Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-07
From the Lewiston Journal.
Elainc's Euloey of Garfield.

History is made every day, but not every day
stands out among Others In the calendar ,conspic-
nous in red letter But now and then comes a
day that IS noteworthy not only IN the history oi
year but also in the history of an epoch. Now
and then comes ali event In war or IN peace, IN
politics or IN craftsmanship. In literature or IN
oraiory. that the national annals cannot In jus
tee omit. The past twelve months have been
unusually full of events which the future hiSio-
rian will consider both IN their historic and In
their philosophical bearings on the career OF the
republic because they have bearing more than
superficial and deeper than the mere rubbish OF
the scribe. The assassination of Garfield and his
death and burial were events which not only were
in themselves exciting but significant. They
were a commentary on the development Of pOpu-
lar goyemmeniln the nineteenth century lnt it,
easy survival Of shocks which, twenty centuries
ago, would have prccipiiaied political chaos.
More than this, these events Werc the apOtheOSis
of individual character, the triumph Of great
soul and the uibutr of whole people Ia
the prominence of statcsmanship over
fncsse and OF integrity over intrigue. And
the nation does well 10 stop once more In
It's career OF money getting and law-inaking, and
in its highest capacity, in the Halls where Gar
field Won his fame to offer To his name the
best tribute OF is deliberate and calm after
thought. To pronounce these words the unani-
nous voice Of the people agreed upon one who
Stood nearest 10 Garfield IN the forum and in the
cabinet, one qualified by intellect by heart AMI
by culture, rightly 10 interpret and voice the
nations heartfelt euiOgium OF rs fallen chief.
Nor has the eX-Secreiary failed % meet the
0ly aniicpatons OF this historic occasion.
Mir. Blaine's cul0gy opens with an incisiye his
toiic sketch, a iii background for the son of Eng
lish-Puntan and French lluguenOl parents, who
found the tOw-path that led to the White House.
Garteld's early struggles with poverty, his anbi-
ton for, scholarship, his genius FOR work are then
- ss.NN HH. % -gNtHl. N.Ns
which he passed in seven years. from the College
platform 10 win hOnOrs IN professional scholarship,
in.arms and IN the national legislature. \ rapid
sketch OF the 3s,h Congress Is then given, aud
We are shown the coincidence of constituency
and leader. in the vigorous New England spirit of
the AshtaDula District and of the man whom II
chose 10 represent IL In Congress District that
repeatedly sent 10 the House such men ~ Gid
dings and Whiltlcsey.
The wide familiarity Of Sir. Blaine with plrlia-
meniary and constitutional history i cyinced in
the cOgent illustrations with which lac enrichcs
both his narrative and his argument. Garield's
career n a debater and leader in the House has
never been so well characterized as by Mr.Blaine.
Garfield on the floor Of the House never did so
well but that 1t seemed he could easily have done
better'-iS the contentious way IN which Alr.
Blaine reveals the secret OF success 10 all debate.
Gartield's chiyalTic fairness towards antagO-
mist, his exhaustive study VI public questions and
of principles underlying, are not oyerdrawn.
That Garfield could carry the House IS true; but
IL equally true that lac could 80 carry IL becasse
he never acted save on his own convictions.
He never undertook debate without the most
painstaking and conscientious equipment.
4 great debater is one man; great parliamen-
tary leader is another. What Mr. Blaine saws
on this point l. of interest, rs being the analysis
OF one who forgets that he is both great debater
and great parliamentary leader. The compar-
isou OF the parliamentary career ot Clay, Doug
lass aud Stevens, with that of Garfield Is striking.
"Iie could not do what they did, but lie could do
what they coui not
The manner in which Garfield carried himself
ia the opposition campaign OF detracton, which
proved a campaign OF yindica,ion, rs such CAM
paicns often do, is well remembered. Garfeld's
faith in the survival OF right ideas never lett him.
Through all that trying period, his carriage among
the people ard his uiteranceS, Watched and spied
As they were. never betrayed him, because they
came gu, of pure heart and Il clear head. Vi
tuperaiOn rebounded from such i target. IL is
hoped the mud-machine will never again be so
deliberately AID persistently employed by one
political party, 10 pull down the standard bearer
of lis Toe.
What President Garfield contemplated doing to
reform the civil service and nix the tenure ofoice
is what still needs 10 be done, and the scheme of
reform which the present administration has
received from its predecessor, is well worthy both
the executive and legislative debate which IL Is
receiving.
Those who anticipated that Mr.. Blaine would
forget the prophecies of the occasion and
utter one word that would he open TO just
criticism, respecting the events that preceded
the assassination the events which closely
followed the premier's retirement from the State
Department, wrongly judged Mr.. Blaine, as they
often do. Two brief paragraphs in the address
constitute the only illusions which Mr.. Blaine
makes TO the old Conkling war aud
10 the foreign policy OF the eX-Secretary.
There is nothing in these paragraphs that Is ag-
gressiye or retaliatory In the former Mr.. Blaine
epitomizes the foreign policy of Garfield. His
anxiety was TO build up American commerce and
10 do what he might on this continent 10 beat the
sword into a ploughshare and the spear into the
pruning hook. 10 this end he harbored the idea
of Congress of American republics and the
kindly interposition Of our government 10 prevent
continued bloodshed in the South American States.
Mr. Blaine's illusions to the contest with Mr..
Coukling are reserved and in the best OF temper,
chasened by an obvious desire TO yindicate
rather than TO punish. We are assured by these
words that not one act Of Garield's in the matter
of his appointments 10 office was inspired by ami
mostly and that the late President was only too
ready TO Weld and 10 surrender when principle
was not involved. mo pride of consistency
ever kept Garfield from fair play. II Is fitting
that the embers of that old fire, now be suffered
TO repose.
Mr.. Blaine closes his euiogy with an appreeia-
tive tribute to the religious element in Garheld's
character The late President was close
student OF the Scriptures. He well knew the
| richness both of the literary and the spiritual
| Iegacies which prophets and evangelists of the
| two dispensations have left us IL was because
| he had so deeply OWNED their inner spirit and
was SO deeply read between the lines that Garfield,