Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-03-09

much might be done by MS aQm1nls-
tration towards restoring harmony be-
tween the different sections 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 few
weeks later to find that ne could not go
to South Carolina to attend the centen-
NAL celebration of the victory of the
Cowpens. But for the autumn he def
nitely counted on being present at
three memorable 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 Chatta-
nooga. He was already turning over
in his mind his address for each occa-
sion, and the three taken together, he
said to friend, gave him the exact
scope and verge which he needed. At
Yorktown he would have before
him the associations Of hundred
years that bound the south and north
in the sacred memory of q common
danger and common victory. At At
lanta he would present the material in
terests and the Industrial development
which appealed to the thrift and ine
pendence of every household, aud
which should unite the wv sections by
the instinct Of self-interest and selfde-
Tense. At Chattanooga he would re-
vive memories of the war, only to show
that after all its disaster and all its suf-
e.
greater, the union rendered indissolu-
bic, and the future, through the agony
and blood Of one generation, made
brighter and better for all.
Garfeld's ambition for the success Of
! lis 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
ennity. He believed with equal conf
dence that an essential forerunner to
new era of national progress must be
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
yu.. a conspicuous illustration Of what
ability and ambition may do under re-
publican institutions, he loved his
country with a passion of patriotic de-
votion, and every waking thought was
! given to her advancement. He WAS an
Anne rican N all his aspirations, and he
Looked to the destiny and influence Of
the United States with the philosuphic
composure of Jefferson and the dem
Onstrative conf Ience 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 consti-
tutiOnal administration of the federal
| government. 1t would be out of place
here and now to speak the language Of
the controversy: but tn" 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 8 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 Cpl
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
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 consequ 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 sub
jet to such influences from within or
from without. But after most anxious
elaboration 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 yigor, 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
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