Editing James G. Blaine (section)

=== Teacher and publisher ===
In 1848, Blaine was hired as a professor of mathematics and ancient languages at the [[Western Military Institute]] in [[Georgetown, Kentucky]].{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=16–17|Russell||2p=12}} Although he was only 18 years old and younger than many of his students, Blaine adapted well to his new profession.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=17–19|Rolde||2pp=38–39}} Blaine grew to enjoy life in his adopted state and became an admirer of Kentucky Senator [[Henry Clay]].{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=17–19|Rolde||2pp=38–39}} He also made the acquaintance of Harriet Stanwood, a teacher at the nearby [[Millersburg, Kentucky|Millersburg]] Female College and native of Maine.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1p=20|Russell||2p=28}} On June 30, 1850, the two wed.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1p=20|Russell||2p=28}} Blaine once again considered taking up the study of law, but instead took his new bride to visit his family in Pennsylvania.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=21–22|Russell||2pp=28–29}} They next lived with Harriet Blaine's family in [[Augusta, Maine]], for several months, where their first child, Stanwood Blaine, was born in 1851.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=21–22|Russell||2pp=28–29}} The young family soon moved again, this time to Philadelphia where Blaine took a job at the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind (now [[Overbrook School for the Blind]]) in 1852, teaching science and literature.{{sfn|Rolde|p=47}}

[[File:KennebecJournalOffice.jpg|thumb|upright|The offices of the ''Kennebec Journal'', where Blaine got his start in politics as editor.]]

Philadelphia's law libraries gave Blaine the chance to, at last, begin to study the law, but in 1853 he received a more tempting offer: to become editor and co-owner of the ''[[Kennebec Journal]]''.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=21–22|Russell||2pp=28–29}} Blaine had spent several vacations in his wife's native state of Maine and had become friendly with the ''Journal''{{'}}s editors. When the newspaper's founder, [[Luther Severance]], retired, Blaine was invited to purchase the publication along with co-editor Joseph Baker.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=21–22|Russell||2pp=28–29}} He quickly accepted, borrowing the purchase price from his wife's brothers.{{sfn|Rolde|p=49}} In 1854, Baker sold his share to [[John L. Stevens]], a local minister.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=22–23, 27|Russell||2pp=30–31}} The ''Journal'' had been a staunchly Whig newspaper, which coincided with Blaine's and Stevens' political opinions.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1pp=22–23, 27|Russell||2pp=30–31}} The decision to become a newspaperman, unexpected as it was, started Blaine on the road to a lifelong career in politics.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1p=24|Crapol||2pp=3–4}} Blaine's purchase of the ''Journal'' coincided with the demise of the Whig party and the birth of the Republican party, and Blaine and Stevens actively promoted the new party in their newspaper.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1p=27|Crapol||2p=4}} The newspaper was financially successful, and Blaine was soon able to invest his profits in coal mines in Pennsylvania and Virginia, forming the basis of his future wealth.{{sfnm|Muzzey||1p=28|Crapol||2p=18}}