The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-07-21
GAREELD's P0 WEIR.
HIS WONDERFUL ELoouENcE AND MAGNET
IsM-A THRILLING INCIDENT IN REV
YORK crTY--How HE PREVENTED THE DE-
sTRucTIoN OF PROPERTY
[From the Cincinnati Casells.l

The following "reminiscences of General Gar
fields power during the greatest crisis the
country ever passed through, has been furnish
ed us by distinguished gentleman who was
present, and shows the intellectual and moral
power of the Republican nominee for the
Presidency over a surging and maddened
crowd
I" l shall never forget the first time I saw
General Garfield. 1t was the morning after
President Lincofn's assassination. The
country was excited to it's utmost tension,
and New York city seemed ready for the
scenes of the French Revolution. The INTEL
ligence of Lincoln's murder had been flashed
by the wires over the whole land The news
paper head lines OF the transaction were set
up In the largest type, and the high crime
was on every tongue. Fear took possession
of mems minds as to the fate of the govern
ment, for 10 few hours the news came on
that Stewards throat was cut and that at
tempts had been made on the lives Of others
Of the government officers. Posters were
stuck up everywhere, in great black letters,
calling upon the loyal citizens of New York,
Brooklyn, Jersey City and neighboring places,
to meet around the Wall Street Exchange and
give expression to their sentiments. 1t was q
dark and terrible hour. What might como
next no one could tell and men spoke with
bated breath. The wrath Of the workingmen
was simply uncomfortable, and revolvers and
knives were in the hands OF thousands Of
Lincofn's friends, ready at the first opportun-
ity to take the law into their own hands and
avenge the death of the martyred Presi-
dent upon any and all who dared utter word
against him.
"Eleven O'Clock, d m. was che honr set foi
the rendezvous. Fifty thousand people
crowded around the Exchange Building,
examining and tanning the streets, and
wedging in as tight as men could stand to-
gether. With few to whom special favor
was extended, ] went over from Brooklyn, at
Q o. M, and even then, with the utmost diff
Guilty, found way to the reception room for
the speakers in the front of the Exchange
Building, and looking out upon the high and
massive balcony, whose front was protected
by heavy iron railing. We sat In solemnity
and silence, waiting for General Butler, who,
1t was announced, had started from Washing
ton and was either already In the city, or ex-
pected every moment. Nearly hundred
generals. judges, statesmen, lawyers, editors,
clergymen and others were in that room wait
| ing Buffers arrival. We stepped out to the
balcony to watch the fearfully solemn and
swaying mass Of people. Not hurrah wa,
heard, but for the most part dead silence, or {
deep, cminous mutteripg ran like rising
wave up the street toward Broadway, ant
again down toward the river on the right.
"At length the batons OF the police wer,
seen swinging in the air, far up on the left
parting the crowd and pressing it back ;.
mako way for carriage that moved slowl,
and with difficult joys, through the compac
multitude. Suddenly the silence was broken
and the cry Of Butler Butler Butler
rang out with tremendous and thrilling e1sot
and was taken up BY tho people. But not |
hurrah Not once II was the cry Of I
great people, asking TO know how their Psesi
dent died. The blood bounded In our vein
aud the tears ran like streams down our faces
How II was done forget. but Butler wa
pulled through, and pulled up, and entered
the room, where we had just walked back Il
meet him. A broad Grape, a yard long, huui
from his left arm--terrible contrast with tb
countless flags that were waving the nation
victory in the breeze. We frst realized tbel
the truth OF tho sad news that Lincoln wa
dead. When Butler entered the room WI
shook hands. Some spoke, some couldn't
All were in tears. The only word Butler hat
for us all at the first break of the silence was
Gentlemen, he died in the fnllness Of hi
fame !, and as he spoke it his lips quivered
and the tears ran fast down his cheeks.
"Then, after few moments, camo tn
speaking. And you can imagine the effect, a
J the Grape futtered in the wind, while hia arm