National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-22
IN MEMoRIAM.
Communi Gated.

COmmuni Gated.
While friends and relatives are strewing
with fresh-blown flowers the new made and still
open grave it is permitted to strangers to ap-
proach the narrow tenement where lies wrapped In
the cold embrace of death the human form, lately
all instinct with the impulses of vigorous life. 1t
o. custom which has grown up in tender considera-
Ion Of our frail humanity. IT enables the living
opay silent and therefore honest tribute TO the
qualities of the departed. It enables the dead at
The last hour OF their stny on earth, even though
unconsciously, to do thatwhch might well consuni-
mate the perfect work of useful life-to pontthe
living to that grave TO which we are hastenin;
SO now, while these friends and relatives strew
The bier with roses. made fragrant by their alec.
lions, !, comparative stranger. approach this
mystery of death to pay my tribute aud receive my
tdmonition.
On Monday night, the 10th instant the immortal
spirit of James A, Garfield, the twentieth Presi-
dent fthe United States, passed from earth. The
nd message, borne on the lightnings wings, car
red sorrow to the hearts Of millions. In his death
the Nation has lost one Of its ablest most accom-.
plished, and most eloquent sons the true citizen
faithful friend, and true democracy staunch and
cherished defender
II was not necessary that we should be at his
bedside to know how he died. The world knows
how he lived, and the world knows that such a
life could only have fitting close in a Christian
DEATH Let US learn by his heroic example that
We live In deeds years In thoughts not breaths
In feelings. not In figures on the dial.
We count time by heart-ihrobs. He most lives
Who thinks most feels the noblest, acts the best
Though not full OF years he was crowned with
hOnors and des eends TO the tomb with the bene-
dicton ofa Nation upon his head. tits said that
"death loves a shining mark" and If this be so,
surely his ilsatate cravings have been fully graft
fed In the instance now bearing, sorrow. laden on
tha Ha bod hnK To- "a
hearts fthe people which will be cherished long
after his ashes shall have moudered back to their
mother Garth.
Ilustrlous in arms, in the forum, in the halls OF
legislation, and as Chief Magistrate of the Nation,
that Nation mourns his death. With more than
the honors OF conqueror will his dust rest in
sepulture among the people by whom he was SO
honored and ardently loved, and his SOUL ascend
ing TO his God would, If II might speak TO u.s. coun-
sci, Love your country, remember yonr fellow.
man, and If you rescue anything from the wreck
OF time, lay It up in God"
have written Of the deceased public man
but who will speak Of the virtues which adorned
his private llfe9 Who will speak of him as hus-
band father friend neighbor, citizen? We have
reason to know from the simplicity of his charac-
ter, his kindness his genial nature, and his firm
integrity that his home and his friends were ever
cheered and made happy by his presence, lie was
so genial in his intercourse, Of a sympathy so
quick ana ready, so kind and alfectionate and
generous that there seemed combined In him all
those qualities which challenged the love and ad-
miTation Of those who best knew him, and which
disarmed the resentment of enemies aud endearcd
him to the hearts Of friends. Upon the immediate
family of our lamented dead has this blow fallen
with crushing force No words of human sympa.
Thy or coincidence can staunoh the wounds OF
bleeding affection, and 1t Is alone TO Him who
tempers the wind to the shorn lamb that the
appeal must be made
An II Is sad when one thus llnkd departs'
When Death, that mighty sev'rer OF true hearts,
Sweeps through the halls so lately loud IN mlrth,
A"A leaves pale Sorrow weeping by the hearth