James G. Blaine
A Brief History
Although born in Pennsylvania, James G. Blaine was one
of the most illustrious political leaders the State of Maine ever produced.
He was Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress, then
a US Senator and, on two later occasions, served as our country's Secretary
of State. In 1884 by less than 2000 votes, he lost the presidency, when
he failed to carry the state of New York by that small margin.
In recent years, scholars have begun to re-examine his
voice in public life, and especially his international achievements,
such as his founding of the Pan American Union, which is now the Organization
of American States.
"It is my first and strongest desire,
that this house, which has been a home for so many years and in which
my son was born, shall be used and maintained as the official residence
for the Governor of Maine, ... this would meet the approval of my dear
son who devotedly loved his home, Augusta, and his native state. I leave
the fulfillment of this trust to the good faith of the State for whose
honor my son with many others gave his life."
-- Harriet Blaine Beale, 1919 |
