Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-06-27

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cumstances, it would give US pleasure to
favor. But fairness, sincerity and candor
require US to say, that, in our judgment,
Gen. Garfield, from the experience acqui-
red in the honorable position in which
the people have placed him, Is, at this
time, the best fitted for efficient Congress
sional labor Of any gentleman in the Dis
trict. And this simply from the expert
ence which his position has given him,
and which experience Others lack, and
who, while gaining like experience would
be comparatively uniniuential and IN
efficient. We need now the best expe-
rience, and the greatest power we can
command. We should not be worship
ers of men. We should not be blind par
tisans. We should give our strength to
the cause. Every thing for the cause,
and nothing for men. That instrument
tality which can be most efficient for the
cause, is the instrumentality to be en-
ployed.
We all see and know that the men who
haye been longest in Congress, have the
greatest weight and influence there, and
Ohio, certainly, would do very unwise
thing should she weaken her weight and
influence in the National Councils, by
withdrawing any of her present able,
experienced and faithful representatives,
and replacing them by untried and mex
perienced men.
Now, who is James A. Garfield? Is he
worthy of the respect and confidence Of
the enlightened, patriotic and country
loving people, of the 10th Congressional
District2 We believe no Representative
deserves more of the good will and conf
! dence of his constituents, than doesh He
has been faithful to his convictions, faith
full to his principles, the principles ayow-
ed and cherished by the body of his con-
stituents.
We do not claim that he has made no
mistakes. To err is human. But we do
claim that he has been actuated by right
intentions, and that he has served the
cause and country well, and usefuly,
and that he has not only done honor to
himself but to his District.
1t is sincerely to be regretted that Un-
ion men conceive it to be important to
hawk at and disparage Union representa-
tiyes. Gen. Garfield, it seems, comes in
for his share of criticism, not only, but
of actual abuse and Misrepresentation
of exaggerated and colored statements
Patriotism and regard for the public in
terest do not dictate any such treatment
of true Union men, by Union men. Cop
perheads might inculpate Union men
and Representatives in this manner, but
Union men certainly cannot, unless i'm
pelIed by personal animosity or unworthy
selfshness. 1t is doubtless due to wor'
thy and deserving public servant, that
the people whom he serves, his more i'm
mediate constituency, vindicate him
! from unjust aspersions.
j Who can truthfully say that Gen. Gar
field is not q true Union man; faithfully
devoted to the Union cause, its princi-
ples and its friends? Who can say, and
| be believed, that Gen. Garfield, himself a
soldier. Is not friend of the soldiers, his
late companions in arms? Who can say
in sincerity that he is not patriot, faith
| fulIv devoted to the in terests of the
country? And yet, could his accusers be
/ believed, he is not worthy OF the COM
mon respect, or continued confidence OF
his constituents. Was ever anything
more unjust, preposterous, cruel or un-
kindf With a record as patriotic and
brilliant as that of Gen. Garfeld's, can a
man be hunted down and destroyed BY
i inuendoes and representations?
| Gen. Garfield is accused of being a
Young man, and to that charge we sup
pose the plea of guilty must be entered.
| We remember having read the eloquent
words of VIM. Pitt, when he replied to
the ACQUISITION of "the attrocious crime of
being young man." alleged against him
/ by Sir Robert Walpole.
And we remember, also, that history
records that when the French Directory
distrusted the propriety of assigning the
elder Napoleon to the command of the
sglorious Army of Italy," on account of
his youth, the then rising military hero
of France exclaimed, that he would be
soon older, or in his grave! If mans
life is measured by his deeds, rather
than his years, many man, young In
wears, may be counted quite in the ma
turity of his existence. 1ts to be hoped
that Gen. Garfield, though yet in his
early career, may not, like some OF his
selfish accusers, grow old without profit
ing by experience.
1t is true, it is only ten years the
present summer, since James A. Garfield
left the classic retreat OF Williams Col
Iege. as a graduate of the Senior class of
tbat renowned institution. And today
he stands foremost in the land, with a
National reputation, and name known
10 honorable fame, both as a soldier and
civilian. When the bloody rebellion
was inaugurated by false and traitorous
men and the tocsin of war was sounded, and
the Country called her sons to arms, Gen
Garfield left the retreat OF the scholar,
on Hiram Hill, land threw himself into
the fierce and then doubtful struggle
/ His ability, his efficiency, his useful
ness, his courage as soldier have never
been disputed MaleVolence alone can
attempt to mar his military record He
arose from position to position, until .
Major Generals commission illustrated
| his honorable career.
| His admIring constituency, apprecl-
ating his capability and sterling qualities,
deeming that the rebellion was toterlng
to its fall, summoned him to the Halls of
Congress, where he has achieved for him
self, as in the army, a brilliant record.-
He has shown in his civil career none OF
the clap-trap arts of the demagogue, but
the breadth of view, the sincerity, the r.
delity, and the independence of an hon
est man, true to his convictions of duty.
Though in action he may sometimes have
erred, as who has not, though IN position
\ he may sometimes have differed from the
views of his constituents, yet no man
can say, truthfully, that he has not de-
voted himself with an enlightend zeal to
the hest interests of the country. And
the honest men among his constituents,
who NAV have felt like questioning some
of his positions, would, perhaps, had they
been in his place, and taken view from
his stand point, agreed with him. 1t
must be remembered that our public
men, our CoDgressmen have been IN new
and untried scenes, and something must
be generously and charitably pardoned
to the difficulties of the situation.
We will here notice only an aspersion,
which his enemies, who would compass
his defeat, are casting upon his Congress
sional actions. They assail him for his
course in reference to the last Draft
which was promulgated to fill our armies.
A draft always imposes hardships, is al
ways unpopular, and immense numbers
avail themselves of the Communication