The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-29
smoke and carnage. plucking laurels for

smoke and carnage. plucking laurels for
his brow, and trophies for his girdie.
Soon thereafter, standing in the high
councils OF his nation, he engages in the
more congenial gladiatorship of the in
tellect; and with the applause of a re
joicing constituency, he bears away the
civic wreaths of craftsmanship, won by
the sheer force OF his forensic genius and
power. About one year ago, he rises in
the zenith of national vision. a candidate
for the chief maSistracy of the republic.
The darkest clouds that party strife could
forge and emit. rolled upward from
the horizon toward him, but
Ike the limbs of the eternal sun,
the disc of his uame grew brighter aud
brighter between the advancing shadows
that approached it. only to fall backwards
and away into the seething hell of OBJ
livion from whence they had emerged.
At this juncture of his ascension, an cru
dite jurist and scholar, distinguished
writer and statesman, and political an
tagonist, did not hesitate to openly de-
clare and insist, on his faith and credit
as a man of honor aud truth THAT in
James A. Garfield there was no guile
He is elevated by the sutfrages of
sovereign and free people to the highest
pinnacle of authority and distinction
erected on this rolling earth, and the
world is invited to witness a scene of
filial and conjugal gratitude unparalleled
in the annals of history for its moral
beauty and sublimity. After deliver
ing an inaugural address replete with
ethical and political wisdom, equallng
the like productions of his immortal pre-
decessors in ornate finish and classic die
ton, he bends to the sacred forms of
mother and wife, and impressing upon
their lips the seal of his devotion, he thus
silently declares to the assemb. ed multi
tude-distinguished representatives of his
own and other cOuntries-''lt comes of
them. If in myself there is anything of
value or worth, to these two l owe 1t
ALL"
Exalted self-abnegation Wonderful
and most admirable concession and recOg-
milton more beautiful, and quite as i'm
pressive as that OF the avenging COriOlan-
us at the gates of his native Rome!
But death loves shining mark, and
this light was stricken by the hand of an
assassin. For days and nights, with til e
eyes and hearts of mankind fixed upon
it, it has wavered and f1uctuated. as If
lOathe to abandon the honOred casket of
clay in which it burned but finally 1t has
expired, leaving over all the darkness OF
| sadness, and the pail of profound and ir-
| resistible grief.
But we have said that he was also a
good man. Dwell momentarily on two of
| his statements touching the cause and
agency OF his sudden and untimeiy fate,
| while he languished on his bed of utter
pain and suffering. "What can / haze
| done to that man ?" Behold enquiry on
| pinions of wonder, penetrating the regions
| of his recollection in the hapless search
for provocatiOn, to find some apology. II
was the humility of his piety, bleeding in
| affliction. Again, D." If / am spare d, how
shall act, should that man claim of HE
his pardonp Mercy and benevOlence
| loved the empire of that soul, and even al
| such a time, would refuse the eXactions
! of reason and justice, and the breathing
vengeance of violated law. The struggle
| of the virtues produces NC analysis anG
cOmposure, and the wounded emotions OF
| his great and magnanimous heart mutfles
| further utterance.
As orator and statesman, as patriot and
| soldier, we honor and admire the lament.
ed dead; but as true and humble
Christian, we love and VIII cherish him
| as long as man kneeis to his Maker in the
name of Him of Bethlehem.
Ornaments of earthly glory fade with
the wearer, and lose their lustre in the
| public eye, but the jewel of the Christian
| faith the bright shekinah he wore in hi,
bosom is of imperishable virtue and ever
lasting brilliancy, deriving rs it does it,
divine etfulgence from the blazing angle.
| of the Eternal Cross.
| James A. Garfield has gone from the
habitations ofmen, to his enduring home
but most happy and consollng reelection
that must have been felt by him in his de
| parture, he left not before the meas
ure OF his greatness was completely
full. He fell a faithful sentinel al
| his pOst-a martyr to the dis
| charge of his duty,-a blessed mar
tyr to the dignity and liberty OF his cOun
try,-and his whole country. Hero
statesman, patriot, atfectiOnate and obedi
ent son, devoted husband. faithful Christ
tian brother-TeXas from her heart anC
capitol bids thee, Peace, peace TO thy
| soul!