Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-05
The Republic Not Ungratcful.


deeply stirred, and they are moved to deeds
and sacrifices for which appeal would be
made in vain after the passage Of time has
chilled the first warm currents OF human
feeling. In this emotional period center
prises of great pith and moment are often
conceived with an honest zeal and fixed
purpose to consummate them. But popular
grief is ephemeral and in the lapse Of time
high and benefcent designs sometimes be-
come =" sicklied DER with the pale cast OF
thought, their currents turn awry
and lose the name of action" Men who
have earned in self-sacrifcing careers the
benefactions of their fellow men have died
in poverty and neglect. Monumental marble
has been devoted to perpetuate the name
and fame of national heroes, but the memo
rial blocks in too many instances still repose
in their native quarries. In the capital OF
this Union the spirit of even the great
father of his country is compelled to look
down upon the still unfinished shaft which
tardy generations are YEARLY raising to his
memory. This apparent disregard for the
memory of the national dead, or remissness
in giving it visible expression, has given
rise to a tradition that republics are migrate
full. However this may be, we believe the
case of General Garfield is destined to prove
conspicuously that republics are sometimes
rateful,--more grateful than empires or
kingdoms. We believe the interest in Gar
field will not disappear in sentimental or
emotional illusions, but will be perpetuated
in thousand enduring ways,-in stone, in
marble, in bronze, in sculpture, in painting,
in customary memorial devices, and in noble
commemorative charities
Side by side with the memory of the dead,
we believe the national and the universal
interest in the living-the widow of the
second martyr president-will long survive
this emotional period, and will descend from
living witnesses and actors to generations
who will learn in song and story of the
tragic days of 1881. Mrs. Garfelds claim
to grateful remembrance rests not upon the
incidental circumstance that she was the
wife of great man, martyr. In supreme
test she has shown the stuff of which
heroines are made. She has displayed
those traits of character which appeal
most powerfully to popular admiration
and sympathy. Her heroism has no mascu-
line quality, nor is it dull indifference, or
oriental immobility, or stocal resignation
to the DEGREES of fate. Against the assas-
sins shot which despoiled her Of an ideal
husband she opposed the dauntless bravery
of womanly nature, the heroism of true
woman's soul. Heart strings were severed
by the wanton blow, and the delicate chords
of loving nature thrilled to such notes of
anguish as are struck only from true wife's
heart. Through eighty days her natural
feelings were held under strong restraint in
her husbands unequal conflict with death,
and he lost the battle with his grim foe from
no weakness of his faithful ally. 1t is this
rare combination, 80 conspicuously displayed,
of heroic and gentle qualities cleaning with
the diamond light of high intelligence that
has crowned Mrs. Garfield queen in the
maintain for her their chivalric regard, and
keep alive sympathetic interest in her
fortunes. Mrs Garfield is fairly entitled to
all the high consideration that has been
shown her. She has ennobled American
wifehood. The name of her peers is legion,
it is proudly conceded, but the honorable
distinction accorded her is justified by the
fact that the people took her husband, more
to her than the fame, or honor, or fortune
of the presidential office, aud placed him in
that position which involved the sacrifice of
everything such woman holds most dear.
Her sacrifices rapidly eliminated in the as
sassination of chivalric husband, and the
conversion of blooming domestic Eden into
desert. Having imposed so great bur-
| den of sorrow upon her, the people will now
do what human hearts and hands can to
| tighten the weight of the disaster which has
befallen her. There is only one opinion
now as to the propriety of the Garfield fun d..
The amount has already far exceeded the
original limit and still the contributions
flow in-the poor widows mite and the rich
citizens thousands are poured heart Of
fering at Mrs. Garield's feet. The republic
is not ungrateful, and it will prove it in its
aifectionate regard for Mrs. Garfield and her
family, the martyred presidents legacy to
the nation he served so faithfully in war and
in peace.