by tireless work,
Blaine laid his plans so well that he secured the nomination four years
later, only to have New York State thrown against him by Conkling and to
go down to defeat. Conkling had his revenge, and Blaine's career was
practically at an end, for he was an old and broken man.

Let us add frankly that there were many within his own party who
mistrusted him--who believed him insincere, if not actually dishonest,
and refused to support him. For a fourth time, in 1892, he attempted to
get the nomination, but his name had lost its wizardry, and he was
defeated by Benjamin Harrison. There are few more pitiful stories in
American politics than that of this brilliant and able man, consumed by
the desire for a great prize which seemed always within his grasp and
yet which always eluded him. For a quarter of a century, he chased this
will-o'-the-wisp, only to be led by it into a bog and left to perish
there.

There are a few names on the later pages of American statesmanship which
stand for notable achievement, more especially in the line of diplomacy,
the two greatest of which are those of John Hay and Elihu Root. Both of
these men, as secretary of state, did memorable work; not the sort of
work which appeals to popular imagination, for there was nothing
spectacular about it; but quiet and effective work in the forming of
informal alliances and treaties with foreign nations, maintaining
America's position as a world power, and making her the friend of all
the world. That is the position she should occupy, since she has no
quarrel with any one; and it is with its maintenance that the
statesmanship of the present day is principally concerned.

* * * * *

So we close this chapter on American Statesmen. It is a tragic
chapter--tragic because of thwarted ambitions, and unfulfilled desires.
Of them all, Benjamin Franklin was the only one whose life was from
first to last happy and contented, who realized his ideals and who died
in peace; and this, I think, because he asked nothing for himself,
hungered for no preferment, was consumed by no ambition, sacrificed
nothing to expediency, but accepted life with large philosophy and
never-failing humor, realizing that in serving others he was best
serving himself, and whose inward peace was manifest in his placid and
smiling countenance. Upon the rocks of ambition the greatest of those
who followed him dashed themselves to pieces.

SUMMA