The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-03-08
IN MEMORIAM.


tism in.his nature, he was IN no
aancer of attempting rash experi-
ments or resorting 70 the emplricisml
of craftsmanship. But he believed
that renewed and closer attention
should be given 70 questions affect
inc the material interests and com
mercial prospects of fifty millions
of people. He believed THAI our
continental relations, extensive ard
nndeyelopcd as they are, involved
responsibility, and could be cult
yated into profitable friendship, or
he abandoned to harmful indiiier-
ence or lasting emnity. He beliey-
I'd with equal confidence that an
essential forerunner 20 an era OF ma
,;ooal progress must be 4 feeling oil
contentment in every section OF the
TTnion. and generous belief that
the benefits and burdens OF govern
ment would be common TO ali.
Himself a conspicuous illustration
ofwhat ability and ambition may
do under republican institutions, ne
loved his country with a passion OF
patrioic devotion, and every waking
thought was given to her advance.
ment He was an American In all
his aspiration. and he looked to the
destiny and influence of the United
states with the philosophic compo-
surc of Jefferson and the demonstra-
tive confidence of John Adams.
The political events which DIS
turbed the Presidents serenity for
many weeks before that fatetul day
in july. form an important chapter
in his career. and in his own Judg-
ment. involved questions OF right
and principle which are vitality es-
sential TO the constitutional admin
istration of the Federal Govern
ment II would be out OF place
here and now to speak the language
of controversy but the events re-
ferrea to. however they may contln-
ue to be source of contention with
Others. have become, so far as Gar
field is concerned, as much a mat
ter of history as his herolsm at
Chicamauga or his illustrious SER
vices in the House. Detail is not
needful. and personal antagonism
shall not be rekindled by any word
uttered to-day. The motive OF
those opposing him are not to be
here adversely interpreted nor their
course harshly characterized. But
of the dead President this is to be
said. and said because his own
speech is forever silenced and he
can be nomore heard except through
the fidelity of and the love of sur
yiying 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 other. Least of all men did
he harbor revenge, rarely did he
ever show resentment, ana ma
lice was not in his nature. He was
congenially employed only in the
exchange Of good offices and the do
ing Of kindly deeds.
There was not an hour from the
beginning of the trouble till the IA
tai shot entered his body, when the
President would not gladly, tor tie
sake of restoring harmony, have re-
traced any step he'had taken if such
retraction had involved consequences
personal to himself. The pride OF
consistency, or any supposed sense
of humiliation that might result
from surrendering his position, had
not a feathers weight with him.
No man was ever less subject to
such influences from within or from
without. Bat after most anxious
deliberations and the coolest survey
of all tho oircuurstssrr0v7, iro sels'aa
lv believed that the true preroga-
tiyes of the Executive were lnvoly-
ed in the issues which had been
raised. and that he would be un-
faithful to his supreme obligation if
he failed TO maintain in all their
yigor the constitutional rights and
dignities of his great Office He be-
lieved in all the convictions of con-
science when in sound and vigorous
health, and he believed it in his
suffering and prostration in the last
conscious thought which his weari-
ed mind bestowed ON the trarsitory
struggles of life.
More than this need not be said
Less than this could not be said.
Justice to the dead, the highest OBJ
legation that devolves upon the liv-
ing. demands the declaration that
in all the bearings of the subject,
actual or possible, the President was
content in his mind, justified in his
conscience, immovable IN has con-
illusions.
The religious elementin Garfield 5
character was deep and earnest. In
his early youth he espoused the
faith of the Disciples. a sect OF that
great Baptist Communion, which in
different ecclesiastic establishments
is so numerous and so influential
throughout all parts of the United
States. But the broadening tenden-
cy of hls mind and his active spirit
of inquiry were early apparent and
carried him beyond the ,iogmas Of
sect and the restaints OF association.
In selecting a college in which to
continue his education he rejected
Bethany, though presided over by
Alexander Campbell, the greatest
preacher of his church. His reasons
were characteristic: first, that Beth
any leaned too heavily toward sla-
very: second, that being himself a
Disciple and the son of Disciple
parents. he had little acquaintance
with people Of other beliefs and he
thought It would make him more
liberal, quoting his own words,
both in bis religious and generous
views, to so into a new circle and
be undcr new influences.
The liberal tendency which he an
sicipated as the result of wider
culture was fully realized. He was
erlancipated from mere sectarian
Lelief, and with eager interest push
ed his investigation in the direction
OF modern progressive thought He
followed with ouickeninp stem in