Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-29
CHICAGO LETTER.
Correspondence Public Ledger.l
CHIoAao. September ~, 1881.

out to give heartfelt expression
TO a great national sorrow, and to bear
testimony of love for him whose
earthly remains they were solemnly
following to their last resting place.
The night Of October 8, 1871, a less
multitude was hurriedly
assembled by the deep tones ofstartled
bells to feast their Mortified eyes on
the terrible wreck being remorselessly
wrought by the dcmoniac fire tend,
and to shed tears of sorrow as their
savings of a life time disappeared for
ever within the cruel folds Of the
hideous flames. As nothing can
remove that frighttul picture from
the minds Of those who wit
messed it in all its horrible
likewise time nor circum-
stance can obliterate the grand pic
ture presented on yesterday by the
fervid demonstration of sorrow and
regret of the hundreds and thousands
of Chicago's people for the memory Of
the lately murdered General and Pres
ident James A. Garfield. Business
was entirely suspended, and every
body was down town taking part in
the funeral obsequies, either in the
ranks Of the procession, or as deeply
interested spectators of the sad and
solemn ceremonies. At least 10000
persons participated in the demon
stration. The procession alone num-
bered no less than 10000, and took
two and a half hours to pass a given
point. The entire pageant was simply
grand, and instead of words it would
take an eloquent artist to do the &C.
casion half Justice. While it was the
grandest and most beautiful display
ever witnessed in Chicago, at the
same time it was, | am proud to say,
one Of the most orderly that ever re-
hected credit upon any city, The
national and local military displays
were fine; the several Masonic orders
were very attractive; the Odd Fellows
and Foresters looked well; the Irish
societies never looked better, aud the
numerous other societies, civic and
otherwise, added varied coloring that
made the entire picture impressive
andimposing. If the displays through
out the country were all as heartfelt
as that of Chicago, then it is not wide
of the mark to say that history has
no record where the fallen head Of
any nation has been so hOnOred and
mourned over as our lately assassinated
President. The nations homage and
sorrow so unanimously extended to
the great martyr, President Abraham
Lincoln, while grand in its utteranee,
was dwarish when compared to the
glorious uprising yesterday. And il
there is aught in this wide world that
can soften the horrible gloom that
has settled upon the hearts of the
wife, mother, children and friends Of
the beloved President, it will be the
remembrance Of this sublime display
of a mighty nations love and sorrow
for its illustrious chief, so ruthlessly
stricken by the foul hand of the cow
ardly assassin, The weather was un-
usually fine, and while a dark canopy
hung gloomily over the city, as if in
deep sympathy with the mourning oe-
%casion, heroically initiated poor hu.
mainly below in keeping back their
food. gates Of sorrow. But now, at
this writing, the struggle has ended /;
the pent-up passions of the clouds
have given way, and a refreshing food
of sympathetic tears is being
showered upon the earth, and
Chicago's big heart is glad. President
Garfield is gonel The great states
man, gallant soldier, brilliant orator,
good Christian, true American, loving
husband, fond aud gentle son and
father and promising great chief mag
istrate of 52.000,000 of people has
left us forever A void never 10 be
filled is left in the hearts of his
stricken family; this great nation has
received a sore wound; the law has
been outraged and society has lost one
Of its brightest jewels. All this mis-
cry has been wrought by a creature
that God must judge after man has
given him his just reward. The loss
is ~irreparable to his family, and the
wrong to the nation great. But out
Of the great evil great good may re-
suit. Certain it is that no
other dreadful disaster could have
brought the people so unanimously
together North, South, East and
West in such united and heartfelt ex
preston Of sorrow. And | believe
the brotherly feeling has been SO
strongly cemented that nothing earth
ly will break the bond, the compact Of
love made while weeping over the
grave Of the nations heroic martyr.
l pray God | am right. And / further
pray that the heart of President Ar
thur may be actuated like that of the
people, and his actions directed for
the good ofthe country, regardless of
party or politics. He should consider
that the Republican and Democratic
parties are about equally divided and
jointly represet the nation at large,
and that the Garfield wing of the Re.
publican party was. and is
tho strongest, and that it
and the Democrats together make
up three-tourths of the nation, and
that these three-fourths approved the
late Presidents policy; consequently
it would be a suicidal course for him
to presume to allow his ''stalwart or
one-fourth" ideas and preferences to
control his conduct, instead of what's
demanded of him by the three
fourths" Of the people. 1t is to be
hoped his better judgment will ally
him on the side OF the people at large.
that he will work for the greatest
good Of the greatest number. and that
when his term Of Office expires he will
have done his duty so well that tho
people will honor him By ~"electing1
him their President. No matter
what may be his course, and no mat.
ter how he may differ from what |
consider his proper course, l eonsid-
or President Arthur should have a
fair and impartial opportunity 10 de.
monstrate whether or not he is made
Of that staunch material that should
be in the composition Of heads Of
great republics, and prove to the ma
ton at large that President Hayes and
Secretary Sherman we're in error
when they removed him from Of.
nee. The eyes Of a great oa.ion
are upon him, and ffty-two millions