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


to you. JUSTICE.
Gen. Garfield.
The subject of electing members to the
XII. Congress is justly claiming attention.
Considerations of vast moment are in
volYed in securing proper selections. On
the succeeding, no less than on the pres
ent Congress will devolve the adjustment
of the questions of vital moment to the
Government and people of the United
States. The grave matter of reconstruc-
ton is yet in its inchoate state. Consti-
tutional amendments have just been
submitted by a two-thirds vote in both
Houses of Congress to the Legislature of
States for their adoption or rejection. If
rejected, we shall all be still at sea, and
shall need the aid and guidance of our
most skillful and veteran navigators.-
If ratified, still questions of the most
delicate and grave character concerning
the restoration of the relation of States
under the constitutional amendments,
will remain for solution, and will demand
the best experience, and most skilled
craftsmanship Of the Nation.
The questions of finance and of tariff, of
taxation, of the reduction of the Nation
al debt, of the security of personal, and
the enjoyment of equal rights by all men,
will all be topics of weightiest moment,
and their solution will involve the veal
or woe not only of the present, but of
future generations. In the proper, wise,
and statesmanlike adjustment of these
grave questions we may well ask, Whe
Is sufficient for these things? Certainly
not the man of moderate abilities, nor
AZ fha 0f e. i -
a mere sciolist in craftsmanship. Not
only the best talent, but the best expert
ence is requisite for these things.
The people may have their fayorites,
but after all they are more interested in
the clear definition and firm establish
ment of vital principles, than in the exal-
tation of any man, or set of men. Rep
.resentatives are but the agents, the in
strumentalities of the people, and it is
certainly of moment, that the people
avail themselves of the best, and most
effective instrumentalities within their
reach.
Men, if they are wise, do not select, as
public educators for the risin g generation,
persons deficient in learning and science
nor in mechanism, to perfect and ad
just the incest machinery do they employ
men without mechanical skill, expert
ence or training-nor in the profession of
law and medicine do they employ un-
skilled empiricism. Yet, in all matters
of governmental concern and adjustment,
men in the popular acceptation are born
legislators, and are prepared, without
previous training or education as legisla-
tors, to guide the destiny of the Nation.
1t requires learning and experience in a
Judge, in one who holds the scales of
Justice, and sits to define and protect the
rights of persons and property, but it re-
quires, it would seem, in the estimation
of many, neither learning, or ability or
experience to qualify one to act leading
efficient or useful part in legislative as
semblies. And yet, Government is a sci
ence, and so is craftsmanship, and so IS
political economy, and so is finance, and
a new member of Congress, who has not
been schooled in these things, is a mere
child in the halls of legislation, mere
plaything in the hands of experienced,
skilled, and adroit legislators.
Legislation cannot be learned by theo-
rizing. Actual experience is needed to
give power. Frequent changes, therefore,
are not desirable. If the people would
be felt through their representatives, they
must keep them in service. The intiu-
ence of a new member of Congress for
term or two, even admitting that he has
fair natural abilities and handsome gen.
eraI acquirement, would scarcely be felt.
He has everything, in his new sphere of
activity, to learn-and having learned it,
and increased in usefulness, and thus
having become power, a constituency IS
unwise to make change for light and
trivial causes. The people are not just to
themselves when they suffer themselves
to be sWayed by mere personal partiality,
and local considerations. The question
is, who can serve US best and most eff
GENTLY in the crisis in which we now lind
ourselves? That question well answered,
that man found, he is the man to be the
agent, the representative OF the people.
We do not claim that Gen. Garfield is
the ablest, or the most learned man in
the 18th Congressional District. That
might seem inVidious. But while we
claim, Justly, as we believe, that he is a
gentleman of great ability, and extensive
requirements, we cheerfully admit, that
there are many other gentlemen IN the
District of great ability and learning,
il? He did not. True to his convic-
tions of duty, true to his loyalty and love
of country he did that which he thought
was necessary to avert the impending
ruin, trusting to time to do justice to his
motives and his action. The country
was saved, and though the draft, for the
time, bore heavily, and was not joyous
but grievous, yet as it served to work out
the fruits of victory and final triumph,
all should, and all fair minded men will
rejoice in the intelligent fidelity of those
who thrusting self and selfshness aside,
were courageous enough to do their duty |
to their God and country and abide the
result. Such men can be trusted. And |
the cavaliers will find, that the people,
rejoicing in their Government, Union |
and Nation saved from disruption, will
honor and confde in those whose fdel-
ity and brave devotion in the field, in the