The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-09-27


possessed by but few men. He was
not logiciah in the popular sense of
that term. lie addressed the intui,ious
and conscienees OF men Qaite a. often
IS their reason John &. Calhoun,
Senators Morton and BGysrd aud Gar
field stand Bnrival!ed among American
s atesmsn for their wonderful powers
of generalization. classification and sn-
slysis. This power made Calhoun q
dangerous antagonist 10 Webster with
all his slefge hammer strokes Of logic
and incisive reasoning. M0rtou's fame
and reputation tests upon this fOnuda-
ton alone. Garfield possessed this
power in 3 remarkable degree. Ii was
this power that enabled him 10 hold
popular audiences even IN a two hours
speech on the dreary topics Of tbsnce.
He gathered up Nthe fundamental
principles underlying the complicated
topics % political economy. stated them
With such ciearness and simplicity IS
not ooly tn bring them within the
comprehension but TO make them at
tr.ctIve 10 the ordinary understanding.
The most volumiCous aud complicated
mass Of facts fused in the furnace of
such an intellect Is quickly reduced to
order-the good separated from the
bad. the valuable from the worthless,
and the principle undertaking the good
and valuable made nauifest-iike as
the fire OF the furnace releases the pre-
cions metal from the rock. aud dirt and
sand by which il Is surrounded. and
utilities it for the purposes of commerce
and civilization. AS speaker he was
always dignitied and impressive. He
had strorg convictions, and he uttered
them with courage aud earnestuess
He was Que OF the few members who
could slwa, command the attention of
the House. | have seen hiHi arise in o
tumult of excitement and as soon ss the
tones of his clear ringing voice echoed
through the vast ball. all was bushed,
and every ear was open. and every eye
was turned toward him. was present
when ne delivered his great speech on
the Importance and necessity of stand
ing by the resumption law and the
currency of the constitution. Many
members were wavering-hard times
were abroad iu the and-bsnkrurtcies
were frequent and enormous in amount
There was al appalling shrinkage of
values and q wild cry came up from
the north aud south and the great in-
land west for more money. The ad.
vocates Of the policy of largely in
creasing the volume of the greenback
currency we're jubilaDt, but that speech
decided their fate.
The doubling were convinced aud the
wavering fixed in their determination
TO stand by the resumption law Re-
sumption succeeded. The nation was
preserved Business rests upon q solid
found .tion and sn era of prosperity
prevails. 70 no man is the nation
more indebted for this suspicious con-
di;ion of affairs than to him whose un-
timely death we mourn to- day.
NotwIths.a ading the esrnestness and
boldness Of Mr.. Garfeld's utterances
every bod WAS his friend. They gave
SO sure it is that these qualities always
command our respect il they do not ex-
cite orr admiration. The sterling
qualities which have briefly mentioned.
together with Lis known and accepted
position on the great public questions
of the day secured Mr.. Garfield's nom-
nation to the Presidency at tue national
convention, which met at Chicago Oh
the 3 day of June, 1880. His
competitor as oil know was patriotic
and illustrious UnIou general The
contest was remarkable for its thorough
ness and intensity IN the doubtful
States, but MIR Gar field was clearly and
fairly elected, and ON the 4th of March
last was duly inauS urated. He entered
on the discharge of his duties AS Presi-
dent under the most suspicious circum~
stances. We were at peace with all the
world. The wounds OF the war had
been healed, aud the work of reconoil-
islion had been fairly accomplished.
Prosperity reigned snpreme-the good
time had come and the people rejoieed
Menaced 10y no external danger. and
free from domestic discussions he could
turn his entire attention to the internal
machinery of government. he deter
mined to distinguish his term of Office
by its purity Of administration aud
economy of expenditures. Only four
months was he at the helm, but his.
achievements IN hat time will be re-
membered long snd bless the land for
years. In that brief time he routed
the army of contracting thieves from
their intrenched position 10 the post
Office department, and established @
standard OF Official Integrity and honor
that carried dism,y to the spoil hunter
and dishonest official. But just as he
had fullyga hered the reiDs Of govern
ment in his hands. and sent forth the
uncompromising demand for honesty
aud integrity from all officials. and
while preparing to enforce that demand
the assassin's bullet paralyzed his
powers and arrested the much needed
work of reform. That he made mis-.
takes may be conceded. for Ell human
judgments are imperfect. But the
cold and passionless voice Of history,
though It msy find ianlt or flaw will
more than satisfy those who loved him
most, aud will place his name among
the highest aud puTest in the list of
human rulers.
Ia the contemplation of tue solid and
brilliant abilities of a great man we
often lose sight of those qualities that
endear one TO friends and the loved
ones around the home circle Man may
possess transcendant genius. and be
the idol of the populace and yet be
selfish, unsoc al and sruel at home.
Towering ambition may, and sometimes
docs On b. AZ Innate the love of wife and