River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-03-09

which should unite the tW sections by
the instinct of s-lf-interest and selfde-
tense. Az Chattanooga he would re-
we memories of the war, only to show
that after all its disaster and all its suf-
fering, the country was stronger and
greater, the union rendered indissolu-
bic, and the future, through the agony
and blood of one generation, made
brighter and better for all.
Garfield's ambition for the success OF
his administration was high. With
strong caution and conservatism in his
nature, he was in no danger of at
tempting rash experiments or of resort
ing to the impiricism of statesman
ship. But he believed that renewed
and closer attention should be given to
questions affecting the material inter
ests and commercial prospects of fifty
millions of people. He believed that
our continental relations, extensive
and undeveloped as they are, involved
responsibility, and could be cultivated
into profitable friendship or be aband-
oned to harmful indifference or lasting
enmity. He believed with equal conf
dence that an essential forerunner to a
new era of national progress must be a
feeling of contentment in every section
of the Union, and generous belief
that the benefits and burdens of govern
ment would be common to all. Him
pv.. a conspicuous illustration of what
ability and ambition may do under re-
publican institutions, he loved his
country with passion of patriotic de-
votion, and every waking thought was
given to her advancement. He was an
Anne rican in all his aspirations, and he
locked to the destiny and influence OF
the United States with the philosophic
composure of jefferson and the dem
onstrative confidence OF John Adams.
The political events which disturbed
the presidents serenity for many weeks
before the eventual day in 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 constl-
tutional administration of the federal
government. 1t would be out of place
here and now to speak the language OF
the controversy; but the events referred
TO, however they may continue to be a
source of contention with others, have
become, so far as Garfield is concerned,
as much matter of history as his
heroism at Chickamaugua or his illus
trious service in the house. Detail is
not needful, and personal antagonism
shall not be rekindled by any word ut
tered to-day. The motives of those OPP
posing him are not to be here adverse
ly interpreted nor their course harshly
characterized. But of the dead presi-
dent this is to be said, and said be-
cause his own speech is forever silenced
and he can no more be heard except
through the fidelity and the love ofsur-
viving friends: From the beginning to
the end of the controversy he so much
deplored, the president was never for a
moment actuated by any motive of
gain to himself or of loss to others.
Least of ali men did he harbor revenge,
rarely did he even show resentment,
and malice was not in his nature. He
was congenially employed only in the
exchange of good offices and the doing
of kindly deeds.
There was not an hour, from the be-
ginning of the trouble till the fatal shot
entered his body, when the President
would not gladly, for the sake of restor-
ing harmony, have retraced any step
he had taken if such retracing had
merely involved consequences personal
to himself. The pride of consistency,
or any supposed sense of humiliation
that might result from surrendering
his position, had not feathers weight
with him. No man was ever less SUBJ
ject to such influences from within or
from without. But after most anxious
deliberation and coolest survey of all
the circumstances, he solemnly be-
lieved that the true prerogatives of the
Executive were involved in the issue
which had been raised, and that it
would be unfaithful to his supreme
obligation if he failed to maintain, in
all their vigor, the constitutional rights
and dignities of his great Office. He
believed this in all the convictions OF
conscience when in sound and vigorous
health, and he believed it in his suffer
ing and prostration in the last conscious
thought which his wearied mind be-
slowed on the transitory struggles OF
life.
More than this need not be said. Less
than this could not be said. Justice to
the dead, the highest obligation that
devolves upon the living, demands the
declaration that in all the bearing of the
subject, actual or possible, tne Presi-
dent was content in his mind, justified
in his conscience, immovsble in his
The religious element in Garield's
character was deep and earnest. In
his early youth he espoused the faith
of the Disciples, sect of the great
Baptist Communion, which in different
ecclesiastical establishments is SO nu-
and so influential throughout
all parts of the United States. But the
tendency of his mind and
his active spirit of inquiry were early
and carried him beyond the
dogmas of sect and the restraints of as
ISOLATION. In selecting q college in
which to continue his education, he re-
iected Bethany. though presided over
by Alexander Campbell, the greatest
preacher of his church. His reasons
were characteristic: srst, tn at Bethany
leaned too heavily toward slavery; and,
second, that being himself Desclple
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 his religious and
general views, to go into q new circle
and be under new influences.
The liberal tendency which he an
ticipated as the result of wider culture
was fully realized. He was emancipat-
ed from mere sectarian belief, and with
eager interest pushed his investigations
in the direction of modern thought.
He folio we'd with quickening step in
the paths of exploration and specul4-
ton SO fearlcssly trodden by Darwin.
by Huxley, by Tyndall, and by other
living scientists of the radical and adj
vanced type. His own church, binding
Its disciples bv M formulated creed
but accepting the old and new tesla
ments as the word of God with unbiased
liberty of private Interpretation, IA
yored. ifit did not stimulate, the spirit