New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-20
SERVICE IN CONGRESS

Practically this the close OF General Gar
delds military career. year before, while be
vas absent in the army, and without any So
hcitation on his part. he had been elected to
Congress from the old Giddngs district in which he re
sided. lie now after few weeks service with
Rosecrans at Chattanooga, sent Washu as the
bearer of dispatched lie there learned Of his promo
ton to Fundamentally Of Volunteers for gallant
and meritorious conduct at the battle Chicamaug
He might have retained this position the army; and
the military capacity he had displayed the hi favor in
which he held by the Government and the cor,afn
III his assignment to important commands seemed to
augur brilliant future. He a poor man. too apd
the MjorGenerals salary than double that OF
the Congressman. But on mature reflection ne decide
that the circumstances under which the people had
elected him to Congress bound him up to an effort f.
obey their wishes He furthermore urged 20 oute
Congress by the officers of the army who looked TO him
tor aid In procuring such military legislation as the
country and the army required Under the belief that
the path of usefulness to the country lay In the dre
lion in which his constituents pointed he sacrificed
what seemed to be his personal interests and on tina 5t
Of December 1858 resigned his commission after near,
three years service.
General Garfield continued his military service I'D 70
the day OF the meeting OF Congress. Even then he
seriously thought OF resigang his position as Ropre
sentative rather than his Major-G enerals commission
and would have done so had not Lincoln urged him Ia
enter Congress He has often expressed regret that he
did not fight the war through Had he done so he would
no doubt have ranked at its close among the oreos OF
IN bis Sandy Valley campaign and the battle of Chiok
amauga the highest qualities OF generalship. brilliant
opening awaited him in the Army of the Cumberland
General Thomas wanted him 10 take command of corns
President Lincoln told him he greatly needed the
influence In the House of who had had Practical
military experience TO push through the needed wnt
legislation He yielded, and the 9th Of December
1863, gave up his generashp and took scat in the
House.
He appointed on the Military Committee. undc,
the cbaimanship OF General Schenck and was OF res,
service in carrying through the measures which re
cruited the armies during the closing years OF the war
In the summer OF 1864 breach occurred between the
President and some OF the most of the Republican
eaders Ia Congress- over the question the reconstrac
ton OF the States OF Arkansas and Iopsi,no
Congress passed bin providing for the or
gani1ation Of loyal governments within the IJniop
lines of those States but Lincoln vetoed and appontd
military Governors Senator Ben Wade OF Ohio and
representative Henry Winter Davis, OF MARYLAND
united, in letter to THE NEw-YoRx TRIBUNE sharnly
cricsng the President for defeating the will OF Con
sress. Ills letter became known the Wade Davis
MANIFESTO ana croa' ID great sensation in political cir
ces The story got about in the XIXth District that
General aried had expressed sympathy with tho no
ston OF Wade and Davis His constituents conde mined
the uocumoht and were strongly disposed 70 set him
aside ana nominate another man for Congress- when
the convention met the feeling against Garfield was So
pronounced That he regarded his denomination as hone
less He was called upon to explain his course IL
went upon the PLATFORM and everybody expected some
thmg In the nature OF apology, but he boldly de.
tended his position approved the manifesto justified
Wade and said nc had nothing reract and could moi
shangc his honest convictions for the sake OF seat m
Congress. He had great respect he said for the onn
ions OF MS constituents but creator regard for his own
II he could serve them Independent representa-
live, acting ON his Judgment and conscience no
would be glad to do So but If not he did not want their
nominations he would prefer TO be AN indcpendent pri
gate citizen Probably talked in thar ,,o
before OF since to body of mon who held his olitic
ate IN their hands Leaving the platform he STROBE
1f the han and down the stairs supposng that he had
7"cesnaiy cut Ills own throat Scarcely had he dsap
scared when ono of the youngest delegates spran, n,
anu said :; The man who has the courage 90 inca
""''htion ike that deserves a nomination. Inoyr
a'at General Garfield be nominated by acosma,Ion
"' ia"ton WAS carried with shout that reached an
ss " A'e eohsfessnan and arrested him ON the side