Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-09-22

Afterward Garfield was assigned to the
command of the seventh brigade, con-
sisting of four regiments ofinfantry and
eight companies OF cavalry, which
force was TO operate against the rebel
General Humphrey MARSHALL.
This command, after Sc
ries of skirmishes and great deal of
marching, engaged the enemy in battle
at Prestonburg, January 9Th, 1862;
the contest was short and severe, but
resulted in a victory for the union
forces. which left the union arms in
possession OF the whole of Kentucky.
The rebel loss is given at $50, while
that of the union forces was only 30.
This battle gave Gen. Garfield promo
ton, and his commission as a brigadier
general of volunteers dates from the
battle Of Prestonburg. Gen. Garfield
continued in the army Of the west, and
took part in the battle of Chicka-
manga, and for his conduct in that
battle was made a major general of
volunteers. He was at that time can
didate for congress, having been nomi-
mated by the republicans of the 10Th
Ohio district. At the election he was
elected and on the 9Th of December,
1868, he left the army and entered
congress. He was placed on the COM
mittee on military affairs. For seven
teen years he remained in congress,
having been nine times elected by the
people of his congressional district.
His congressional life was one of prom
inence after short time and for sew
eral of the last years he was the leader
of his party in the house. On the 18th
of January, 1880, Gen. Garfield was
elected to the United States senate by
the legislature of the state of Ohio to
succeed Allen G.. Thurman. On the
evening of that day he addressed
meeting of welcome at Columbus,
Ohio. This speech abounds in fine pas
sages, and so fully illustrates many fea-
lures of Garfeld's character that it is
published herewith. 1t is as follows:
FELLOW CrrizESs: | should be great deal
more than a manor great deal less than a
man If | were not extremely gratihed by this
mark of your kindness, and the kindness you have
shown me in recent days | did not expect any
such meeting as this | knew there was greet
ing awaiting me, but did not expect so cordial,
generous and general greeting without dis
tinction OF party without distinction of interest -
as / have received here to night; and you will 81
low me, IN a moment or two, to speak OF the
memories this chamber awakens. Twenty years
ago this week first came into this chamber and
entered upon the duties of public life, in which
| have been every hour since that time, in some
capacity or other. | left this chamber eighteen
years ago and believe | have never entered it
since that time 1t was here in this chamber
that word was first brought of the
FIRING on FORT SUMTER.
| remember distinctly gentleman from Lancas
ter the late Senator Schleigh--General Schleigh
who died not very long ago; | remember dis
tinctly as he came down this aisle, with all the
look Of anxiety and agony in his face. informing
me that guns had opened upon Sumpter. Ire
member that a week after that time, on motion
of leading democratic senator, VINO occupied a
seat not far from that position (polnting to the
democratic side of the chamber that we surren-
dered this chamber to several companies OF sol
diers who had come to Columbus to tender their
services to the imperilled government. They
slept on this carpet and on these sofas, and quar-
tered for two or three nights in this chamber,
while waiting for other quarters outside the capt.
to. Here, where we had been fighting our polit-
ical battles with sharp and severe craftsmanship,
there disappeared almost as if by magic, all party
lines and from both sides of the chamber men
went out to take their place on the field of battle
seats, where men afterward became distinguished
in the service, in high rauk, and noby served
their constituencies and honored themselves. we
now come to this place while so many are gone,
but we meet here tonight, with war so tar back
in the distance that it is almost half forgotten
memory. We meet here tonight, with
NATION REDEEMED.
We meet here tonight under the flag that we
fought for We meet with IA glorious n great
81. ia Ia pfara nd tnnr
glorious by the sacrifices through which the coun-
try has passed; and coming here, as do tonight,
brings the two ends OF twenty years together,
with all the visions of the terrible and glorious,
the touching and cheerful, that have occurred dur
ing that time | come here, moreover, fell
low citizens to thank the general assembly for the
great act of confidence and compliment to me.
do not underalue the great office that you have
rendered me yesterday and to-day. But ] say
without, | think, any mental reservation, that
the manner in which it was rendered me, is far
higher to me, far more admirable, than the thing
itself That it has been the voluntary gift OF the
general assembly of Ohio without sOhcitude,
rendered to me because of their confidence, is as
touching and high tribute as one can possibly
receive from his fellow citizens, and, IN the name
of all my friends for myself, | give you my
thanks. | recognize the Importance OF the place
to which you have elected me, and | should be
base if | did not also recognize the great man
whom you have elected me to succeed. | say
for him that Ohio has had few larger minded,
broader minded men in the record Of her history
than that of a q. Thurman. [Applause.l Diff
fering widely from him. as | have done, in poll
ties, yet do | recognize him as n man high in
character and great in intellect, and ! take this
occasion TO refer to what | have never before re-
ferred to in public; that many years ago,
~ THE STORM or PARTY FIGHTING,
when the air was filled with all sorts of missiles
aimed at the character and reputation of public
men, when il was even for his party interest to
join in the general elamor against me and my as
sociates, Sen. Thurman said in public in the cam
paign on the stump, where we are as likely to say
uuknd things as at any place in the world, against
each other, most generous and earnest word of
defense and kindness forme which shall never for
get 90 long as live. [Applause.l say, moreover,
that the flowers that bloom over the garden wall
of party politics are the sweetest and most fra
grant that bloom in the garlers of tins world
[applausel and where We can fairly pluck them
aud enjoy their fragrance it is manly and delight
tul to do so. And now, gentlemen of the general
assembly, without distinction of party, | reeog
nize this truth and compliment made to me to-
night. Whatever my own course in the future,
large share of the Inspiration of my future
public life will be drawn from this occasion and
these surroundings, and l shall feel anew the
sense of obligation that | owe to the state Of
Ohio Let me venture to point a single sentence