The New Student's Reference Work/Blair, Francis Preston

Blair, Francis Preston, journalist and politician, and founder and editor for a time of the Washington Globe, was born in Virginia in 1791, and died in Maryland, Oct. 18, 1876. He took an active part in politics before and after the War of the Rebellion, and on both the Democratic and the Republican side. In 1856 he was instrumental in organizing the republican party and in 1860 was one of the leaders who nominated Lincoln for the presidency. During the war he sought to bring about peace in the South. After Lincoln’s death he was, however, opposed to the Republican reconstruction policy, and returned to the Democratic camp.