Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-07-26
@ailp Aennebef Jonrnal.
Augusta, Tuesday Morning, July &c.
An Eyentful Week.

eout C'Dhto- i><t-t cdtufldS diIeTHOO0 II
became known through the agency Of the
telegraph that President Garfield was in a
critical condition. At first people would
not credit the news. They regarded it as
ruse to frighten the public or sell the
Sunday morning papers. Gradually, how
ever, the impression began to grow, as
all sources of information, private as well
public, confirmed the first reports, that
the Presidents life was again in serious
danger. Men whispered their fears but
expressed the hope that later bulletins
from Washington would bring better
news. But the dispatches Of Sunday were
brief and vague and did not relieve the
anxiety which troubled the great
public. It was not until the Mon
day morning bulletin that hope over
came fear, and matters began to
wear more cheerful face Then it was
announced that the cause OF the Presi
dents unfavorable turn had been dis
covered and successfully overcome, and
his condition had begun to improve. The
Monday morning papers containing the
joyful news were read with cagerness and
such thankfulness as had not been felt
since the first bulletins after the shooting
chance for life. Confidence in the recovery
Of the President returned; men went
about their daily tasks happy in the
thought that the calamity which threatened
the nation in the loss Of its honored official
head was again averted. What such a
loss would be the most iar-seen% cannot
fathom. No doubt the nation would
pass through such a trial now. after
the lapse which has occurred since
the day Of the attempt upon his life, bet
ter than had he died Immediately after
the fatal bullet struck him. But at the
best, a change in the Chief Executive un-
der the circumstances which would at
tend such an event in case President Gar
field should die from the effects of his
wound. would excite great apprehension
and perhaps be attended with serious evils
There are few persons. no matter to what
party they belong, that are not thankful
for the hope that President Gariields life
will be spared and the nation not be com
PEELED to try the experiment of inaugural
ing new President in consequence of his
assassination. So as a people we have
profound cause for gratitude that the dan
ger which threatened the President last
week has been overcome, and that he is
still likely to rule over us until an
other President can be chosen ut the
usual time and in the usual way.
Another event of national importance is
The termination of the struggle in New
York over the election of United States
Senators. 1t is gratifying to know that
two republicans have been elected to the
Senate from The Empire State who will
give the administration cordial support.
and that although the contest was long and
bitter. the unity of the republican party
has been preserved. Mr.. Lapham. who
was elected rs a Stalwart. in a speech
made after his election declared that the
most important work to be accomplished
is to preserve the unity and organization
of the republican party. for through this
alone can its principles be upheld and its
purposes carried out. ''In that great
work." he said. al trust my honorable
colleague and myself will be found CO.
-,
know no reason why we should not be
found standing side by side in the ranks
OF the republican party. 1t shall be ours.
fellow-citizens, | trust, to do all in our
power to carry forward the great work
which is before us; to recognize every
man who bears aloft the republican ban
ner with fidelity rs n brother. and to help
in our own way TO unity and consolidate
the republican party. and TO bring about
the great and desired consummation.
Reports coming from various parts of
the State convey the assurance that there
will he no division in the party, and that
il is strengthened rather than weakened
by remanding Conkliug to private life
His course in the late contest has alienated
his friends from him. He manifested such
disposition to sacrifice them to promote
his own individual, fortunes, to continue
the contest regardless of them or its eff
feet upon the party. in short has so ex-
celled even himself in grasping selfish
ness and inordinate vanity and egotism.
that he goes down with scarcely a sigh of
regret from those who have been his de
voted followers. With HIS exit comes
peace to the party in New York. and dis
tant States join in the feeling OF satisfac-
ton which his defeat occasions
Judge Clifford, whose death is an
nounced in another column. was born in
Rumney. \. H., Aug. Is, ls03. He es-