The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-06-27
GAaFrELDs ELoqUExcE-
"Reminiscences. OF his Great Power
and AblIity.


Cincinnati 0aEette.
The following "reminiscences OF Gen.
Garield's power during the greatest
crisis the country eve saw has been
furnished us by n distinguished gentle
man who was present. and shows the
intellectual and moral power Of the re-
publican nominee for the presidency
over q surging and maddened crowd;
~ shall never forget the first time !
saw Gen. Garfield. II was the morning
after President Lincoln's assassination
The country was excited TO Its utmost
tension, and New York city seemed
ready for the scenes Of the French rev.
olution. The intelligence Of Lincoln's
murder had been flashed by the wires
over the whole land. The newspaper
headlines OF the transaction were set
up in the largest type, and the high
crime was on e~veryone's tongue. Fear
took possession OF mems minds as to
the fate OF the government, for In n few
hours the news came on that Stewards
throat was cut, and that attempts had
been made upon 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 ex-
preston 10 their sentiments.
SIT was q dark and terrible hour.
What might come next, nc n could
tell, and men spoke with bated breath.
The wrath OF the workingmen was sim
ply uncomfortable, and revolvers and
knives were In the hands OF thousands
Of Lincoln's friends, ready, ut the first
opportunity, to take the law into their
W hands, and avenge the death Of
the martyred president upon any and
all who dared TO utter n word against
him. Eleven O'Clock n. IN. was the
hour set for the rendezvous. Fifty
thousand people crowded around the
exchange building, examining and jam.
ming the streets, and wedged in tight
as men could stand together. With a
few to whom a special favor was ex-
tended, I went over from brooklyn at
8 a. m, and v e then with the utmost
difficulty found my way 10 the recep-
ton room for the speakers In front Of
the exchange building, and looking out
on to the high and massive balcony,
whose front was protected by q heavy
iron railing. We sat in solemnity and
silence, waiting for Gen. Butler, who,
II was announced, had started from
Washington, and was either already in
the city, or expected every moment.
Nearly n hundred generals, judges,
statesmen, lawyers, editors, clergymen
and others were in that DON awaiting
Buffers arrival. We stepped out to
the balcony TO watch the fearfully SOL
m and swaying mass of people. Not
a hurrah wa heard, but for the most
part dead silence, or n deep, ominous
muttering ran like n rising wave up the
street toward Broadway, and again
down toward the river on the right. At
length the batons Of the police were
9 swinging In the air. far up on the
left, parting the crowd and pressing 1t
back TO make room for n carriage that
moved slowly, and with difficult joys,
through the compact multitude.
= ".Suddenly the silence was broken.
and the cry Of sButlerl' .Butler!' rang
out with thrilling effect, and was taken
up by the people. But not a hurrah!
Not oncel 1t wss the cry OF a great
people. asking to know how their presi-
dent died. The blood bounded in our
veins, and the tears ran like streams
down our faces. How 1t was done, I
forget, but Butler was pulled through
and pulled up. and entered the room.
A broad Grape, u yard long, hung from
his left arm terrible contrast with the
countless flags that were waving the
nations victory in the breeze When
Butler entered we shook hands. Some
spoke, some couldn't. All were in
ecaAo. Auo July Wotu buticT ntu IOT
US all, at the first break OF the silence,
RAJ Gentlemen. he died in the full
ness Of his famel' and rs lie spoke his
lips quivered and tears ran down his
cheeks.
Then, after a few moments came
the speaking. And you n imagine
the effect. as the Grape suffered in the
wind, while his arm vas uplifted.
Dickinson, Of New York state, was
fairly wild. The old man leaped over
the iron railing Of the balcony and
stood on the very edge, overhanging
the crowd, gesticulating in the most
vehement manner, and next thing to
bidding the crowd burn up the rebel
seed root and branch while q bystand-
or held on to his coattails to keep him
from falling over.
by this time the rave Of popular