Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1880-01-23
Ohio,s New sen1a1tl.or. s11.tl.,

'' Ohio's New Senator.
Gen. Garheld's unanimous nominina-
ton, and subsequent election to the Q. S.
Senate, by the Chic Legislature, was a
well-merited tribute to one f0tbe greatest
and most deservedly popular statesman,
Sfwhich our country can boast. During
s long service. in public life, he has been
one ofthe most faithful, as well as one of
the really great men of the party to which
he belongs. He represents that type of
political integrity and wisdom always to
be relied upon; true to the best interests
of the country; quick to discern; an able
advocate in the cause Of justice and the
right man of great resources, and of un-
exceptional purity. The House of Repre-
sentatives viii lose its acknowledged lead
er, and the Senate gains one Of the strong
est men in the Republican party. II
would be hard 10 find a better illustration
Of the facility with which, under our Re
publican government, man Of genius
and integrity may rise from obscurity, to
the most exalted station, than is afforded
in the life of Senator Garfield. Thrown
upon his own resources, at an early age
without dollar in his pocket, he fearful
ly turned his back on the old plow, and
the older homestead, determined to rise
from an humble, though honorable and
honest condition, to the highest position
in the gift of the people; and by an un-
finchi1g adherence to the principles of
right, justice, and freedom, to win for
himself name that any man might covet.
Hon J.. A Garfield was born on the 10Th
of November, 1881, in the village of
Orange, Cuyahogs county, Ohio. His
father died in the second year of his age,
and from that time until he was old
enough to render some assistance on the
farm, he was dependent on his older BROTH
ers for his support, and for such limited
school advantages as the place afforded.
At the age of II he attended the ''Geauga
Seminary" where he remained part Of
the time, for nearly 8 years; supporting
himself by teaching school in the winter,
and doing such odd Jobs as he could get
outside of study hours. In 1854 he was
enabled through habits of industry and
economy, and with the assistance Of
friends to enter Williams Colleges y grad
uating with the highest honors, at the end
Of two years. Returning home he was
employed as a teacher of Latin and Greek
in the aHiram Eclectic Institute - and in
one year was made President Of the Insti-
tute. In 1859 he was elected by the anti
slavery party, to the State Senate. He
soon took high rank in the legislature, as
a man of superior abilities, and of the
strictest integrity.
At the breaking out Of the rebellion
Garfeld's course was manly and out
spoken, He denounced the perpetrators
of the infamous plot, as rebels and to
his thrilling eloquence, and earnest ap-
peals to the patriotism of the people, the
country is largely indebted for the noble
manner in which Ohio responded to the
Presidents cali for troops at the com
mencement of the war. On the 14th of
August 1861, he was appointed by Gov
emm Dennison, Lieutenant Colonel of the
42nd Ohio volunteers, and in five weeks.
time was promoted to the colonelcy. On
the 18th of December, 1851, three days
after, he arrived with his regiment il Ken
lucky, he was assigned by General Buell.,
commanding the department of the Ohio,
to the command of a brigade, and ordered
to drive the rebels under Humphrey Mar
shall, out Of the Sandy Valley. This was
accomplished so satisfactorily that he was
highly cOmplimented in General orders.
Subsequently General Garfield was ap-
pointed Chief of Staff to General Rose
Grams; in which capacity he served with
marked ability till December 8, 1868,
when he resigned, after nearly three years
service, to take the seat in Congress to
which he had been elected, without any
solicitation on his part, nearly year pre-
vious. While in Washington, prior to
his resignation in the army be learned
that he had been promoted 10 a major
generalship Of volunteers, for gallant con-
duct at the battle of Chickamauga. From
the time of his reply to Alexander Longs
ultra Peace Democratic speech, fayoring
therecognition of the Southern Confedera-
cy. soon after taking his seat in Congress,
General Garfield has been an acknowledg-
ed leader. He is now serving his 9th con-
secutive term, and such is his hold on the
hearts Of his constituents, that nothing
but well merited promotion in their ser
vice could induce them to give him up.
No man ever represented in Congress a
more intelligent constituency than does
General Garfield, and no man ever posses
sed in a higher degree the confidence, ad-
miration and affection OF his constituents.
In proof of this need only to refer to his
long service in the house, and to the fact
that he was the unanimous choice of his
District for a higher and more honorable
position. While Republicans generally
respect him for his fine abilities, and stall
Wart Republicanism, the people Of the 18th
District admire him for his virtues and