Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-20
4aiIp 4ennebtr Jgurnai.
Augusts. Monday Morning. Sept. 10.
DEAD.

his spirit has been lowering on the con-
fines of eternity, and the Nations heart
has been throbbing in sympathy and ths
Nations ear has been strained to catch the
tidings from the sick room. All is over.
The resolute will. the robust physique.
the dauntless courage. have succumbed
before the pallid fingers Of Death. The
country il in tears this morning. and all
hearts are in thst darkened chamber at
Long Branch where the martyred ruler lies
at rest.
In the most peaceful and prosperous
moment the country had known tor half
a century. the shot Of . cowardly assassin
was fired at the Chief Magistrate Of the
United States The press Of Christendom
told the mournful story. and moralized ~
it told. In this country the popular grief
was absolutely unanimous. One tender.
overpowering thought called truce to
party contention. Since that memorable
I'd of July. with alternating hope
and gloom. old and young. men and
women. have scanned with feverish eager
ness the bulletins which gave the condi-
ton Of the President. and lain down,
praying, to sleep. thanking God that ~
vet the worst had not come. 1t was .
marvellous tribute. It was plain that the
tale of General GARYIELD's hardy and
heroic life-the sure and steady rise OF
this poor American boy. taking every
degree of honor in the university OF ex-
perience. equal to every occasion. to
peace and war. to good fortune and i'll for
tune-had profoundly touched the hearts
If his countrymen. A year ago every
word and incident Of that life was told by
party passion-on one side eulogized and
extolled. on the other distorted and Wilt
fed. Out of that fiery ordeal he emerged
stronger than ever with the people.
Mild and conciliatory in character, Of long
and varied political experience. a natural
statesman with mind amply stored and
especially trained for public duty. simply
dignified in manner. a powerful man,
singularly blameless. he entered upon the
Presidency with every happy augury.
But. in an evil hour. n skulking wretch
dared to attempt 10 take that life. so dear
to fifty millions of people.
II Is not necessary to dwell upon the
weary weeks of suffering which succeede d
the crack Of GUIrEAU's pistol. But
through all that trying period we have
had but one glimpse Of the Presidents
character. While languishing on the sick
couch, he has been, from the first. brave,
patient, hopeful-the truest type Of
Christian gentleman. Before the fateful
I'd Of July We admired his culture. his
broad and statesmanlikc views. and his
successful life. Now we love him! The
tcars we shed over his death come hot
from the heart.
Thanks to the genius of our institutions.
the wheels of government and Of business
cannot be clogged for an instant by the
death Of any one man. God reigns and
the government at Washington still
lives" There may be a slight furry on
Wall street; but the country IL on the full
sea Of sound prosperity. and the de-
preston cannot last. The functions Of
the government will continue in healthy
operation without disturbance or without
interruption. Gen. ARTHUR has won the
respect Of the people by his noble bearing
since the day Of the shooting; he has dis
armed distrust; he has the confidence Of
business men. Now that he is called to
this high Office by the death Of the Presi-
dent, he will have the warm sympathy
and sustaining respect Of the whole couu-
try. May he prove equal to his oppor-
tunityl
President GARFIELD died poor But
the Nation will see that his family are
tenderly cared for The God Of the widow
and the fatherless will sustain that devoted
wifs, that aged mother. and those affec
tiouate children. in their awful bereave-
ment. rifty millions Of mourners share
thsir grief. The country is in ssckcloth
sad ashes; but with the tears and agony
come the angels of consolation. GARFIELD
died like brave man. His statue will
occupy one Of the highest inches in the
American Parthenon. Side by side in the
hearts Of the lloversxot noble manhood