New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-26
ANOTHER DANGER PASSED.

The condition of the President has I'M
doubleday improved, and the news has been re-
ceived with exceeding joy by many millions of
citizens. Not in the United States only but i'm
Europe, the good tidings have been hailed most
gladly, for it is probable that the sick bed of
no other man in this generation has been
watched with anxiety by so many millions of
people on both sides of the ocean as that of
President Garfield. In part, foreign sympathy
is grateful tribute to the Nation which the
President represents. But his own splendid
career and heroic bearing have won the hearts
of great multitudes who know and care little
for the American Republic.
1t is evident now that the people of this
country have been unduly confident for some
days past, just as they were unreasonable
alarmed when the work of the would-be AS
sassin was first reported, and unduly disheart-
ened when the unfavorablc symptoms appeared
on Saturday. In truth are an excitable and
sympathetic people, and are too much inclined
to pass quickly from extremes of excessive fear
to extremes of excessive hope. The truth need
not be concealed-indeed the physicians in
charge have at no time tried to conceal it-that
the President is very weak and sorelv
wounded man, and that recovery from his
wounds, though it may now fairly be hoped for,
that the chances were greatly against recovery.
when the Presidents injuries were first made
known, and there was too general a lack of
that calm fOrtitude with which the President
himself, when told that he had one chance i'm
hundred of recovery, said, "Then we will
take that chance" The fortunate passage of
one period after another of extreme danger ON
the other hand, produced too general a feeling
OF unbounded confidence On Saturday, with
| the news that long anticipated difficulty had
appeared, with precisely the consequences
which the able surgeons had predicted, the
country Immediately plunged itself into the
depths of despair, and said, q We are going to
lose him after ALL"
The periods usually found most dangerous, in
cases of deep gunshot wounds, have now
passed, and the President is still living and in
condition which justifes hope. But it would
be mistake to suppose that all danger is over
even If he continues to improve. There is still
possibility that some other abscess may form
at some point along the track of the wound
There is less chance that one may form else
where, probably, since the immediate cause of
the one just relieved was the fracture of a rib
but it is possible Surgical skill may probably
be able to deal successfully with other difficul-
ties, If they should arise, as it has thus far but
there is still possibility that an abscess NAV
form where the utmost surgical skill cannot
relieve it. The case does not warrant extremes
OF confidence OF of fear. But we can all rejoice
that another perilous point in the weary way
toward recovery has been passed in safety, and
that the care and skill of the surgeons in charge
have again been found sufficient. There is good
reason to hope that their care and skill NAV be
sufficient to the end, and that the Nation NAV
yet greet in rejoicing restored President, with
reverent thanksgivings to the Infinite Ruler.