Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-07-11
THE LESSONS.

tbunderclap from the clear sky. There
being no fierce political strife. no war
the fact that the President had no vio-
lent personal enemies. and the apparent
safety from assassination, both to pri-
vate and public citizens, all tended to
disarm the public from any fears that
the President would meet with a danger
so grave as what befel him. When the
news was received, the people through
out this whole country were terribly
shocked, both at the enormity of the
crime and at the consequences that
threatened the nation. The love that
everybody had for Mr.. Garfield, which
had quietly grown into the mind, kin
died at once into passion, and every
body felt as though one of his kindred
had fallen. Eyes, unacccustomed to
tears, wept, and hard hearts melted.
Then there was the bursting forth of
that soul patriotism which slumbers in
the bosom, until some extraordinary
event calls it forth. Men that hardly
knew they harbored any love of country,
were ready to say as did one of the
Presidents cabinet officers, "What will
become of this poor country p Every
body looked forward with dark forbod-
ings.
There was, at first, another appalling
thought; that there might be in this
country secret societies, like the Nihi-
lists, Socialists, who were plotting the
destruction of the rulers of the land,
and seeking in their dark councils the
destruction of the great and the good.
1t Is very unpleasant thought to feel
that any mans life is in jeopardy on
account of murderers and assassins,
much more so to feel that the President
and other functionaries of the govern
ment, whose lives are of so great value
to the country, are in danger from law
less, passionate and devilish men, who
are the tools of others, in the fearful
work of breaking down republican in
situations, by killing those who admins
ter the laws. Happily, in this case, as
it now appears, the bloody work and
the dark plot had its inception and Gull
mination only in one heartless breast.
Others equally wicked may wish for
the notoriety it gives to follow his ex-
ample, and the idiots and insane may
hereafter do what this man has done,
but then crime committed in this way
loses something of its terrors, as com.
pared with conspiracy such as was in
being at the death of Lincoln.
There is another thing that was dis.
covered by this sad event, and that is
the fact that almost everybody in this
broad land believes in the efficacy Of
prayers strong men and wicked mel
| who ordinarily think little about suct
things went to their knees. or besough
others to pray. The whole Christian
populaee and Christians all over TIT
world prayed, and probably no event il
the worlds history ever evoked so many
and so ardent prayers for one object
So far as can be seen prayers have beef
answered. The wounded one has beef
very near deaths portal every day. TIL
quivering pulse and the glazed eye hav
} caused those at the bedside to expect
sudden demise several times. The ma
ture of the wound and all the dangerou
symptoms have shown the fearful natur
| of the injury. No one will know IN tn
: event of recovery, now probable. tina
| the man is saved by special providence
but praying men will believe this
3 have been the case. There will be caus
1 for devout thankfulness in this remark;
: BILE saving of the Chief Magistrate, an
t all ought to unite in praising God.
y In this affliction there has been ii
: breaking down of party barriers, section
}. al dislikes and personal prejudices, whie
# promise greater fraternity and great
harmony. Let it be remembered TIL
from the party who opposed Gen. Ga
. fields election, and the section sometim
= thought to be hostile to this part of Il
country. at least, have come warm al
sincere words of sympathy and love.
In this grief and Christening let t
y hearts of all be made better, let the 10
- for our fellow countrymen and on those
- other lands, who have SO deeply symr
: thized with US, be kindled afresh, a
: the love Of country burn deeper th
:. ever before.
l. THE ALBANY MIDDLE.