New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-07
ONE OF G1RFIELD'S ADDRESSES.

Ta;nington c3rresDonSenee Providence Press
On February 8, 1876, after the regular business of
the day, it is stated in the formal phraseoogv of
The Record, that Mr. Phelps Connecticutl offered a
resolution that the House has received with profound
sorrow the announcement of tho death of Orris s.
Ferry, and that proper tributes he paid for his nub
lie and private virtues. After several touching trib
a boyhood friend of the dead Senator's Mr. Garfield,
then in his prime as an orator and already wearing
of one set apart for higher destiny than his fellows,
rose.
Then followed q touching and fraternal tribute,
not necessary TO quote III full but ending with the
following, which seems to one who knew the style of
EACH about equally the work of the author and his
eloquent revlScr
Before closing, however, let mo. refer to the
crowning glory of his life. Mr.. Ferry ha strong
him great controlling force. and not sentiment.
No cloud obscured the efulgence of his hope or
dmmed his vision. Clear and high his intellect and
his faith rose above all storms and darkness and
sustained HIM in sweet companOnshp amid the I'M
revealed mysteries of pain. AS his end drew he
under his own roof, with the angels of his household
about him, he passed to his rest Thinking of trials
wrought for the future trusting in the merits OF his
dear Lord, he could repeat the sweet lines OF
Bonar:
Beyond the parting and the meeting,
shall be soon
Beyond the farewell and the greeting,
Beyond this pulses fever beating,
Love, rest ana hd nome
Lord, tarry not, but come.
Beyond the frost-chain and the fever,
shall DO soon
Beyond the rock and the river
Beyond the ever and the never,
shall be
Love, rest and home
Sweet hopel
Lord, tarry not but come
cay the sweeter word of inspiration-in the vol
nme of the Book it is written Lo come quickly.
Even so, come Lord Jesus"
And thus is chronicled the memory of scene SO
unusual profound, that the great hall of lepsla-
ton with its of careless worldly men, seemed
for the time trunsiigured We all seemed to be
sitting in heavenly placesin Christ jesus Even
the reporters gallery, cool. phlegnatc region as
You may guess. showed "a suspicious surrepttious
display of pocket handkerchief and tears were in
the eyes of many members the floor. have often
heard General Garfield eloquent, but | have never
before or since, heard him approach the touching
when he rose he felt the solemn glow reflected
from al hearts around him, and his voice always
sympathetic, took on an almost prestiy function
and an unconscious tone of exaltation that seemed
above mortality as he recited the dead mans trib-
ute To the dead. The poem that formed its fitting
climax seemed to glow with beatific flame. [ never
can recall 1T even now without some faint glow of
that days inspiration Meeting General Garfield in
the rotunda rs started homeward and knowing
him very well for the year previously. ~ was from
his own section an writing for paper whose
weekly edition circulated in almost every family in
his district had often counseled with him: aud [
said, as he reached out his hand to greet me II |
die III Washington. General don't want any other
funeral but Tor yOu to read a hymn over Inc. VIII
you do 1t " His face still warm with the emo
ton of the hour, and for me- the tears were shin
keeping. and he said very cordially Yes, if you
die first"