National Republican., 1880-07-21

side Of the military profession and the prob
lens IL has to deal with are necessarily
treated rs matters of only secondary moment.
have heard it said hundred times, by
men who had spent the best part of their
lives in the regular army, and then were
thrown upon their own resources to make
living in ordinary pursuits, that their army
life had untitled them for the every day tasks
Of society. They found themselves, in q multi
tudo Of cases uttorly bcwldered by the com.
petition they had to run with those who had
been trained in civil pursuits. How is 1t pos
sible 20 assume that men who have spent the
best part of their lives, who have grown old
in that exclusive atmosphere, should show
particular fitness for the most complex and
confusing Of all duties, tho highest civil Ollico
in the land2
" 1t may be said, therefore, without exagger-
alton, that in hundred cases to one, by
taking an old regular army officer, who has
never been anything else, and putting him
into the highest and most difficult political
position, yon may spoil an excellent general
in making poor president.
What have we, on the other hand, in the re-
| publican candidate? His youth was that of {,
poor boy. He lived by his daily labor. He
rose up from that estate gradually by his own
effort, taking with him the experience of pow
erty and hard work and living sympathy
| with the poor and hard working man. Ho
cultivated his mind by diligcnt study, aud he
stored it with useful knowledge. From a
| learner he became q teacher. When the re-
public called her sons to her defense he Joined
the army and achieved distinction in active
service rs one of the brave on the battlefield
He was called into tho great council of the
nation, and has sat there for nearly
twenty years. No great question was
discussed without his contributing the
store of his knowledge to the fund oI
information necessary for wise decision. His
speeches have ranked not only among the most
eloquent, but among the most Instructive and
useful. Scarcely u single great measure o
legislation was passed during that long period
without the imprint of his mind. No man in
congress has devoted more thorough inquiry
to larger number of important subjects
and formed upon them opinions more ma
tured and valuable He was not as great
n soldier as his competitor for ths
presidency, but he has made himself
and is universally recognized as what
a president ought to be, n statesman. lie
understands all phases of life, from the lowest
to tho highest for he has lived through thom
| lie understands the great problems of politics
| for ho has studied them and actively partici
pated in their discussion and solution. Few
men in this country would enter the presi
dental Office with its great duties and rcspon
sibilities better or even as well equipped witt
knowledge and experience. He need only b,
true to his record in order to become a wise
safe and successful president If tho peopl,
elect him ii will be only because his services
rendered in the past arc Just of that natur,
| which will give assurance of his ability to rem
der greater service in the future. The countr!
wants a statesman of ability, Knowledge, ex
perience and principle at the head of affairs
His conduct as legislator gives ample guar
antee OF great promise in all these things.
And for all these reasons, in my opinion
the Interests of the republic demand th
election of james A. Garfield to tho prosi
dency of tho United States"