Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-01
HIS WORK AND PLANS As PRESIDENT.

HIS WORK AND PLANS AS PRESIDENT.
In the beginning OF his presidential life Gar
fields experience did not yield him pleasure or
satisfaction. The duties that engross so large a
portion Of the presidents time were distasteful to
him. and were unfavorably contrasted with his
legislative work. 81 have been dealing all these
years with ideas, he impatiently exclaimed one
day, land here am dealing only with persons.
have been heretofore treating of the fundamental
principles of government, and here am consider
ing ali day whether or B shall be appointed to
this or that office" He was earnestly seeking
some practical way of correcting the evils arising
from the distribution OF overgrown and unwieldy
patronage-evils always appreciated and often
discussed by him, but whose magnitude had been
more deeply impressed upon his mind since his
accession to the presidency. Had he lived, a COM
prehensive improvement in the mode of appoint
ment and in the tenure of office would have been
proposed by him, and with the aid Of congress no
doubt perfected.
But, while many of the executive duties were
not grateful to him. he was assiduous and consci-
entous in their discharge. From the very outset
he exhibited administrative talent Of high or
der. He grasped the helm OF office with the hand
of master. In this respect indeed he constantly
surprised many who were most intimately associ-
ated with him in the government, and especially
those who had feared that he might be lacking in
the executive faculties. His disposition Of bust
ness was orderly and rapid. His power OF analy
sis, and his skill in classification, enabled him to
dispatch a vast mass Of detail with singular
promptness and ease. His cabinet meetings were
admirably conducted. His clear presentation of
official subjects his well-considered suggestion OF
topics on which discussion was invited, his quick
decision when all had been heard, combined to
show a thoroughness OF mental training as rare
az his natural ability and his facile adaptation TO
new and enlarged field Of labor.
With perfect comprehension of all the inherit
ances of the war with cool calculation OF the
obstacles In his way, impelled always by gen.
erous enthusiasm, Garfield conceived that much
might be done by his administration toward
q harmony hat uap the All
Of the union He was anxious to go south and
speak to the people. As early as April he had
Intellectually endeavored to arrange for trip TO
Nashville whittier he had been cordially invited
and he was again disappointed a 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 def
nitely counted on being present at three memoir
able assemblies in the south-the celebration at
Yorktown, the opening OF the cotton exposition
at Atlanta, and the meeting OF the Army OF the
Cumberland at Chattanooga. lie was already
turning over In his mind his address for each
occasion, and the three taken together, he said to
a friend, gave him the exact scope aud verge
which he needed At Yorktown he would have
before him the associations of a hundred years
that bound the south and the north in the sacred
memory OF a common danger and common vic
tory. At Atlanta he would present the material
| interests and the industrial development which
appealed TO the thrift and independence OF every
household, and which should unite the two sec
defence. At Chattanooga he would revive men,
cries OF the war only to show that after all its
| disaster and all its suffering, the country was
| stronger and greater, the union rendered indis-
soluble, and the future, through the agony and
blood of one generation, made brighter and better
| for all.
Garfeld's ambition for the success Of his ad-
| ministraton was high. With strong caution and
conservatism in his nature, he was In no danger
OF attempting rash experiments of resorting 10
| the empiricism of craftsmanship But he be-
| leved 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 rela-
tons, extensive and undeveloped they are, In
volved responsibility, and could be cultivated
| into profitable friendship or be abandoned to
| harmful indifference or lasting enmity. He be-
| eved with equal confidence that an essential
| forerunner 10 new era Of national progress must
be feeling OF contentment in every section OF the
Union, and general belief that the benefits and
| burdens Of government would be common TO all.
Himself a conspicuous Illustration OF what ability
and ambition may do under republican lnstitu-
tions, he loved his country with passion OF pat
riotic devotion, and every waking thought was
given 10 her advancement. He was an American
In all his aspirations, and he looked TO the destiny
and influence OF the United States with the philo-
| sophical composure of Jefferson and the demon
stratiye confidence of John Adams.
| THE POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES.
The political events which disturbed the presi-
dents serenity Tor many weeks before That hateful
day In July form an important chapter In his ca
reer, and, In his own judgment, involved questions
OF principle and OF right which are vitality essen.
| tal TO the constitutional administration OF the
| federal government. II would DO out of place
here and now 10 speak the language OF contro-
yersy; but the events referred TO, however they
may continue to be source Of contention with
others, have become, 10 far as Garfield IL con.
cerned, AZ much a matter OF history as his hero
ism at Chickamauga or his illustrious service Ia
the house Detail Is not needful, and persona
antagonism shall not be rekindled by any word
uttered to-day. The motives of those opposing
him are not TO be here adversely interpreted OF
their course harshly characterized But of tn,
dead president this IL N be said and said becaus,
his own speech Is forever silenced and he can bt
no more heard except through the fidelity and thu
love OF surviving friends; From the beginning /,
the end OF the controversy he 30 much deplored
| the president was never for one moment aetuatet
by any motive Of gain TO himself or Of loss Il
others Least OF all men did he harbor revenge
rarely did he even show resentment, and malic
was not In his nature. lie was congenially EN-
ployed only In the exchange OF good offices ant
the doing OF kindly deeds.
There was not an hour, from the beginning o
the trouble till the fatal shot entered his body
when the president would not gladly for the SAX
OF restoring harmony, have retraced any step h
had taken, II such retracing had merely involved
consequences personal 10 himself The pride q
consistency, or any supposed sense Of humiliatio