Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-11
MIR. BLAINE'S MAGNIFICENT EULOGY
ON THE DEAD PRESIDENT.

THE DAY IN WAsHINGToN-GATH ALTERING AT TIKI
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES GUEsTs---THT
SPLENDID ADMINISTRATIONS OF THF
ORATOR EFFECT OF THE ORATIoN-MINoH
INCIDENTS.
The last great national tribute was paid to
the memory of James A. Garfield in the Hall
of the House of Representatives February
9th, in the presence of thousands, including
sage and statesman, wit and beauty, the
intelligence and wealth of the country. There
has been but one other occasion to which it
may possibly be comparedthe spectacle of
the whole bod of loyal people crowding
around the bier OF the first martyred presi-
dent, the heroic Lincoln, The scene was i'm
pressive, and all through the city the solemnity
of the occasion was respected. Flags were at
half-mast, the public buildings closed at noon,
and other business was temporarily suspended
while the services were in progress. The
most magnetic orator of his time, who
has so ably filled great space in the tempo
rary history of his country, and who has been
speaker, SENATOR and secretary ct state, and
twice the candidate of an idoljzed constituency
for the presidency, was fact sufficient in
beyond its utmost capacity and, indeed, the
scene and the occasion was sufficient to attract
the most distinguished audience ever brought
together in ancient OF modern times.
SIMPLICITY OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
There was no pomp, show or display
Simplicity, marked feature of the late
Presidents career, characterized the whole.
There were no decorations, beyond the statioh-
ing of magnificent, 1ife-sized portrait OF the
President, by Andrews, over the Speakers
desk, where it could be seen, and was favor :
ably commented upon by all. The only other
unusual feature was the Marine Band, under
the direction of Professor Sousa, which shortly
after ten o'clock made its presence known by
the magnificent strains of Schubert's overture,
which, coming from the Speakers lobby in
which the band was stationed, vibrated
through the immense chamber.
The following extract from leading journal
gives the leading features of the Grafton,
which in itself, is too extended for our col
umn5
The Grafton of MIR. Blaine in memory of Gar
field was worthy of the subject and OF the
OCCASION 1t shows true appreciation of the
greatness of Garfield, and deals with it sin
cereIy. 1t deals very little IN praise, for the
orator seems to feel that the truest praise to
that large souled man, was to depict it truly.
If therefore, seems more an acute and subtle
ANALYSIS of the character of Garfield than a
eulocy upon him. Thus there is in reading
the Grafton none of the feeling which fulsome
nraise excitcs. He does not claim for his hero
any quality that was lacking in him, nor even
land unduly those traits which won him &c
fully the love of tho people. The reserve and
the sustained calm of Mr. Blaine's Grafton is
NOT the least admirable part of it. 1t comes
nm to the measure of expectation; for there
was greater danger that he would exceed the
limits of decorous emotion than fall below it.
His peril was, that in speaking of his deal
friend. of the political chief, of the victorious
leader, and ofthe martyr, his own persona,
rrief might have found an utterance too keeI
to harmonize with the august occasion. Yet
ahis peril he avoided.
THE lesser peril. that he would make this
funeral Grafton the vehicle of ideas out Of
harmony with the solemn scene, would have
been a slight one, but for the fact that there
wore some things which he justly though
onobt to be said. He would not have done
liz dutv to the great dead if he failed to say
hat Garfield, from first to last in his presi
Jential career, acted conscientiously, and tina
while he would personally have made con
cessions to harmony, he could not yield {
noint of principle As Mr.. Blaine gays ''Ht
believed this in all the convictions o
conscience when in sound and vigorous
ons health and he believed it in his suffer
mo and prostration, in the last conscious
thought which his wearied mind bestowed OF