The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-02

grew SO rapidly, none so firmly, as Garfield.
As is said by Treyelyan Of his parliamentary
Zero, Garfield succeeded because all the
world in concert could not have kept him in
the background, and because when once in
the front he played his part with q prompt in
trepidity and a commanding ease that were
but the outward symptoms of the immense re-
serves of energy. on which it was in his power
to draw" Indeed the apparently reserved
force which Garfield possessed was one of his
great characteristics. He never did SO well
but that it seemed he could easily have done
better. He never expended so much strength
but that he seemed to be holding additional
power at call. This is one of the happiest and
rarest distinctions of an effective debater, and
often counts for as much in persuading an as
sembly as the eloquent and elaborate argument
The great measure of Garfied's fame was
filled by his service in the House of Represen-
tatives. His military life illustrated by honor
able performance and rich in promise, was, as
he himself felt, prematurely terminated, and
necessarily incomplete. Speculation as to
what he might have done In field where the
great prizes are so few cannot be profitable
1t is sufficient to say that rs a soldier he did
his duty bravely; he did it intelligently; he
won an enviable fame, and he retired from
the service without blot or breath against him.
AS lawyer though admirably equipped for
the profession, he can scarcely be said to have
entered on its practice. The few efforts he
made at the bar were distinguished by the
same high order of talent which he exhibited
on every field where he was put to the test,
and If a man may be accepted as a competent
judge of his own capacities and adaptations,
the law was the profession to which Garfield
should have devoted himself But fate ordain-
ed otherwise, and his reputation in history
Will lest largely upon his service in the House
of Representatives. That service was except
ionally long. He was nine times consecutively
chosen to the House, an honor enjoyed by not
more than six other representatives of the
more than five thousand who have been elect
ed from the organization of the Government
to this hour
As parliamentary orator, as debater on
an issue squarey joined, where the position
had beer chosen and the ground laid out. Gar
field must be assigned very high rank. More,
perhaps, than any man with whom he was as
ISOLATED in public life, he gave careful and
systematic study to public questions and he
came to every discussion in which he took
part, with elaborate and complete preparation.
He was steady and interchangeable worker.
Those who imagine that talent or genius can
supply the place or achieve the results of Ia
Dor will find no encouragement in Garfields
life. In preliminary work he was apt rapid
and skilltul. He possessed in high degree
the power of readily absorbing ideas and facts
and like Dr. Johnson, had the art of getting
from book all that was of value in it. by q
reading apparently so quick and cursory that
it seemed like a mere glance at the table Of
contents. He was q prominently fair and
candid man in debate. took no petty advantage,
stopped to no unworthy methods, avoided per-
sonal illusions, rarely appealed to prejudice,
i'll not sock tn .inf1ame nassion HI had q
~ 80 W o P - "
quicker eye LOT tne SCrong pOlnC OF his auVer-
sary than for his weak point. and on bis own
eide he ca marshalad his warbtv oro,ments &c
=. 49, ~ -: $500 go - 3 ~ ?:S1a ~. =;
70 nlake MS hearers iorgeC any posslpie lack III
the complete strength of his position He had
a bab;t of stotirr bic onnonant,s o;de with
aI ~ ,1;t,a &C 60; ~ 80 , EInul;t
such ahlPlleuue vi Iairhess anu SUCH iioeIaii'y
OF concession that his followers often COM
nlained that he was pivinp his "a go awav Rut
pponor - III, ,,rolornad Sort;o;not;o, n tho
never Ill Ills proiouseu paitiClpatiou III tue
proceedings OF the House did he give his case
AWAY or fail in the Indictment of competent
,d ;n,,,or,;ol l;.tonorS 80, tho ,,,oo+arr
and Impartial listeners TO gain the mastery.
These characteristlcs, winch marked Garnelo as
parliamentary leader. parliameL tary leader, as
that term Is understood wherever Tree re presenta-
tive government exists Is necessarily aud very
strictly the organ OF his party. An ardent mer1
can defined the instructive warmth OF patriotism
when he offered the toast sOur country, always
right, but right or wrong, our country. The par
liamentary leader who has body of followers that
will do and dare and die for the cause Is one who
believes his party always right, but right wrong
is for his party. No more important exacting
duty devolves upon him than the selection Of the
field and the time for contest. He must know not
merely how strike, but where to strike and when
to strike. He often skillfuly avoids the strength
of his opponents position and scatters confusion
| in the ranks by attacking an opposed point when
really the righteousness of the cause and the
strength of local entrenchment are against him. He
conquers often both against the right and the heavy
battalions; as when young Chas. Fox, in the days
| Of his toryism, carried the House OF Commons
against justice, against its immemorial rights
against his convictions, If, indeed at that pc
riod Fox had convictions. and in the interest of
corrupt administration, in obedience to tyranical
sovereign, dr. we Wilkes from the seat to which the
electors of MiddleseX had chosen him and cd
Luttrel in defiance, not merely OF law but OF public
decency For an achievement of that kind Garfield
DISQUALIFICATION alihed by the texture of his
mind, by he honesty of his heart by his conscience
| and by every instinct and Inspiration OF his ma
| ture.
The three most distinguished parliamentary lead
| ers hitherto developed in this country are Mr.
Clay, Mr.. Douglas, and Mr.. Thaddeus stevens Eacf
was man of consummate ability, OF great earnest
ness, of ntense personality, differing widely, each
from the others and yet with single trait IN com
| mon the power to command In the give and take
OF daily dlscuss1onln the arr OF anu con
solldatlng reluctant ana REFRACTORY IoIioWers ~
the skill 70 overcome al 1orns u opposIoh, anu 70
meet Win competency anu courage 1he var ins
phrases OF UNLOCKED lor assau! OF uHsuspecIeu ue
fection 1t would pc d1hdcult 70 rang WIN tneSe
fourth name In all our congressional history But
OF tnese Mr. clay was 1he sIeateSo - moulu, poL
maps % M nnu ~ Sne NJ, pa ri M ,at9
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