The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-10-07

sion of the memorial services at the Disciple
church in this village;
AS the remains of the grandest and most
marvellous product of our Republican insti-
tutions are this day being lowered to their
final resting place, at Lake View cemetery,
in the city of Cleveland, 50,000,000 of free
men are gathered about the bier, in memory
with bowed and uncovered hearts.
Sorrow and expressions of profoundest
grief stihe the air, and like the low and
melancholy moan of the ever restless ocean,
the sobs and signs of stricken people go
out to be gathered and garnered within the
realms of the eternal throne.
Gloom, impenetrable gloom has settled
upon this nation as great, dark mantle.
The civilized world stands mute and mo-
tionless as the solemn obsequies are being
performed.
| These griefs and sorrows are the more
poignant because the great heart of James
|
of wretched and irresponsible assassin.
To die amidst the scenes and clangor of
battle, in defense of country or in avenging
its wrongs, while bearing onward the en-
blem of national honor or national integrity,
is a looked for incident to the stern realities
of war, and is regarded by mankind as noble
and as q sacrifice not too great to be made,
no matter how great or how distinguished
the offering may be.
To breathe ones last, after hungry disease
has preyed upon and stcrmed the citidel of
the vital forces, amid the quiet of home, sur
rounded by friends and loved ones is a
bereavement to which we may soon become
reconciled.
To meet death by any of the many casual
ties by which we are surrounded, is not un-
usual, and leaves no lasting impression upon
communities. But to have the head of a
great nation, chosen by constitutional meth
DDS, in the full vigor of most perfect physi-
cal manhood with an intellect as clear,
strong and comprehensive as any that adorns
the history of any country, with an mistaken
and answering integrity, purpose as pure
and patriotic as any that ever flowed from
human action, with opportunities opening
for him to work out more perfectly the great
problems of free government, while peace
fully posing in fancied security on the af-
fections of his own mighty constituency,
and revered by all the world besides stung
to death by a Shiny, crawling vipor, is a
calamity bereavement to which this great
Republic will not soon become reconciled.
Little can be said in the short time allot-
ted about so grand character-we know
not at what point to begin. If we speak OF
his ancestry and boyhood, we will be ham
pered. If we refer to him as farm boy and
boatman, much can be said. If we follow
him in his desperate fight through poverty
for an education in the district schools and
at college and note his progress there, mar.
teacher and preacher, we are met with g
pleasing task of no short duration. If we
stop to mark his entrance into politics, we
open an elaborate theme. Should we at.
tempt to comment on his career as a soldier
: in the service of his country, we enter upor
a review of an important part of the history
of his country. Should we speak of him a:
a leader in finance, or refer to his adroitness
, and magnificent achievements in the legisla
tive halls of the nation, we at once launcl
, upon the broad domain of comparison with
the greatest and loftest statesmen of the age
If we take up the fact of his nomination
and election to the Presidency, the tishe tc
be spent here to-day would be occupied il
describing his modest demeanor and wis,
utterances. Should we presume to portray
the benefcent results to the country, arising
from his policy and administration of the
government during the short period of hi:
tenure, much time would necessarily be re
quired.
To follow him through his home ant
family life, would be to set before you thu
most felicitous domestic picture known t.
the marital relations, and to talk of the hero
ic fortitude, patient, and accomplishing
resignation to his hard fate during the week,
of his recent indiscribable suffering, would
require a more than human tongue. 1t il
} difficult to understand why, in the Provi
dence of God, so great and so good mar
should be taken from US.
While it is true that his election was op
posed by the most bitter and unscrupulou.
methods employed in American politics, yet
the moment it was known that the choic,
had fallen upon him, all was quiet and al
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