Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-10
James Abram Garfield.

An unpretending farm house a few miles
from Hiram, in Ohio on the line of the
Lake Shore railway, since the memorable
9Th Of June has been the Mecca of Amer
lean citizens. Statesmen, scholars, poll
ticians, clergy, and the representatives of
that actively aggressive element in America
in every field of effort which has contributed
80 powerfully to our national development
and progress, have thronged the lane that
leads up from the railway, and the now his
toric dooryard at Mentor has been pressed
by thousands of pilgrim feet which have
journeyed thither to greet the rising sun in
American politics. The prophet to whom
these thronging crowds have rendered the
homage of their hearts has spoken to them
rare words of wisdom. His utterances from
that farm house threshold have had in them
the sweetness of the country air, the bright
ness OF the country sunshine, the freshness
of the morning dew, the fragrance of sum-
mer flowers, with all the strength and vigor
of the sturdy oak. The powerful microscope
OF fierce and inscriptions political antag-
onism has been powerless to detect in his
speeches a single flaw. Their healthful
tone, their suggestive erudition, and the
marvellous felicity and richness of diction
with which the speaker says things worth
hearing and worth remembering betoken
the man of wisdom, of power, of elevated
thought and warm human sympathies,
which, united with his great qualities OF
craftsmanship and long experience in public
affairs, are a sure guarantee that the Amer.
lean people have chosen their chief ruler
wisely, and that their expectations of O
benefcent administration will not be disap
pointed. And yet this man, who has served
his country with rare fidelity and ability in
war and in peace, and whose integrity
purity of life and singleness of purpose are
as clear as the MONDAY sun, has been fol
months Indignantly assaulted for selfish ends
by large number of his fellow citizens
The most audacious calumnies, the most
outrageous falsehoods, and, at the last mo
ment, forgery-a transgression that stands
Sh'y O heuO ioWpi thah luuiucI III tue CTlm
inal code-has been invoked to destroy what
is more precious to man than his life-his
honor To Stay him in the eyes of tn,
American people on false and groundles'
charges was the last extremity to which 9
great political party, founded by jefferson
was reduced. But like the Roman Brutus
these lying accusations passed by him Xix,
the idle wind" He has passed the fer,
ordeal of a presidential campaign ant
emerged without the smell Of fire upon hi,
garments, The diamond purity of his char
acter has shone out the more brilliantly fol-
the fierce attrition to which it has been sub
iected. In this great contest in which ma
lgnant passions have been strongly aroused
in which each party summoned up it
mightiest energies and placed its stronges
and brayest men in the forefront of tn,
battle in defense of liberties and principles
which he himself had guarded with his life
and amid the storm of calumny with which
he has been assailed, in his physical stature
az well as in his moral characteristics ant
unrufied demeanor throughout the tryin,
contest, Garfield has seemed
As some tall Cliff that lifts iis awful form
swelu from the vale and midway leaves the storm,
Though round its base the rolling clouds are spread
Eternal sunshine settles his head"