The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-07-15
TnE GARFIELD TEsIInONIAL,
An Open Letter ON the subject in
Answer 10 Inquiries,

NEw YoRK, July l4.-oyrus W. Fislc
has sent to the Associated Press the fol
lowing letter in answer to numerous in
quiries relative to the Garfield testimonial
No event sinC9 the assassination oil
President Lincoln has so moved the hearts
Of the American people a. the attempt 10
aGsassinAte President Garfield. It sent q
thrill Of surprise and horror throughout
the country, and thousands beyond the
sea testified their sympathy with US in
our National sorrow. Next to feeling for
the President himself, hanging between
lie and death, was that for his heroic wife,
who had just risen from the sick bed, and
now watched by his side, fearing every
hour to be left q widow and desolate.
So intense and universal was this
feeling that it naturally sought some
expression, and there waa no form
that itcould take.butthat oi "a provision for
the wife and children in the terrible loss
which seemed before them. It was the
spontaneous impulse OF two who desired
In this way to express their own personal
regard, but go quick was the response
from the public that lelters were soon re.
ceiyed asking II the movement would be
limited 10 this city or to the original sub,
ecribers, In answer 10 this 1t Ia enough
TO say that while those who frat put down
their names could only pledge themselves
they would be but too happy to be Joined
by others who are so disposed. SO far
from wishing to keep within small cir.
ole the number OF givers, they would be
very glad II contributions were from
sources 80 different and so widely apart as
TO give It the character Of q national sub.
sCriptlon,
As to the need or proprlsty Of such pro-
vision 1t Is thought BY some to be a re.
lection on the Government, which in the
event OF the Presidents death, would |
make ample provision for his family.
Unfortunately this presumption Ia met BY
one sorroWtul, not to say shameful rec
olleCtion. After the assassination Of
Lincoln his widow had to suffer the NOR.
tthcaton OF having her case discussed In
Congress, and In the papers, coupled with
paltry calculations al 10 how much or
rather how little the Nation ought to give
her, the whole ending with merely the al.
lowanCe oil the rest OF that one years
salary and the franking privilege. This
was all that Congress, which voted thirty
thousand dollars for Lincou's funeral
expenses, could give 10 the support oil his
widow. This small provision was soon
and five years after his death,
as II from very shame, Congress voted her
a pension OF $1,000 q year. Thus slowly
aud grudgingy did the Nation provide
for the widow Of tts martyred President,
II thil Ia the way the government reals
Ihs family OF the Chief Magistrate, who
has died in Its service, 1t iS we'll that ind.
YIdnaIs have public spirit TO come forward
10 save their country from such humila.
lion. In the present instance 1t Is The fer.
vent prayer oil oil who join in the testimo.
nial that their beloved President may be
spared 10 them, but bis case is etill very
critical and Ills recovery may not bs al.
sured for weeks 10 come, Whatever may
be the issue, the effort seems timely.
should he snlfer relapse and see himself
sinking slowly 10 the grave his last hours
would be Conaoled by the thought that
hose who were dearest to him we're pro.
Vided for without being left to the country
which has, once before, shown itself neg.
eCtlul II not ungrsteiul. On the other
hand, should he recover, he will be ami,
mated to new zeal to serve the country
which had remembered him In the hour
81 sorrow, aud anticipating evil, In caring
Ior him and bis.
Such are the motives which have led to
.he proposal. But as 1t Ia simply matter
u feeling OF course we do mot expeC.
hose who do not feel as we do tO join IL,
We trust nuns will be urged to subscribe
who would not feel 1t pleasure to do 80.
70 do q gracious and beautiful thing II
must be without constraint OF any kind.
Il will lose all lts grace II II were anything
slse than free will offering from the
hearts Of the American people. But 10
Iuch as would count it q privilege 10 have
some part in 1t the opportunity is given.
We shall be happy 10 receive ConLtibn.
lions from those Who appreciate the life
10 fearfully perillsd Ia the service OF hiS
'ountry, aud who appreciate also, womanly
and devotion.
SIgned:1 CYRUS W. FIELD.
The subscriptions 10 the fund now
ImOunt to $l35,0O0, and are In sums rang.
nH from s. to IS. 600,