Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-03-08
(Continued from LIST Page. J

Continued from LIST Page.
PRESIDENT was never for one moment &C
mated bv anv motive of gain to himself
ar of loss t. others. Least ofall men did
Inc harbor revenge, rarely did he even
show resentment, and malice was not In
his nature.
The religions element in Garfield,
character was deep and earnest. In his
carly Youth he espoused the falth OF the
DISCIPLES. a sectof that great Baptist COM
munion which, in different ecclesiastical
establishments, is so numerous and SO IN
gfuetial throughout all parts Of the United
Ststes. But the broadening tendency OF
his mind and his active spirit OF IN
quirv were early apparent, and carried
him beyond the dogmas of sect and the
restraints of association. In selecting
college in which to continue his educa-
ton bel rejected Bethany, though pre-
sided over bv Alexander Campbell, the
greatest preacher of his church. His
reasons were characteristic; first, that Bet
many leaned too heavily toward slavery;
and, second, that himself Disciple, and
the son of Disciple parents, he had III
tie acquaintance with people of other be-
lief. and he thought it would make him
more liberal, quoting his own words,
both in his religious and general views,
TO gointo new circle and be under new
influences. The liberal tendency viii ch
he anticipated as the result OF wider cul-
eure was fully realized. He was emancl-
rated from mere sectarian belief, and
with eager interest pushed his investiga-
tons in the direction of modern progress
i've thought.
On the morning of Saturday, July I'd,
the President was contented and happy
Gnan-not in an ordinary degree, but joy
FULLY, almost boyishly happy. On his
way to the railroad station, to which he
drove slowly, in conscious enjoyment of
the beautiful morning, with an unwonted
sense of leisure and keen anticipation
<sf pleasure, his talk was all in the CRATE
fIl and gratulatory vein. He felt that
after four months of trial his administra-
ton was strong in its grasp OF affairs,
strong In popular favor, and destined to
ROW stronger; that grave difficulties con-
:4een safely passed, that trouble lay be-
hind him and not before him; that he was
soon to meet the wife that he loved, now
recovering from an illness which had but
safely dlsquieted and at times almost I'M
gserved him; that he was going to his AL
aaa Mater to renew the most cherished as
.ociations Of his young manhood, and to
4sxchange greetings with those whose
teepeniug interest had followed every
~sep of his upward progress from the day
te entered upon his college course until
Ae had attained the Hottest elevation in
ne gift of his countrymen. Surely if |
tappiness can ever come from the honOrs |
~ triumphs Of this world, on that quiet |
July morning James A. Garfield may !
we'll have been happy man. No fore |
'odfng of evil haunted him; no slightest |
.Eemonition of danger clouded his sky. |
dis terrible fate was upon him in an in-
-tant One moment he stood erect, strong
aafdent in the years stretching peace
ally out before him. The next he Law
raunded, bleeding helpless, doomed to
weary weeks of torture, to silence and
he grave.
Great in life he was SURPRISINGLY great
IN death. For no cause, in the very
renzy OF wantonness and wickedness, by
he red hand of murder, he was thrust
saun the full tide of this worlds interest,
fvsan its hopes its aspirations its victories
ase the visible presence OF death and
"a. did not quail. Not alone for the one
slaFf moment in which, stunned and
sazpd, he could give up life, hardly aware
Il it's REIMBURSEMENT, but through days
{ deadly langour, through weeks of
znsy, that was not less agony because
-lkently borne, with clear sight and calm
assrage, he looked into his open grave
,Fhat blight and ruin met his anguished
VS., whose lips may tell-what brilliant
rsken plans, what baf1ed, high ambi-
iazs, what sundering of strong, warm,
a4nheod's friendships, what bit er rem
..sefing of household ties! Behind him
ss,ssad and expectant Nation, a great host
fSNxiaining friends, a cherished and
G:aqpy mother, wearing the full, rich hon
rs OF her early toll aud tears; the wife of
is youth, whose whole life lay in his;
he little boy not yet emerged from child
s4sd's day of frolic; the fair young
laughter; the sturdy sons just springing
.af, closest companionship, claiming
tserv day and every day rewarding a
faEler's love and care; aud in his |
heart the eager, rejoicing power to meet
III demand. Before him, desolation and
e,7sat darkness And his soul was not
.shzken His countrymen were thrilled
,Sah instant, profound, and universal
-gmpathy. Masterful in his moral weak
.sasSs, he because the center of nations
se,enshrined in the prayers of world.
Sat all the love and all the sympathy
.rssuId not share with him his suffering,
He trod the wine press alone. With un-
sSltering front he faced death. With I'M