The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-03-04

called tile unfortunate Alabama letter. in
which Mr.. Clay was supposed to have signed
ma political death warrant. They remem.
bered also the hot temp red cifusion by which
Gen. scott lost n large share of his popularity
before MS nomination, and the unfortunate
speeches which rapidly consumed the re-
maindcr. The younger voters had seen Mr.
Greeley, In a series of vigorous and original
9ddrgsseS preparing the pathway forhis own
defeat. Unmindtul OF these warnings, I'M
needing the advice of friends Garfield spoke
in large crowds a. he iourneyed to and from
New York, in August, to II great multitude in
that city, to delegations and Populations of
every kind that called at Mentor during the
summer and autumn. with innum srable
critics, watchful and eager TO catch a phrase
that might be turned into ridicule or odium.
or sentence that might be distorted to his
own or his Sarty's injury, Garfield did not
trip or halt In any one OF his seventy speech
Is. RUS seems all IN" moro remarkable
when IL Is remembered that M did not write
what he said, ami vet spoke with such logical
consecutivcness of thought and such ndmira.
bic precision OF phrase as to defy the acct
dent OF nisreport and the mnlgnity of mis-
representation.
In the beginning OF his Presidential life
Gartield's experience did not yield him pleas
IRE or satisfaction. The duties that engross
SO large portion of the President time were
uiitasteiul TO him and were uuiavOraDly con-
trasted with his legislative work. II have
been dealing all these years with ideas" he
impatiently exclaimed one day. and here |
am dealing with only persons; | have been
heretofore treating of the fundamental prin-
ciples of government, and here / am consid-
ering All dav whether \ or u shall be appoint
cu 10 this or that Oillce.' He was earnestly
seeking some practical way of correcting the
evils arising from an OverRrOwn and un-
wieldly patronage-cvils always appreciated
and often discussed by him. but whose mag.
nitude had been more deeply iIlprc -scd upOn
his mind since his accession 20 the Presidcn-
cy. Had he lived, comprehensive improve
ment in the mode of appointment and in the
tenure of Office would nave been proposed by
him, and with the aid of Congress no doubt
perfected But while many of the executive
IN " "A 1 d.
uous and conscientious in their DISCHARGE.
From the very outset he exhibited admins
trative talent OF a high order. He grasped the
helm Of Office with the hand of master. In
this respect, indeed. he constantly surprised
many who were most intimately ass jciatcd
with him in the Government, and especially
those VINO had feared that he might be lack
ing in the eN 'cutive faculty. His disDO ~ition
of business was orderly and rapid. His power
OF analysis and his skill in classification en-
abled him to dispatch Il vast mass of details
with singular prOmptness and ease. His Cab.
met meetings were admirably conducted. His
clear presentation OF official subjects, his
well considered suggestions OF topics on
which discussion was invited; his quick de-
cisiOns, when all had been heard combined
to show Il thoroughncss of mental training rs
rare his natural ability and his tacic
adaptation to new and enlarged field OF la
DOr.-
with perfect comprehension of all the in
heritances of the war, with cool calculation
of the obstacles in his way, impclled always
by n generous enthusiasm, Garfield conceived
that much might be done by his alministra-
ton toward restoring harmony between the
different sections of the Union. He was anN
ious to go South and speak to the people. AS
early rs April he had Intellectually endeavor-
ed to arrange for a trip to Nashville, whittier
he had been cordially invited. And he was
again disappointed, II few weeks later to find
that he could not go to South Carolina, to
attend the Centennial celebration of the
victory OF the Cowpens But for the autumn
he definitely counted on being present at
three memorable assemblies in the south
the ceieDrati)n ut Yorktown, the opening of
the cotton exposition at Atlanta and the
meeting OF the Army OF the Cumberland at
Chattanooga He was already turning
over in his mind his addresses for each
occasion, and the three taken together
he said to IL friend, gave him the exact scope
and verge which he needed. At Yorktown
he would have before him the associations OF
100 years that bound the South aud North in
the sacred memory of II common danger and
a common victory. At Atlanta he would pre-
sen: the material interest and the industrial
development, which appealed to the thrift
and Independence of every househould and
which should unite the two sections by the
instinct of self-interest and self defense. At
Chattanooga he would revive the memories
of the war only to show that, after all its dis
aster and all its suffering, the country was
stronger and greater, the Union rendered in
disSOuDle and the future, through the agony
and blood of one generation, made brighter
and better for all.
Garfelds ambition for the success of his
Administration was high. With strong eau
ton and conservatism in his nature, he was
in no danger of attempting rash experiments
or OF resorting to the empircism of statesman
ship, but he believed that renewed and closer
attention should be given to questions affect
ing the material interests and com
mercial prospects of fifty millions of people
He believed that our continental relations, eX-
tenSive and undeveloped us they are, in
volved responsibility, and could be cultivated
into profitable friendship or be abandoned to
harmful indifference or lasting cnmitY. He
believed, with equal confidence, that an es-
sential tOrerunner TO IA new era of national
progress must be a feeling OF contentment in
TFVnf.N
belief that the benefits aud burdens of gov
eminent would be common to all. Himself a
conspicuous illustration of what ability and
ambition may do under Republican institu-
tions, he loved his country with passion
of patriotic devotion, and every waking
thought was given to her advancement He
was an American in all his aspirations and he
looked to the destiny and influence of the
United States with the philosophc composure
of John Adams. The political events which
disturbed the Presidents serenity for many
weeks before the fateful day i'm July form an
important chapter in his career, and in his
own Judgment involved questions of principle
and of right which are vitality essential to
the constitutional administration of the Fed
eral Government.
1t would be out of place here and now 50
speak the language of the controversy, but
the events referred to, however they may
continue to be source of contention with
others, have become, so far as Garfield is con
cerned, as much Il matter of history as his
heroism ut Chickamauga, or his illustrious
service in the House. De'ail is not needtul,
and personal antagonism shall not be re-
kindled by any word uttered o-day. The
motives of those opposing him are not TO be
here adversely interpreted nor their cause
harshly characterized, but OF the dead Presi-
dent this is to be said, and said because his
own speech is forever silenced and he can be
no more heard except through the fidelity
and the love of surviving friends. From the
beginning to the end of the controversy he so
much deplored, the President was never for
one moment actuated by any motive of gain
to himself or of loss to others. Least OF all
men did he harbor revenge, rarely did he
even show resentment and malice was not in
his nature. He was congeuially employed
only in the exchange OF good offices and the
doing OF kindly deeds. There was not an hour
! from the beginning of the trouble till the fatal