‘Liar’ studies a powerful politician

CONTINENTAL LIAR FROM THE STATE OF MAINE: JAMES G. BLAINE, by Neil Rolde, Tilbury House Publishers, Gardiner, Maine, 2007, 368 pages, soft cover, $20.

In “Continental Liar” author Neil Rolde examines the man he considers – and most historians would agree – to be the most powerful politician to ever represent the Pine Tree State.

Republican James G. Blaine, a Pennsylvania native and longtime Augusta resident, was known by many names during his rise through the halls of power in the second half of the 19th century. Whether he was called “Continental Liar,” “Slippery Jim,” “The Plumed Knight” or “The Magnetic Man from Maine,” people from across the country knew of James G. Blaine, who twice rose to the position of secretary of state and also controlled the nomination of four candidates for president, including himself in 1884.

Historians consider the 1884 election against Grover Cleveland of New York to be one of the nastiest on record. Blaine lost the Empire State by 1,047 votes and, as a result, the election. The story of that defeat is well-documented in “Continental Liar,” as are many other interesting stories about Blaine’s public and private life, which reveal how he acquired so many interesting nicknames.

Rolde’s history of Blaine is both entertaining and comprehensive. His research is thorough, and the biography benefits from his careful handling of the information. The reader certainly will be able to develop a picture of a politician who combined the talents of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

Rolde’s examination of the many personal tragedies in Blaine’s life sheds light on his character and also his relationships with family and close friends.

One of Blaine’s most calamitous experiences came when he was standing next to President James Garfield as Charles Guiteau shot the chief executive at a Washington, D.C., railroad station in 1881. Blaine, who was a close friend of Garfield’s, was given the honor of delivering the eulogy before both houses of Congress. Many of his contemporaries considered it to be Blaine’s most masterful work.

Despite the title, this book is a fair evaluation of this controversial figure. Rolde examines all the hot-button issues associated with Blaine, including his battles with New York Sen. Roscoe Conkling, his friendships with the rich and famous, his use of influence, his foreign policy agenda, his handling of religious issues and even his ability to tell a good joke and charm the ladies.

Learning about Blaine has never been so entertaining and easy to digest. And don’t think you’re reading about a statesman who no longer matters. Even in today’s headlines, Blaine’s name is associated with controversy. Blaine Amendments, which are provisions in many state constitutions that prohibit the use of state funds for sectarian schools, are under attack in courts across the country.

Jim Emple is a Bangor Daily News copy editor.