Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-09
1881
NO. 2l3.
A Historic Ride.

The President is at Long Branch. After a
Journey which his surgeons evidently regard
ed with some apprehension, he is out of the
Washington atmosphere, and is in q more
hopeful condition. Millions of citizens unit
ed yesterday in devout prayers for his recov-
ery and at the same hour all the science and
art of the country was employed in the effort
to move him without danger. Trust in God
and keep your powder dry" was the watch
word of the Puritans. Infinite power works
through human agencies. Even while mil
lions were praying. thousands of skilled men
were doing their utmost to save the life of the
Preident.
The ride will be historic. One grand sold
ier and strong horse made immortal the
the ride through the Valley Of Virgin
ia. But here were employed all the resources
OF civilization. "Forty-fve miles An hour;
the movement of the car scarcely felt; pulse
lo2;" was the dispatch which told how far
science had conquered space; the greatest
railroad company in the world had placed its
best engine and engineer at the disposal OF
the President, and in seven hours had con-
>,ructed a especially fitted for his needs.
Paper wheels, spring boards for the bed,
wire guaze for the windows, n false roof To-
keep of the heat. trains stopped wherever
the noise of their passing might disturb the
Nations patient-such we're the provisions OF
the Pennsylvani, Company for the emergen-
cy. AT sixty miles an hour tull glAss of
water was not spilled. The skilled surgeons
TO direct the speed of the train. the swim tel
egraphers To send orders, the trained atten-
dants to meet every want, and the loving
friends TO cheer the patient at every stop--all
these and other helps were supplied. But
above all. the Nation offers its thanks to the
Infinite Father, il the dangerous and trying
trip has ended in safety.
The Nation reverently thanks God this day
that the President is in position to have great
er hope of recovery. II has been like great
battle between Death and Science. The Nine
teenth Century has done what il could to save
the life of u beloved and noble man, and the
issue is with him who doeth all things we'll
Perhaps the trip would not have been made.
but for the dauntless courage of the President
aud his wife, who have insisted earnestly up
on the trial. Perhaps little delay in build
ing new tracks at Washington or at Elberon
| might have cost the patient his life. Certainly
| an lnstaEts neglect by train conductor,
engineer, switchman or station-agent might
have brought sorrow to all the land. Even
the waiting crowds, which stood with loving
silence as the train whrled by, did their part.
This removal has tested the civilization Of this
country. Imperial power could not have
done better, and the Nation rejoices to-day
that its efforts do not seem to have been un-
successful.
The strain of such journey, to a man
| weak the President, may not be immedi-
ate'y felt Some reaction is possible. and
the late dispatches show that the immediate
effect of the journey was high pulse.
weaker condition and greater appearance Of
danger would not be surprising. But the pa.
tient seem to have strength enough to resist
. th., fatt nd tha ,ha htns
courage and hope. He has longed for it, and
the escape from the malaria of Washington
may seem to him an escape from the shadow
of death. That the surgeons in charge be-
| lieved his removal necessary is known, and
they wonld not have taken such a risk with
out reason. While praying for the recovery
of the President and hoping that the efforts
| Of human skill and science may not be inef-
fective, the Nation knows that it must wait
for some hours or days before the final result
| of this brave and skillful undertaking can be
disclosed. d.-NeW York Tribune.