The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1881-11-10


IA. GARFIELD.
How he lOnged Tor this "dear ole
quiet and peace in all storms wal
well known to all his closer friends
and how he sighed for it IS he laJ
upon his bed Of pain in the heart o.
Washington and by the shore of the
far-rssOunding sea, the reporters
have told the world.
There is one person who must moi
be forgotten here. And who is this
You all anticipate my answer. She
Is Hiram student, one Of our fsl-
lOWship, the lamented PRESIDENT 3
wife. Hiram claims two thousand
daughters, many of whom have done
! virtuOusly, but Lucrotia exesls them
I all. Wheresoe7er his history shall
be read in the whole world, there
shall also be told what this woman
has done for a memorial of her. In
behalf Of all who are in the Hiram
fellowship I wish to thank Mrs. Gar
field for her heroic devotion, unfal-
tOring courage and immortal hope,
IN the sick chamber of her husband.
1t was not for yourself and your
children alone that you wrought ;
| you wrought for the Nation, for the
world, and for US. We recognize,
but can never pay, our deep debt Of
obligation.
But it Is all over. Black care, that
pershsd like the night-raven in our
homes the evening Of July 2, sits in
them still. In 1865 I stood with
General Garfield in the pouring rain
on DR.. Robinson's doorsteps on
Superior street, April %, when the
hearse Of President Lincoln passed
by the Public Square. Yesterday I
passed the same place as I followed
Garfeld's hearse. To-day his re-
mains lie where Lineoln's lay. And
it is left for US, and it is left for all
his friends, to adjust ourselves to =
world that contains no living Gar
field. He has left to Us his life and
spirit. Storm, and war, and strife
are all ovsr, and he has entered upon
3 quiet and a peace that neither
Hiram nor Mentor knew. He is
thrice happy and doubly immortal ;
immortal in life and immortal IN
death.
Finally, let me ask, why was all
this permitted? Why was the as
sassin allowed to strike him down ?
Why were not the prayers Of the peo-
pie granted? Why did the night
raven never lift his wings and fly
away? Why WAS the Most High
deaf, and why did the heavens give
no sign? What a strange pro7i-
dence! How can it fit into any plan
of Divine wisdom and love? Thus
far I have scarcely tried to answer
these questions, though they have
pressed upon me many an hour. It
is . great test Of faith in God. But
Garfield believed in God. He
thought that an unosasing purpose
runs through the ages and oomprs-
hends the lives Of men; and I think
so too. Still, hitherto I have been
able to do little more than say 'Lord, |
I believe help thou mine unbslisfP'
For myself, I must leave the prob
lem to the future. History will no
doubt discover and disclose what it
passes our power to comprehend.
I have dWelt upon the darker side
Of the great tragedy. True, there
are great elements ofgood in the
story. These I hope will be duly
for we must not dwell
too much upon the cypress. In
Garfeld's young days at Hiram,
when be was full Of bounding life,
this saying Of EmersOn's was a great |
favorite with him; "To-day is a |
king in disguise. Strip off his robes
and enjoy him while he is here" And
1 think I hear him who prosidOs over
US IN spirit, say; "Be not so carried
away with grief, so paralyzed with
30 blind with weeping, that
you can not discover the good that
is in it all" Still for one I must de-
clare
81 falteF where firmly trOd,
And falling with ny weight Of cares
Upon the great worlds altar-stairs,
That slope through darkness up TO God,
81 stretch lame hands Of faith, and grOpe,
And gather dust and chaf, and call
To what feel Is Lord Of all,
And family trust the larger hope"
PROoF EvERYwHERE,-If any invalid