Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1884 — Blaine’s War Record. [ARTICLE]

Blaine’s War Record.

Hon. Eben F. Pillsbury, formerly of Maine, told at the meeting of the Bay State Club the following story of the distinguished military services of the “white-plumed Navarre of debate,” and of debate only; “I would like to know what he did during the war, although he was foremost in support of the party and policy that led to the war. When the war came, he didn’t volunteer, but he was drafted—the first name drawn from the box. Prior to that time he put some money in a pool gotten up for the purpose, and with the money derived from that pool he hired a substitute. His name was Bradford, and a place was provided for him at Augusta instead of going to the front. Afterward he was detected selling for money forged certificates of exemption papers, and was arrested and confined in jail until the close of the war. Then, gentlemen, after the war had closed, the men who had pooled and put up their money to furdish substitutes clamored because the cities and towns did not pay their expenses. Then the cities and towns issued bonds for every man who hired a substitute. Blaine got his bond of S2OO. Afterward a resolution was put into the Common Council of the city of Augusta to pay Blaine S2OO, and it was voted and passed, and he got his pay twice. Now, gentlemen, that is a true story of Blaine’s service in putting down the rebellion. One would suppose from the manner in which he breathed defiance to the men of the South after the war’ that he feasted on rebel meat morning, noon, and night."