The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-04-11
JAMES A. GARFIELD,
THE MAN AND THE PRESIDENT.
R,lIr,ou. Life and Character Of the Murdered
President As Seen By his iatInat. Friend and
PG.tor-HIs BaslIn,ss aud Devotion to
Duty -Issldsnts Of his Life.

Only small audience assembled at the
Disciples church last evening to hear The
lecture by Rev. Frederick D. Power, Of
Washington, on "The Religious Life and
Character OF James A. Garfield" The talk
was one OF the NEST interesting heard In the
city from public platform in many years,
The speaker Is man OF graceful presence
and good voice, aud his manner Of delivery
was always pleasing, while at times he was
truly eloquent. lie spoke from an intimate
knowledge OF his subject, having been per,
sonal friend OF Garheld's for years, and
pastor Of the church at which he worshipped
while III Washington, both before and alter
his election 10 the Presidency. The title oil
the lecture was borne out by the manner oil
the discourse which dwelt on bis devotion
10 the church and 10 religion, his conscien'
tiousness and his iaithfulness to all duties
public and private. Yet his other personal
traits and characteristics necessarily came In
for good share OF attention, and the talk
was In no sense preachy or tedious, being
enliyened by anecdotes aud references tc
we'll K. own events In his life.
An entertaining story was told Of the day.
when Andrew Johnson was President, and
was at swords points with his party. Garfield
was then a member Of the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes, and be and Judge Jere Black one
day called on the President and had u Ions
private interview. From this circumstance
rumor was spread that q political conspiracy
OF grave character had been formed between
an ultra Democrat, Nm incorporating he
publican and the political nondeseripL a
reporter called on Gen. Garfield 70 inquire
about this rum0r. Alter evading the matte
for some time, thus confirming the reporter
faith In the rumor, he admitted that con
spiracy bad been formed, but plead that l
would not be fair to bis co-conspirators 10 re
veal its nature. Being pressed Tor something
more definite, he at last said that the con
spiracy had for Its obi ect 10 secure the preach
ing OF the Gospel IN Washington 10 the sec
called the Disciples OF Christ. The reporter
Wilteb. Judge Black. Gen. Garfield and Presi
dent Johnson were all members OF the com
munion Of Disciples.
A good brother In the West once wrote Il
Mr.. Power regarding the report that whet
Garfield went to Washington he was met a
the depot by Col. Ingersoli, and saluted hin
with, Hello, Bob" The writer hoped thi
was not true, or II true that Garfield woult
repent, Mr.. Power answered that 1t was re
corded that Christ was the friend OF publ
cans and sinners, aud once dined with met
Of that class. Tie lecturer added that be be-
lieyed Garfield was the only man who eve
spot TO Ingersoll on religious subjects will
the hope OF converting him, and that he one
said, "lngersoll, did you ever think that thi
can't always last? You are In good health
and prosp rous now, and your family Is IL
good health. But suppose this should SOM
day not be st?
Then" said the great infdel, "therell b.
an easy way out"
uarfield had vein OF semi.superstition
| He used to refer TO the condolences between
bis own nomination and election and thos,
OF Lincolu. One day be said: Harrison wa
the first western man elected 10 the Presi
dency; that was In 1910. He died In th,
White House. Lincoln was cleo ed In 1850
twenty years after, and he was assassinatet
while President. was elected In 1880
what will become OF m.7' He seemed t
have q ioreboding OF his fate, aud often men
toned the coincidence that Lincoln wa
nominated and elected by the vote OF indiana
while In the convention II was the vote o.
Indiana, cast by grandson OF Harrison
upon which GarHpld's nomination turned
AMI the vote OF Indiana was decisive In hi
eli ction.
Numerous similar incidents interspersed
through the talk gave 1t an interest almes
fascinating, and 1t Is to be regretted that tbs
audience was not In size more iu keeping
with the charms OF the lecture.