The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-07-09
ROsEcRANs ON GARFIELD
p,,n, ,he San Frnncisco can

From the san -OHSiSSo SAil
Last evening a Cali reporter visited
General W. 8 RoSecrans, at his resi-
dcnce IN this city, and obtained from
him some Interesting facts concerning
the military career of the Republican
nominee. "Ycs," replied General Rose
crans in response To an inquiry from the
Calls representative, "Garfield was
member OF my military family during
the early part of the war. When he
came 10 my headquarters i must confess
that had prejudice against him, as |
understood he was preacher who had
gone into politics, and man of that
cast l was naturally opposed 20. He re-
manned at headquarters for couple OF
days, as wanted to become acquainted
with him before assigning hlm
10 duty. The more / saw of
him the better | liked him, and
| finally gave him his choice of a brig
| ade or TO become my chief of staff.
| Most men would have probably taken
| the brigade, but he decided to remain
with me. We were together until the
Chattanooga affair. l found him 10 be
a competent and efficient officer, an
earnest and devoted patriot, and man
of the highest honor. His views were
large, and he was possessed of a
thoroughly comprehensive mind. Late
in the summer of 1868 he came to me
one day and said that he had been asked
to accept the Republican nomination for
congress from the Ashtabula district,
and asked my advice as 10 whether he
ought 10 accept il, and whether he could
do so honorably. | replied that l not
only thought he could accept il with
honor, but that deemed ii to be his
duty 10 do so. The war is not yet over.
l said, nor will it be for some time to
come. There Will be many questions
arising in congress which re.
quirc not alone statesmanlike treat
ment, but the advice of men having an
acquaintance with military affairs will
f be needed; and for that and several other
reasons which | named. he would, /
believe, do equally as good service TO his
country i'll congress as in the field. II
was, too, great honor to him to be
nominated by the Ashtabula district
which had been represented in the house
by one man for u quarter of century
(Joshua X. Giddings); they were thor
r oughlY acquainted with him, and he was
in accord with their sentiments in poll
tics. Before the interview closed l said
to him: Garfield, | want to give you
r some advice. When you go To congress
be careful what you say. Don't talk too
f much; but when you do talk speak Il
the point. Be true to yourself, and yoU
| VIII llldht your marx ucIOre lne country
\ few years ago met him in Washing
p ton and said 10 him: We'll, Garfield, yoI
have got along pretty well following my
adVicc'9
Recurring To the nomination, Genera
Rosecrans said: Il consider Garfield
head and shoulders above any of tn
men named before the convention, ant
far superior To any of the political man
Il ayers upon the floor. He is a man will
broad views, and has always been cor
/. sistent Republican, and has clea
Il record. l cannot believe that James
n Garfield was ever guilty of dishones
act. AS the campaign advances, it wi
u be found, if il is not now acknowledged
n, that Garfield is hard man TO beat"