The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-09-29
RARBLINa OF dREaN Fields:


J 81. Louis Globe Democrat: There is
something inexpressfbfy affecting in
the record of the Presidents observa-
tlons while passing through the Valley
of the Shadow, in sound of the lone
some river that must be crossed without
guide or company. His most eloquent
speeches never touched the popular
heart like these casual and simple words
of great man waiting for death. In
all history there has been nothing
more pathetic than his patient, un-
selfish and trust.ul cndurances of pain
and the slow, creeping menace of dis
solution. His thoughtful messages TO
his poor old mother, his tender regard
for his overwearicd and watching wife,
his longing after home and the skies of
his boyhood, are things that eclipse all
the grandeur Of place and power and
send thrill of sympathy and tears
through all human nature. "EveFy death
bed has in il the fifth act of a tragedy"
says Carlyle; but not every ruler OF men
- has met the last decisive summons
with so much of that untheatrical and
authentic forgetfulness of rank which
makes the scene personal grief in ev-
cry household.
The most touching point of all in this
sad record is the sufferers worn aud
& broken talk about the old farm at Men
tor. 1t Is impossible to resist the puthos
OF his pleading to be sent back home.
His exalted position and surroundings
are but as playthings and mockeries
when he thinks of the peace and sweet
content which lay about him in The still
Ohio meadow. aud under the
cool, biFd-hauaied trees, and
on the porch where the honey
suckles clambcred and the morning glo-
ries told their old fashioned story. "And
u babbled of green fields" is the Stygian
echo that Shakespeare puts into the
mouth of Dame Quickly. II saw him
tumble with the sheets, and play with
flowers, and smile upon his fingers ends;
! knew there was but one way" Alas,
when such signs come, the physician
may be dismissed; the grim ferryman
Is at the shore. $50, "a bade me lay
more clothes ON his feet; put my hand
into the bed, and felt them, and they
were as cold as any stone" And so our
stricken President elapses out into the
undiscovered c0untry-not like Cesar,
wrapping his face in u mantle that no
Que may see him die, hut as a plain
brother of his kind, yearning for the
sunlight and babbling of green fields.
II is mostly thus. The approach of
death, like the coming of age, makes
us children again; and life is rounded
with little sleep, which is asked to
give Oblivion, and throws in dream.
II has been wisely ordained that the
things which have most vexed and
fatigued US in this world shall plague
US no longer when the end draws nigh.
The whips and scornes of fortune, the
empty distinctions of office, even the
triumphs that bring universal fame, are
of no further concern when the time
comes to sweep our toys into the box
"hlack box with silver nails;" and the
heart, thrown back upon itself, takes
refuge in memories of scenes and
periods that give delight, because the
earth was young TO us and care
stranger. There is that within us which
doth feelingly remind us what we are
when we are soon to be no more. The
shadow Of aeath turns time backward
across the intervening years of doubt
Nod struggle, and shows us the daisied
banks, the dove of peace. Our loyalty
10 nature, and our affinity
for her tranquil and sincere infiu-
ences, may be put in allegiance while the
stern battle OF life Is being fought, but
when the order comes for final muster
out, truth reasserts itself and the soul
leans upon home and mother and the
old familiar impressions. So we leave
the world thinking of IL at ITS best,
which is but saying the side Of il that
lies nearest to heaven.
Shall we not also believe that this
presages another chance for US beyond
the graveg Il seems an abuse of reason
and of feeling to think that life like
. that % President Garfield-so rich in
worth and honor, and yet so baked of
It's true fruitage-shall have no oppor.
tunity TO redeem itself from this cruel
2 fHllars In some other and kinder sphere.
The unfinished window of Aladdin,s