Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-29
Continued from LIST page.l


tions existing between our deceased Presi-
dent and myself, during the two years we
were together in the House of representa-
tives. makes this one of the saddest and
most painful duties of my life. His seat
was where could almost touch his elbow.
lived within the magic circle OF his SYM
pathy. ] had received from him many
marks of personal consideration. had
been advantaged by the great power OF his
influence. 1t would be in vain for me TO
attempt TO conceal the emotions that con-
troll me at this hour. What / have to say
to-day l wish TO say accurately and care
fully-with more accuracy and care than
could do In an extemporaneous speech.
The great, manly voice of james A. Gar
field is hushed into silence. His great,
noble heart, the pulsations of which have
been so tearfully counted by an adoring
people, has ceased TO beat. Never again
will the Nation pause and listen when he
rises to speak. Soon the rustling leaves of
autumn, driven by the needless winds, will
rush past his new-made grave, from which
no responses will come. Even the grief
stricken widow will wait and look and
listen in vain, near the cold marble, for
that response to love and tears which, in
life, never failed to elicit a response. How
cold, how heartless, how silent is the
grave.
No one who ever enjoyed his personal
acquaintance could fail TO learn what n
big, noble-heArted man he was. Full of
Joy. and overhowing with gOod-nature-
kind and tender as "A child-with disposi-
ton that inclined him TO defer to the
wishes, the opinions and the comforts of
others, he was yet bold thinker, and per-
fectly fearless in action. Too much of a
statesman to be a subservient politician,
he was often much broader and more lib
eral than his party. He often called down
upon himself the displeasure of the parti-
san, on account OF his liberality and con-
servatism. With every inclination toward
peace and gentleness, he was nevertheless
not averse to war when peaceful means
ceased to be honorable. Impulsive and
human, it would be folly to say that he
was without the errors Of his race but
the goodness Of his heart and the suprem-
acy of his clear, well-directed head kept
him above the level of common vice. /
believe him 10 have been one of the purest,
truest and most noble Of American states
men. Unlike Lincoln, he was thoroughly
versed in the sciences and the most pro-
found learning Of the schools. Unlike
Washington, he was one Of the most hery
and impassioned orators of the age. More
gentle and affectionAtc than either, he
possessed "a big heart and rs unselfish
purpose.
Step by step, from poverty and obscurity
from the tolls and hArdships of early
life to the highest position in the gift Of
the nation-just when the symmetry Of
his earthly career was complete-no cord
left untouched-no line lett unfinished
what more propitious time to die The
inevitable must be met, and what more
fortunate time could be selected than when
the highest goal of earthly ambition had
been reached and the life-work almost
com mpleted7 And then, how many n
brilliant career has been blasted in an
hour The great Greek historian wisely
said that no mans character could be fully
estimated until after his demise. To Gar
held the past Is full of glorious achieve
ments; the zenith has been reached and
the future is secure. The historian will
write his name alongside Of those Of Lin
coin and Washington.
Plebeian IN origin-springing from the
humblest dust--he shot up like meteor
that paIed all other lights around him.
His achievements have rendered bis name
immortal When the hearts Of the people
that now thTob with anguish and are filled
with love aud sympathy shall have crum-
bled to duet, the fame OF the great citizen,
soldier and statesman will shine a. brightly
~ 1t does to-day, and its lustre will con-
time to the end Of time.
A mans domestic life reveals the in.
wardness Of his nature. | kuld rather
trust 8 poor man, who loyedD wife and
children, than one who Syed fame or
money more than these, were be ever so
exalted or rich. How icndsrly he loved
hi. children With what sympathy and
affection he plead with them to leave his
daughter with him ~ the sick room.
"How could one 90 sweet and gentle
disturb me-" he said. How his heart
went out after his boys and how, when
wounded aud bleeding, sick and mangled,
he tried to break the shaft that should
crush his gentle, loving wife by 80 ,enderly
debating the message 20 her Of his at
tempted assassination His first act, after
being declared President Of the United
State, was to turn and ,eBderly kiss his
wife and aged mother. The Thousands who
saw the act Of tenderness and love knew
great. noble heart, capable Of being moved
by the most sacred Of impulses. Every
act Of his life has demonstrated the good
ness of his soul
President Garheld's life, however, even
At the zenith Of HE greatness, was not all
10Y and sunshine. The sleuth. hound Of
The dzfamer was put upon his track and
followed him like an evil spirit-that
demon that robs life Of all Of peace and
hope there is In IL. But who can pass
through ths fiery ordeal Of struggle for
public place without falling under the
tongue of the slanderer7 Envy, jealousy,
the unwitting ardor Of partisanship, all
conspire TO invent the cunning and in
sidious lie. A falsehood boldly spoken
and persistently adhered 70, sometimes
does work Is fatal as the truth. The vic
tim can only wait and hope for the right
and justice to prevail Garfield has waited
patiently--And, oh, how painfully for
the hour Of his vindication. How over
whelmingly Il has come upon this peoplel
Spontaneously, the sympathics Of the
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