Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-30

what more could human ambition desire
A few days since, rs his lifeless form lay in
state In the vast rotunda Of the Capitol while
tho thronging thousands bowed before II in
reverence felt that alas the most glorious
path, rs well as tho humblest, leads but 10 the
grave.
Socrates was forced by his enemies TO
drink the poisoned cup; Cicero was hunted
down and murdered by the emissaries OF the
dominant factions but death came to the
Grecian philosopher and tho Roman orator
as the common and natural result of the bar
barism of those days, and IL came in the
evening of their lives, when their life work
was nearly accomplished. But we live in
bettor age and a better country, and II is
hard for us to be reconciled TO the fact that
our President should fall in the full flood Of
his years, in the noontide splendor of his
powers, and by a miserable assassin. Friends,
let us not REBEL Let us remember Gariield's
own words, spoken when Lincoln fell and
anarchy and ruin threatened the nation,
God reignsl" 1t is a mystery TO US now,
1t may not be solved in this world. "For my
thoughts are not your thoughts neither are
your ways my ways, saith the Lord" Let
us trust in Him.
And can tho nation derive no good from
this affection Yes already every house,
hold in the land has been elevated and puri-
fed by tho example which has boon set be-
fore them. Even now there rises above the
darkness, like a beautiful monument, the
memory of the Presidents devotion TO his
mother, the loyal affection that existed be-
tween him and his wife, and the heroic pa
thence and courage they all manifested during
that terrible ordeal Aud more than this /;
from all over tho South come unmistakable
tokens of sincere sorrow. Mon, who differed
widely from the Presidents political views,
come from far distant Southern states to at
tend the sad rites and follow his remains to
their last resting place England sorrows as
for her own son, and clasps hands with Am
erica across the waters, in fraternal sympathy
and affection. The hearts Of oil men are
softenod to-day, and drawn together 10y this
common grief, and bound together by n new
bond Of brotherhood
One lesson, aud close The great dan
gers to which as II people we are exposed lie
| in the mania for political Office which has seiz.
ed men, and in the modern tendency to dis
belief in God. say this not as Il religion
| lit, but rs n man of the world apprehensive OF
| a grave danger. Let us initiate Gartield's pat
rotic devotion TO his country and her highest
interests. Let us be guided by that sublime
| Christian spirit which guided him through all
his struggles and all his grand achievements,
from his boyhood to his grave, and which sus-
| tanned MN III MS Gays OF trlDulauon ana an
| guish. Then, indeed, his life and death will
not have been in vain.
Nothing could be more touching or better
illustrative of the childlike simplicity Of the
man than his question, in his last hours, to
| his faithful friend and attendant: do you
think my name will have place in history y
Ready and beautiful was the answer Eyes,
in history, and forever in the hearts Of your
countrymen."
May say one word for the living? Presi-
| dent Arthur is a native of our dear old Green
Mountain State. He has filled with fidelity
and honor every position to which he has
been called. He is able, and believe deter
mined, to give the nation a wise and success
full administration. His position is a trying
one. Let us give him our cordial and hearty
support. Let us prove again to the world
the strength aud greatness Of the Republic.