Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-03-03

Vollon, ana every waking thought WAS
gwen to her advancement. He was an
Anne rican IN all his aspirations, and he
loe ked to the destiny and influence oil
the United States with the philosophic
composure of Jefferson and the DEM
onstratiye 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 consti-
tutlonal 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
tlous service in the house. Detail is
not needful, and personal antagenism
shall not be rekindled by any word ut
tered to-day. The motives of those op-
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-
yiving friends: From the beginning to
the end of the controversy he so much
deplored, the president was never for q
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 congenlally 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 sub
Jcct to such influences from within or
from without. But after most anxious
elaboration and coolest survey of all
the circumstances, he solemnly be-
heved 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
'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, immoyable in his
conclusions.
TIE religious clement in Garfield's
character was deep and earnest. In
his early youth he espoused the faith
of the Disciples, a 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
broadening tendency of his mind and
his active spirit of inquiry were early
apparent and carried him beyond the
dogmas of sect and the restraints of as
ISOLATION. In selecting a 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: first, 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 new circle
and be under new influences.
The liberal tendency which he an
hcipated 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 followed with quickening step in
the paths of exploration and specula-
ton SO fearlessly trodden by Darwin,
by Huxley, by Tyndall, and by other
living scientists of the radical and add
vanced type. His own church, binding
its disciples by no formulated creed
but accepting the old and new tesla
ments as the word of God with unbiased
liberty of private Interpretation. ia
eored, If it did not stimulate, the spirit
Of investigation. It's members profess
with sincerity, and profess only, to be
ot one mind and one faith with those
who Immediately followed the Master,
md who were first called christians at
Antioch.
But however high Garfield reasoned
Of "fixed fate, free will, fore-knowl- |
edge absolute" he was never separated |
rom the Church. of the Disciples in
his affections and in his associations.
For him it held the ark of the cove |
lant. To him it was the gate of heaven. |
The world of religious belief is full of !
olecisms and contradictions. A phil
sophie observer declares that men by
he thousand will die in defense of a
reed whose doctrines they do not COM
and whose tenets they hab-
tually violate. 1t is equally true that
nen by the thousand will cling to
hurch organizations with instructive
nd undying fidelity when their belief
n maturer years is radically different
rom that which inspired them as
eophytes.
But after this range of speculation.
nd this latitude of doubt, Garfield
anne back always with freshness and
eight to the simpler instincts of relig-
Jus faith, which, earliest implanted,
Ongest survive. Not many weeks be-
ore his assassination, walking on the
anks of the Potomac with friend,
nd conversing on those topics of per-
0nal religion, concerning which noble
atures have an unconquerable reserve,
e said that he found the Lords PRAYER
nd the simple petitions learned IL in
lncy infinitely restful to him, not
lerely in their stated repetition, but in
lelr casual and frequent recall as he
ent about the daily duties of life. Ger
lin texts OF scriptures had a very
.rong hold on his memory and ON his
cart. He heard, while in Edinburgh
,me years ago, an eminent Scotch
reacher who prefaced his sermon with