Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-09-21

The Dead President.

The dread event which has for nearly
twelve mortal weeks cast its ominous shadow
over the nation has fallen in thick, blank
darkness upon it. President Garfield i,
dead. The brave spirit which had so long
and so heroically maintained most unequal
conflict with the thickly beeaguering forces
of death, intrenched within the very citidel
OF life itself, surrendered Monday evening,
the nineteenth instant, between the hours OF
ten and eleven o'clock. A week ago this result
was hardly anticipated. The reports of an
improved condition, of reviving strength
and increasing vitality despatched from
Elberon up to Friday, the sixteenth instant,
were reassuring, and the decisive test which
indications favorable to the presidents re-
covery seemed to have been almost realized,
or in course of grateful realization. But as
has so often before happened in the presi-
dents case these favorable symptoms were
but the Elusive precursors of a relapse, a
relapse against which the patient had now
no reserves to oppose, and the worn en-
feebled, exhausted vital forces which had
rallied after the transfer to Long Branch
for final stand for life were overborne by
the remorseless onslaught of deaths enven-
omed hosts.
Friday night the feeling of uneasiness with
which the day began was strongly confirmed.
The different symptoms were all slightly
aggravated and there was an increase of
anxiety. Saturday opened favorably and
the morning bulletin indicated condition
in the main satisfactory, but at half-past
eleven he had a severe chill lasting half an
hour and followed by perspiration. The
chill, as indicating the possible formation
of another pus cavity, was anxiousy regarded
by the surgeons, but at night it was not
considered as indicating any new compica-
tons, and at the close of Sunday the result
of the days developments seemed to be an
even one for the president An approach
toward chill Sunday evening dissipated
whatever encouragement the day had given
and hope sank to revive no more. Monday
morning the president had a succession of
severe chills, which DR.. Bliss said were like
pounding away at gate with a battering
ram. During Monday afternoon he rested
quietly, the evening bulletin indicating no
aggravation of symptoms since the noon
bulletin was issued. He had slept much of
the time, and pulse, temperature and resp-
ration did not vary materially from the
lower figures in the bulletins during the
past few days. No encouragement was de-
rived from these facts, as they were regarded
as indicating condition of fatal exhaustion.
At ten o'clock Monday evening the presi-
dent was reported as sleeping quietly, his
pulse at one hundred six, and all the condi-
tions then promising quiet night. The
doctor asked him if he was feeling uncom-
Portable in any way. The president an
swered /" Not at ALL" and shortly afterwards
fell asleep. About fifteen minutes later he
awoke and remarked to General Swain that
he was suffering great pain, and placed his
hand over his heart. Dr. Bliss was sum
moned from an adjoining room. He said at
once that the president was dying and di-
rected Mrs. Garfield to be called. He sank
rapidly till thirty-ive minutes past ten, when
the heroic spirit of General Garfield, eighteen
years from the very day when he won proud
distinction by his gallant conduct on the
fiercely fought field of Chickamauga, re-
turned to him who gave it.
A calamity steadily faced for more than
eleven weeks has befallen this nation, never
theless the stroke descends with all the force
of fresh affection. There have been times
during these long weeks of strained anxiety
when people have hoped with hope that
had in it less of reason than of the hearts
fervent desire that the assassin's murderous
purpose might not succeed that the presi-
dent might be spared through long years to
carry out the high purposes his heart had
conceived and which his great brain was
planning to execute. Those hopes have
been disappointed, but the disappointment
though it make mourning hearts does not
shock the nation as it would had the presi-
dents death followed soon on the assassin's
shot. People have had time to reflect and
to adapt themselves to the change which
has come at last. Sorrow and mourning
for noble life cut down will flow unre-
stricted, but fear for the welfare of the ma
ton, if ever entertained, was long since dis
missed. Vice-President Arthur will assume
fttyn frr1 nft hn q L.,
constitution provides and the wheels of gov.
eminent will move quietly onward, and all
the people will yield it patriotic obedience
and support.
1t is not necessary to write the biography
of General Garfield. He has lived and been
an actor in these times and his whole history
is as familiar as household words. He is a
representative American. His early life of
poverty and hardship, his heaven-given
thirst for knowledge, his student life, his
response to his countrys call for defenders
in 1861, his rapid rise to the highest mill
tary rank, his brilliant congressional record,
and his recent unsolicited elevation TO the
presidency, the supreme prize OF an Ameri-
can citizens ambition, are the grand
strides in wonderful career. A large
Drained, generous-hearted, great-souled man
he won and firmly held the love, respect and
confidence of mankind. With Lincoln he
will ever be associated in American annals
as one of mankinds best and truest friends
as well as by the imperishable tie of mar
tyrdom.