year.
The grandstand was tastefully decorated with flags, mottoes and evergreens. A large number of gray haired soldiers of Republicanism took seats thereon, and the remaining seats were filled with prominent guests, and when the grand central figure arose to speak, there was a scene which will live long in the memories of all who were present. At about half past 2 o'clock Hon. J.S. Runnells, Chairman State Central Committee, presented the Senator in brief and appropriate terms. He was greeted with an outburst of enthusiasm which only his lifted hands could constrain. There stood the man of all men, whom they loved and desired to honor, his signal alone could hush the thousands of voices welling up from swelling hearts which desired to cheer a "man who snatched the mark of hypocrisy from the hideous face of rebellion; the man who, like an intellectual athlete, stood in the arena of debate and challenged all comers; and who, up to the present moment, is a total stranger to defeat.
"A man who, like an armed warrior, like a plumed knight, marched down the halls of congress and threw his shining lance full and fair against the brazen forehead of every defamer of his country and maligner of his honor."
The speech was one of peculiar power and eloquence, one that made every Republican supremely happy, one that caused greenbacker and Democrat, to feel very uncomfortable notwithstanding that every word was pleasantly addressed, and free from bitterness.
At the end of the speech the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. There did not appear to be a person in all that great throng, who would not have esteemed it a distinguished honor to shake the great man's hand and bid him God speed through many long years of usefulness in the future.
As soon as the Senator could get through the surging crowd, he was driven to the new Depot Hotel, where he received the generous hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Wormley. He was serenaded about train time by a number of bands, and made a brief acknowledgment. He left on the night express for Chicago and will speak next in Wisconsin.
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