The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-07-23
JAMES A. GARFIELD,
sis Ele the Man for President Of the
United States, and will Ige BE

SIS fle the Man for President Of the
United States, and will Iue BE
Being pastor in Chester, Geauga
county, Ohio, when he was a student
there, and familiar with the region he
has 30 ably represented these many
years, l feel compelled, though not u
politician, TO notice the above inquiry.
First-James A. Garfield is honest. In
his youth and early manhood he
was noted for his trIlstwOrthiness, con-
sldered incapable OF sordid action.
Such he continued to be, as he advanced
i'll years and came into public life. AS q
teacher in the common school, as presi-
dent of Hiram college, rs II member of
the Ohio Legislature, as IN officer in the
army, AMI as congressman, he has
proved himself u man of inflexible i'll
tegrity.
Second--He is capable. Endowed by
nature with IN intellect Of high order
and drilled in the curriculum of Williams
college, he is a scholar, man of liberal
education and extra culture. Fond of
investigation and devoted to books these
forty years, his stOret of knowledge are
diversified and extensive. The laws of
human progress, the history Of nations,
the rise and fall Of empires and the
affairs OF government have been his
study. A close reasoner, his range Of
thought and comparison is wide and
comprehensive.
Third-He is an earnest patriot. When
the country was in danger and the cry
for help struck his ear, his eloquence
and energy aroused multitudes. Presi-
dent Of Hiram college, he left the halls
of Minerva for the camp of Mars, ut the
head of the 42d regiment Ohio volun-
teers, marching to the front In council
and in battle, ut Piketon, Corinth, Pitts
burg Landing and Chickamanga, he
showed sagacity and courage. When
others flinched, he venturcd to pilot a
frail boat through storms and torrents,
for 36 hours, bearing supplies to his
starving soldiers. And when invited
home, he declined, feeling that his place
was on the tented field. Nominated
without his consent, and elected to con-
gress, he continued with the army some
Is months, then reluctantly hastened to
take his seat in Washington.
Fourth-He is statesman. In the
Legislature of Ohio in go and 81, and in
congress from 'G3 to 80, he has had
great opportunities of observation, and
turned them to good account. Chairman
of military affairs and on ways and
means, his honesty and ability were con-
coded by all. As an orator his learning
and eloquence were ready, and as gen
tleman and philanthropist his very pres
cnce benediction.
Fifth-He loves the American Union,
and his rebukes of secession and treason
have been as n Damascus blade, yet in
such graceful terms that the most cap
tious can hardly be offended.
SiXth-He is Il born leader. In his
boyhood, and early manhood, multi
tudes followed him as by intuition. 1t
was the control which true and noble
mind always excrts. In his cOngression-
al district he was the worthy successor of
Joshua II. Geddings, and has been elect
ed nine times, over Democrats, and Lib
erals, and Greenbackers, standing, by
genuine merit, sound to the core, no an
tifice, no jobbery. His sincerity and
ability, patriotism aud wisdom shining
year after year like Drummond light,
triumphing by real force of character, he
is now senator elect to take his place in
March, 1881, but for his call to the White
House.
Seventh He is n pattern of fidelity
as we have seen. AS student, with
his own hands working his way up, he
mastered every lesson from the first
reader to Buffers Analogy; from the
multiplication table to comic sections;
from the simplest rehearsal to the
orations Of Demosthenes. There was
no superficial work in his foundation,
and there is none in the superstructure.
His career in the public service has been
in the same line, every duty performed
faithfully.
Eighth-He is ready for any emer-
gency. Not only mt Piketon and Chick
amauga could he save the day, but in
the highest commotion of the Chicago
convention, when to speak seemed like
sowing seed on an ocean of FIRE, III that
tempest, he could arrest and command
attention, and by his calm suggestions,
magnanimous and conciliatory, quiet
and harmonize the anxious multitude.
Ninth--He is prompt, even i'll the midst
of imperative calls answering the letters
of strangers, by return mail. He does
not enjoy suspense and will not intlict it
upon others. This virtue, rare and hard
ly to be overrated, we admire in the cot
tage and in the palace. He gives twice
who gives promptly.
Tenth-He is O citizen and civilian,
with just military experience enough to
round out his education, and he knows
what to do in case of rebellion or inva-
sion. The country, sick of gunpowder,
demands statesman, n man learned i'll
science and the laws of nations, i'll lit
crature and the arts of peace, man of
sound Judgment and comprehensive
views, approaching the claims of justice
and humanity, protecting the white man
and the black man and the red man, Sc
curing to all, SO far as is in his power,
the inalienable rights of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. Gen. Grant
said nobly and the people say now "Let
us have peace" and to carry out this
specific policy, we want, not n pampered
aristocrat, petted and feasted all his life
Mt the expense of the government, but a
man emphatically in sympathy with all
classes of the people aud for the people,
rising and towering by his own genius
and industry, challenging the respect,
confidence, admiration and support of
the whole country. Such, the timely
gift of Providence, is James A. Garfield,
nominated in June, to be elected in No
vember, and to be inaugurated March
4th, 1881. MEAD HOLMES.
RocKFoRD, ILL.,, July Sd, 1880.