New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-26
PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
soME PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES

70 the Edftor or Tte TrtbuHs.
SIR: 1t is impossible to measure men
accurately. The man OF the largest expert
encs makes the widest mistakes IAe last
time / ever visited Garfield in private capacity
was about weeks two months before the Chicago
Convention 1 arrived in Washington and It occurred
to me to go and him his house at the corner of
Franklin Square. He into the paIlor with his hat
in his hand. Said 1: 1 see you are going out" Yes,
he replied, have to 60 to execute commission for
constituent this morning. Walk along with me' We
went up the side of Franklin Square, and when got to
the corner OF rs and Fourteenth he turned TO the
north. SAID 7: Il Will go no further; whom win the
Republicans noninatef IL don't know" he replied
some say Grant say Blaine, some say Sherman"
Some say Garfield" said 81 don't know. Garfield
replied, stranger things than that have happened"
We shook hands and separated.
A man was sitting by not long ago
who had received favOIs from General Car
field and a third party having something say
70 the prejudice Of the dead President, my
acquaintance seemed TO hesitate. and finally
quiesced with his patrons enemy. thought 10
myself how weak we die! The moment die,
In the words Shakespeare the evil that have done
lives after little incident in my mind
trde as these linss which you read was at Gsrelds
house year before he made the Pres Dental
candidate; he said 10 me: Friend there Is one thing
find cannot do and that Is TO keep alive my resent
mentsD I use the word friend in order to be monde
script He came forward then and slapped me the
knee He was familiar man. because had been
more years making his acquaintance and he had
only begun TO slap the hnee the gear before he
died. Said /: For instance GeuerslF Said he:
There was one man thought never ought 10 forgiven
that mr. self-respect would not permit IT,;
her" said he Colonel Cr1nke sfnklef' Very WE'LL"
sGsneralv said L. He abused me" resumed Garfield,
30 outrageoasy. considering my past relations with
him. that thought my pride would never allow TO
speak him again But was going down the street
n IL.
toward me- stinened my spine and said: l will now
pass that man without recognition. But my resOla
tsn only kept up till arrived Just opposite him
found not In my heart 10 him An irresistible
impulse came TO me 10 wheel my heel, and said:
'wfnkie, you Old scoundrel. your" said
him: General you let men OF that kind play with Jon
too much" Said he: 81 cannot remember injuries"
One morning the came TO me that he shot by
coward the coward getting his Inspiration
political desperadoes thought to myself: Forgive
ness 10 sometimes weakness"
The next place whore Garfield in the Pacific
Hotel at Chicago. moving with OF the Ohio del
egates. was impressed with his countenance, which
was as weak a about to deliver a lecture
or graduating speech al college. shook hands with
him, and being myself in a very worldly occupation
remarked dispatch sent that night from Chicago:
81 have Garfield His taes is like jube paste
II WAS very easy write those words, but little while
afterwsrd would have given much to recall them.
Ipassed through curlons Of that Convention
saw Garfield come In every dag and be applsuded.
heard him noin sherman in speech which attracted
the respect Convention altogether better than
amp that delivered. Then / the deadlock
and finally Garfield get the nomination and heard
him rise and refuse 1t; then the banners waving
and conyergng together and what seemed TO be impos
sibie accomplished. Then the campaign arse
when thought there but little hope for Garfield,
ana saw the state OF Maine leave the Republican fold
and 1t seemed that everything was gone Till one
rnnIu lnR FnEa of.A yrA
Republican Then felt that destiny breeze
sat wthin i've feet OF Garfield when he delivered his