Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-10
From the Cincinnati Gazette
GARFIELD'S POWER.
THRILLING INCIDENT IN NEW YORK.

The following "Reminiscences of General
Garfelds power during the greatest crisis
the country ever passed through. has been
furnished us by distinguished gentleman
who was present. and shows the intellec-
tual and moral power of the republican
nominee for the Presidency over s. surg
ing and maddened crowd
Il shall never forget the first time saw
General Garfield 1t was the norning
after President Lincoln's assassination.
The country was excited to its utmost ten
sion. and New York city seemed ready
for the scenes of the French Revolution.
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 VS. ON every
ones tongue Fear took possession of
mems minds as to the fate of the Govern
ment, for in 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. Pos
ters were stuck up everywhere, in great
black letters. calling upon the loyal citi-
zens OF New York. Brooklyn, Jersey City
and neghborng places. to meet around
the Wall Street Exchange and give ex-
preston to their sentiments II was u
dark and terrible hour What might come
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 Lincolns friends,
ready at the first opportunity to take the
law into their own hands and avenge the
death of the martyred President upon any
and all who dared to utter word against
him.
ELEVEN O'Clock. A. NJ, was the hour
set for the rendezvous. Fifty thousand
people crowded around the Exchange
Building, examining and jamming the
streets, and wedged in as tight as men
could stand together. With few TO
whom special favor was extended. |
went over from Brooklyn. at 9 A. NJ,
and. even then. with the utmost difficulty,
found way tc 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. it was announced,
had started from Washington and was
either already in the city, or expected
every moment. Nearly hundred gen.
erals. judges, statesmen, lawyers. editors.
clergymen, and others. were in that room
waiting for Buffers arrival. We stepped
out to the balcony 10 watch the fearfully
solemn and swaying mass of people. Not
hurrah was heard. but for the most part
dead silence. or deep, ominous mutter-
ing ran like rising wave up the street
toward Broadway. and again down toward
the river on the right.
AT length the batons of the police were
seen swinging in the air, far up on the
left. parting the crowd and pressing II
back to make way for a carriage that
moved slowly and with difficult jogs,
| through the compact multitude. Sudden
| lv the silence was broken. and the cry Of
Butler Butler. Butler,' rang out with
tremendous and thrilling effect, and was
| taken up bv the people. But not n hur-
rah Not once! 1t was the cry of a great
people. asking 10 know how their Presi-
dent died The blood bounded in their
veins, and the tears ran like streams down
our faces How it was done forget. but
Butler was pulled through, and pulled up,
and entered the room. where we had just
walked back to meet him. A broad Grape.
la ward long, hung from his left arm--terri-
BILE contrast with the countless flags
waving the nations victory in the breeze.
We first realized then the truth of the sad
news that Lincoln was dead. When But
Ter entered the room we shook hands.
Some spoke. some couldn't. All were in
tears. The only word Butler had for us
all at the first break of the silence was :
! Gentlemen. he died in the fullness of his
fame,' and as he spoke it his lips guiv-
cred. and the tears ran fast down his
i cheeks.
| 'Then, after a few moments. came the
speaking. And you can imagine the effect
as the Grape futtered in the wind, while
his arm was 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 mos5 We
hement manner, and next thing to bidding
the crowd burn up the rebel seed, root
and branch while bystander held on to
his coat tails to keep him from falling
over. By this time the wave Of popular
Indignation had swelled to its crest. Two
men lay bleeding on one of the side
streets, the one dead. the other next to
dying; one on the pavement, the other in
the gutter. They had said a moment be-
fore that Lincoln ought to have been shot
long ago! They were not allowed to say
it again. Soon two long pieces of scant-
ling stood out above the heads Of the
crowd, crossed ut the top ike the letter X,
and looped halter pendent from the
rContiuued on fourth mage