National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-27
FORTY YEARS AGO,
The Dead Presidents OF 1871 aud 1851
GARFIELD and Harrison.

More than forty years have elapsed
since President Harrison died, within one month
aflor his Inauguration. lie was the first Chief
Magistrate to die during his oficalterm. In look
Ing over a sorap-book, in which are preserved
chapters Of history covering a period Of nearly
half century, the eye fell upon the following
lating 10 the death Of President William Henry
Harrison, the reproduction Of which may be Of in.
torest TO the readerso Of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,
as a remnisccnco Of n period Of national grief
kindred TO that Of the present hour, in which the
American people are In profound sorrow The fol.
lowing is the official announcement Of the Nations
bereavement forty years ngo
CRY or WASHINGTON April 4, 1871.
An All.Wisc Providence having suddenly re-
moved from this life William Henry Harrison, late
President Of tho United States. We have thought II
our duty in the recess of Congress, and In the ahs
sence OF the Vice President from the seat of goT.
ernmeut to mako this bereavement known TO tho
country by the declaration under our hands.
He died mt the Presidents House, In this
city, on the 9TH day of April, Ammo Domini lSi, at
thirty minutes before ono o'clock IN the morning.
The people. Of the United States overwhelmed,
and so melancholy, will derive consolation from
knowing that hs death was calm and resigned, as
guished and that the last utterance of his lips
expressed fcrvcnt desire for the pcrpouity ofthc
Constitution and preservation ofits true principles.
In ucnth as i'll life the happiness Of his country was
DANIEL WEBSTER,
Secretary OF state.
THOMAS EWING,
Secretary Of the Treasury.
JOHN BELL,
Secretary of War
FRANCIS GRANGER,
Postmaster General
The Inst utterance of the lips Of President Har-
rison, alluded to above, was made TO Dr. Worthing
ton, ms follows:
SIR wish you TO understand the true princl-
pies OF the Government. wish them carried out.
] ask nothing more.
John Tyler was then declared President Of these
United States by virtue of the Constitution. on
the 9Th Of April. 1871, there appeared in the New
York Express the following from the vigorous aud
ornate pom OF Ann s. Stephens, which, with n
very few changes Of terms, will apply admirably
to the late President Garfield, who has just de-
parted this life, and to his bereavcd widow, with
out the slightest change for the purpose of adap-
tation:
Death Death stitch II the Capitol Ills sable wing
flung its black shadow o'Cr country'S hope,
And 10 nation bondeth down IN tears.
a few short weeks and nl was jubilee;
ThS future Ms r e' OF nronsc Mi n"Sy gGoS smiles
Beamed on each frocmans face and lighted mp
Ihc gentle eye Ofhcauty.
The Hero came-a noble, good old man
strong In the wealth Of his high purpose.
Ago sat upon him with gentle grace,
Giving unto his manhood dignity.
As pictures owe their mellow huos 10 time.
,,o He s'9od i before the people Thers had been
To answer their hphUSt.
Thousands had gathered round the marble dome,
Silent and mutiOnlcss In their deep reverence,
Save when there glished the heaVing thTub
And low tuinultuOus breath of patriot hearts,
surcharged with grateful 10y. The mighty dead
Bent gently DER him with their spirit wings,
AS solemnly he took q earthly state,
which hung It's purple uCr his path TO Heaven.
The oath VIA said aud then ono mighty pulse
Secm'd thrObbing through the multitude.
Faces were llgcd upward, and prayer
OF deep thanksgiving wing'd that vow to Heaven.
IN Heaven the hero answered IL,
Time slept on flowers and lent his glass to Hope.
One little month his golden sands had sped,
When. milg,ing with the music OF our Joy,
Arose aud swC'd II low funeral strninf
so sad and mpurnful that n Nation heard,
And tremblcd us she wept
Darkness II DER tho land;
For 10 4! u death flag streams upon the breeze,
The hero hath departed.
Nay, let us wccpi our grief hath need OF tears
Tears should embalm the dead and there Is one,
a gentle woman, with her clinging love,
Who wrung her heart that she might give him up
10 his high destiny. Tears for her
She fingers yet among her household gods
Aud khOweth not how low her heart Is laid
From battle-iields, where strife was fercey waged,
And human blOOd-drOps fell u crimson rain.
He had returned to her God help thee. ladyl
Look not for him now
ThrOn'd In q Nations love, he sank to sleep,
And so awOkc In heaven,