New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-20
TIE DEAD PRESIDENT.

The reaper Death gathers the bravest and
the best. After struggle which has kindled
the admiration of the world for his heroic man
hood, President Garfield has gone From still
heights where crime and pain come not, he
looks down upon a mourning Nation which he
hoped to help by wise discharge of duty.
Worthier men than Abraham Lincoln and
James A. Garfield this country has never seen
in high station, and each was taken, early in a
term of power, and in the prime of manhood.
Foil and poverty, n hard life and iron fortune.
had not put out the fire of gcuins foul disease
had spared them; the deadly bullets of many
battles had missed the life of General Garfield /;
but the shot OF an assassin took each from n
sorrowing Nation. How strange is that Provi
dence which takes from people the very man
who seems to human eyes to have both the will
and the power TO do tho most good Yet the
goodness Of the Infinite Father to this Nation
has been great that, even in spcechless
sorrow and wondering, the people can only
bow, submit and family strive to learn the
lesson which their great loss teaches blessing
meanwhile the Power which has given to this
Nation no grand n specimen of true manhood TO
bee an example for all time TO it's youth
\ The Presidents death will cause less shock,
but far more sorrow, than il he had been shot
utdu vi lnC "a VI July. lncTt mas Dcc0 Tune 10
learn that the Government cannot be shaken by
1 the death of any man, however high, or great,
or good. But there has been time too, to learn
1 how great and good man was lifted to the Pres
idcncy by the votes of last November Eleven
1 long weeks fifty millions of people have sat by
him, as he lay i'll the presence of death: have
4 watched each pulse and breath, and caught each
word that fell from his lips. No man has ever
l,ptt Nv hn
4 dent whom they have just lost, and none has
ever been more loved. The best of a man does
z not often como out on bed Of long and weary
d suffering. In the face of DEATH not many men
4 bear pain for weeks with the spirit of the true
hero But the President has shown himself 80
q grand and true, so patient and loving so brave
{ and faithful, that the pain of losing him is in
d lintcly greater to day than it would have been
when first be fell. The great Nation holds him
in its heart of hearts, and there he will live for
ever.
He is President no more. Only four months
! he held tho helm, but the work done in tha,
short time will bless the land for ages No
other Administration has ever done more foI
he good of The country than this which had
just begun. The time has not yet come for a
calm and dispassionato review of Garfield's
acts. nor are the eyes, now dim with tears able
l as yet to see all the merit of his plans. Those
who were close in his counsel Will have much to
! say of the noble and lofty aims which inspired
him, but his fame will not rest upon unreallzed
hopes. The cold and passionless verdict OF
history, though il may find fault or a flaw
will more than satisfy those who loved James
A. Garfield most, and will place his name far
toward the highest in the list of human rulers.