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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartes, planchaa. tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A doe taux da rAduction diffArenta. Loraqua la document eet trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un aaul clichA. il eet filmA A partir da Tangle aupAriaur gauche, do gauche A droite. et do haut an baa, an prenant la nombre d'imagea nAcaaaaira. Lee diagrammea auhranta illuatrent la mAthoda. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^. i CANAOIAMA \ jeneral^Janjes* A.+Sarfleld * « PRESIDENT OF THE United States. I.J JAME8 A GARFIELD Of humble parentage, commenced life a Poor Boy, en- gaged as a Canal Hand and as a Clerk, soon became a Student, next a Teacher, a Professor, then President OF A College ; was chosen State Senator, volunteered to be a Soldier, was made a Brigadier General, pro- moted to Major Gemsral, elected to U. S. Congress where he showed himself a Statesman and became a Re- cognized Leader, and subsequently elected President of the United States of America. His rise in the world was Napoleonic. He climbed to the Pinnacle of Fame by herculean Energy and indomitable Will sup- ported by Inflexible Integrity. PRICE, TWENTY FIVE CENTS. PuldUlMd hy Frederick W. Johnson. GUELPH, ont. H. E. Bwl!p>ic<% Printer. Herald Office. i8Sf. \ a/3 tmmim "^i^^^^^^^B HO u ,i...... r:':)f PRESIDENT GARFIELD, OR. J^MMC* HOI THE SON OF A BAGEf OODSIiN, -BBCAMS &XJDJ3MSr T* — -OF THE- UNITED STATES. ^•**i ♦ ••- Like brilliant beacon on some headland bold, His fame shall shine adown the stream of time, And many time toss'd spirits shall look np, And courage take anew, when they behold The lambent flame, and grateful thank high Heaven That such a man as James A. Oarfield lived. GUELPH : Frederick William JohnsoQ, Publisher. 1881. GI8 BntoMd accortUng to Aet of PMrliunent of Canada in tbe year om UjoomimI eight hundred and eighty-one by William Johnaon, in the offlM d the Minlatwr of Agriculture. ■t> PBESIDENT GARFIELD. -•«♦- I sing a man, who, born in low estate, Amid the wild woods of America ; Rose step by step, by dint of honest toil And force of will, until he reach'd the top Of towering ambition's highest peak — Whence he surveyed the mighty commonwealth- Beneath hihi and around him on all sides. His early poverty, his school boy days, His first essays at doing for himself. His farm work and exploits on a canal. His service as a clerk, his teaching school — Attending an academy and then A college, where he graduated well ; His professorial work, his college lif<^ His presidency of a thriving college. His noble efforts in the cause of truth. His pulpit teachings, thrilling eloquence. Within the Senate of his native state — And warrior life when given a high command, His wondrous influence over other men, The martial fire he kindled in his troops — The iron discipline he exercised ; His famous victories in bloody fields. His congress life so singularly wise, His brilliant speeches in his country's cause, President Garfield. His elevation to the White House, where His pure administration he began ; His fall by vile assassin, his death bed, His patience, fortitude and resignation ; His death and funeral ; the s) mpathy Of all the English speaking nations, and Of many other peoples. Britain's Queen, The good Victoria and her court in weeds. Flags at half-mast in every seaport round The globe ; bus'ness suspended everywhere ; The great world's pause to look into his grave. The secret of this world-wide sympathy : The lessons we may learn — such be my theme. In sixteen thirty-six from Chester came. One Edward Garfield, and he settled down In Watertown in Massachusetts. There He lived and died, and there his bones repose, He and five lineal descendants. All Brave tillers of the soil — a sturdy race Of independent men, and of Jehova.i The humble worshippers. Content with what Kind Providence assign'd them they aspired To nothing higher than to till the soil ^rom Chester Edward came, or near that place But whether Wales or England was his home Tradition does not say. But it does say, That, on the ocean passage out, he fell In love with a fair, blooming German maid. And, honest man, he married her. 'Tis this Explains the German cast of countenance. Which all the Garfields^have. James used to say. President Garfield. :e "England is not the fatherland of all The English speaking people. Their real home And their real fatherland is Germany." Of Edward's family no, records telL Oblivion covers all their hidden fate. In "seventy-six," however, one of them. One Solomon by name, took him to wife A Sarah Stimson, and reniov'd to Weston, In the same State. His brother Abram too Bore arms in favor of the Colony, And fought at Concord. James' great grandfather, Was this same Solomon, who in the war Of the old Revolution fought. But all He won was glory. Being poor he mov'd His growing family to Worcester, Otsego county in New York. There he Took up a farm and hew'd him out a home. Thomas his son, begat Abram who was The obscure father of the President, About the first year in this century. ' Thomas sickened and died, leaving a youifg And tender family to battle with Adversity. So sickened also Abram His son, and died like as his father, when In early wedded life. The orphan boy Was taken by his father's friend, James Stone, Of West Hill, and by him rear'd as his own. The lad grew up to manhood, good and true — Was tall, broad shoulder'd, strong of sinew, large Of body and of bone. But like his peers He show'd no mark'd superiority Of mind over the youthfid ploughmen of His time. In his large brain no doubt there slept An undevelop'd force which circumstances President Garfield. Failed to call forth, elie he had been a Idng Of men — a nat'ral leader of mankind. But fetter'd by the iron linki of fate, This force in him awoke not. To his grave He went with hands harden'd by honest toil, But he was long remembered as a man Of sterling character, of kindest heart And broadest mind, and wise beyond his years. And showing knowledge. He had deeply thought On many subjects worthy of his mind. And of all thinking beings. Early he Became attached to one Eliza Ballou, A near relation to a great divine Of the same name. This woman in due time. Became the mother of the President, Who by her was related to that race That gave so many noble orators. To pulpit, bench and bar. Tradition says They are descended from a Huguenot, Who fled from France upon the Revocation Of the Edict of Nantes, and who, joining The infant colony of Roger Williams, Settled in Cumberland, Rhode Island. There They built ''The Elder Ballou meeting house,** A structure still remaining. There were taught The stirring doctrines of the Reformation With rarest eloquence. From this pulpit. The Ballous preach'd, to many generations. The truths of Scripture, and defiance hurl'd Against the bloody tyrants of old France. Tis often said that great men are the sons 01 mothers great, and sure it is, that from Prisidbnt Garpiild. [ht Eliia Ballou are deriv'd the most Of the great qualities which h^ - gieat son Inherited. No doubt he owed his brain And manly stalwart frame to his father, But to his mother he was deep in debt For energy untiring and for pluck Unyielding, and for earnest, patient courage. Which lifted him over all obstacles, However great and formidable — and Ones which would daunt the hearts of common men. Upon the ¥rall of Garfield's stately house In Washington, there hung a portrait which A stranger might mistake for that of Mary, Mother of Washington. It had the same Fine regular features — the same high, full Fjorehead— the same serene and spiritual eyes, Which have a sad intensity within Their clear pellucid depths, and the firm lines About the mouth reveal an eneigy And depth of feelmg noi seen on the face Of Mary Washington, to mem'ry dear. This face declares that she has hop^d and feared. And struggled in the conflict of her life. And that the conflict over, she came off Victorious. Eliza Ballou's face " Ix is, and it reveals that she has raised Her son and largely made him what he was. Her principles, drawn from the sacred page. And personality, have moulded his Fine character, and shaped his whole career ; And the great deference he felt for her. When yet a boy, dung to h^m all his life. President Garfield. Her influence was to him, in his toils, An inspiration and a presence, which Braced all his nerves for hi^'hest, noblest deeds. His parents were not wedded long ere they Removed to fair Ohio, where they liv'd, And or a little farm of eighty acres Erected a log cabin and commenced To turn the forest into well tilled fields. It was a wood primeval. Settlements Were few and far between. All else was wild. His fother there a hut of logs piled up. Some twenty feet by thirty feet in size, Rough logs they were, with nigged bark and moss Beladen, and the door was plank swinging Upon stout iron hinges — and the windows, . But three, and small at that — and the deal floor. Hewn smooth with axe, and the roof overhead, Covered with oaken clapboards held in place *By long weight poles. Between the mossy logs Were chinks of wood, and every aperture Was filled with clay. One wooden chimney rose Alternate wood and mud, pyramidal In shape. Tho' built of wood and mud, it was A annfortable house. In summer cool In winter warm. It held no second rank To any other in the country side. Within these humble walls was Garfield bom. In eighteen hundred thirty-one, and on The nineteenth of November. At that time His eldest sister was eleven years, His brother nine, his second sister seven. The child was named James Abram. Ere two years /. President Garfieed. Had pass'd, the father died. The manly form, The strong, broad-breasted man who won the bread These children ate, was borne out of the door, And privately interred beneath the sod Of his own wheatfield where he rests in peace. Between her babes and stark starvation, she, The mother, interposed her fragile arms ; She threw them round her little household and Bravely prepar'd to meet the wintry storms. That fast were coming. On the winter came. It was a cold, hard winter. She alone With her four children in the wilderness, Endur'd the rigors of that dismal time. The snow lay deep o'er all the hills. The knots Upon the trees exploded with the frost. Like loud reports of muskets. Oft by right She and her little ones could hear the wolves Howling in concert wild around their hut. And oft before the door the panther's wail And moan, like infants' feeble wailing cries Fell on her startled ear and frighten'd her. Then would she closer to her draw her babes. And ask the widow's God to be her Friend. The dreary winter passed at length, and spring Appear'd, but brought no weather fair for them. She was not only poor, but deep in deoi.. Which must be paid. This made the future dark For stem adversity star'd in her face. But this brave woman went to work. She sold Some fifty acres of her scanty farm And with her little children till'd the rest. The older boy was Thomas, only ten lO President Garfield. Years old. He hired a hoi se and plowed and soVd A little field. His mother split the rails And built the fences, handling well the axe, But the great maul, erst swung by stalwart arms, . For her was far too heavy. She could raise It to her shoulder, and when she did strike Therewith, she reel'd and fell with ev'ry blow. But on she struggled with her manly toil, And soon the fences were complete and all The little field was sown in order good. Months had to pass ere harvest time came round, And in the meantime she beheld disma/d Her stock oi com fast running low. So she That evening measur'd out the com and made '^ An estimate oi what the children ate, And went to bed without her evening meal. For weeks she did the same. But the children Were young and growing, and their little mouths Were larger than the measure she had taken. So after a while she spared her dinner too. One meal a day, was all she had, and she A weak and fragile woman ! Think of this Ye thankless daughters of a well fed age, And let your pity reach the starving poor. No wonder *twas that by her children she Revered and loved was as few mothers are. Glad harvest came at last and famine fled, And ne'er with hungry jaws look'd in again Upon thir lonely widow and her children. Soon ne^.age, He spoke in small religious meetings and Ere long became well-known the country round, As eloquent exceedingly. He had Few equals anywhere in this respect His scholarly and thoughtful manner was Adorn'd with earnestness and honesty Of speech. He did not stab nor torment with His tongue and rend the wounds he gave. He dealt not in fantastic flights of words, 36 President Garfield. Nor in exaggerated rhetoric, But won his way to favor where all foiled, For he carried the conscience of the crowd. But tho'he speeches made in meetings and Betimes adom'd the pulpit of a friend. He never thought to make it his life work. But he looked forward to the time when he Should be a lawyer, read in legal lore. While pushing on his studies in the Coll^;e, He studied law and was admitted to The rank of an Attorney. When three years Were spent at William's Qollege, whither he Had gone when he was able to enter That Institution and matriculate. The western carpenter and teacher met With many shocks in the new sphere, in which He entered now. Upon all sides he felt The great superiority of all The students who assembled there. They had no awkward habits, and their speech Was free from sRouth phrases and their clothes Were not by vfllage tailors made. Their free Expendituivkfif cash contrasted great With his HBwiltul parsimony. In His warm and gen'rous heart these matters weie Not merely petty annoyances to him ; They were a source of keenest anguish. But He bore up bravely, held first place in class, And after two more years of study bore Full well hit reputation for hard work And sterling honesty, a first-dass man. He had now sav'd by jobbing, mom and eve^ President Garfield. 37 Sufficient to defray all expenses At College^ when to it was added wliat Kind Providence provided for his wants. In this wise. A kind hearted gentleman, Who had observed his progress and career, iDffei'd to lend him all he needed for His course, to be advanced from time to time As he requir'd it. Garfield on his part Insured his life in favor of his friend And, handing him the policy, told him To take it. If he liv'd he'd pay him all And, if he died, no loss should be incurred. He ready was to start, but whither go ? That was the query. He had written to Brown, Yale, and William's Universities And answer had from each. Short business notes* But that from Williams Collegegreatly pleas'd him, For President Hopkins wrote, if he came To Williams he would be happy to do All he could for hun. These were friendly words, And they decided him to study there. So when the three long terms were done, he bore Away the prize of Metaphysics — one Of higbest honor in the College, and Obtained his first degree. He is described By one who knew him at that early time, . As a tall, awkward youth, with a great shock Of light hair, rising quite erect upon His high^ broad forehead, and with a visage Kindly and thoughtful, and which showed no trace Of his long struggles with adversity. His class-mates spoke of his prodigious and Incessant industry and cordial ways, And of his zest for all the physical 38 President Garfield. Pastimes and exercises of the students. He then became distinguish'd in debate^^ Most ready and effective of all those Within the college walls. A specimen Of what was his ability is told, How when Charles Summer had been stricken down In Senate Chamber by one Brooks, 'tis said A student's indignation meeting met, When the news came that the foul act was done. Amongst the students, he attended it And mounting the platform he forthwith spoke The most impassion'd fervent speech e'er heard Within old Williams. But ill news arriv'd. ' His bounteous friend became embarrass'd and •No longer could assist him ; so he wrote To hk^ good friend the Doctor, who had pa '>s'd So favorable a judgment on his powers Five years before, who sent him what he ask'd And offer'd to send more, if he should need it. So Garfield drew on him occasionally. Until he ended his collegiate course At twenty-five. He graduated with High honors, as I sang before, and all He had was a few threadbare clothes. His College text-books, his diploma and Four hundred dollars debt and fifty more. But being in good health, and lithe and strong In mind and body, he was splendidly equipp'd * For entering on his life work, nor was long In finding scope for his activities. He was at once elected teacher of Latin and Greek at HiranL Poor and much In debt the Institution was when he President Garfield. «« ^ Began his duties there. But he spent ^11 His energies in building it upon A sure foundation. He became renown'd As teacher far and wide, and students came From ev'ry quarter, and the College throve. The President of Williams College said Long afterwards that Garfield's College life Was perfect, pure and worthy eulog)\ • ''It was a noble College Life,'' he said, ** There were no silly tales about him told Of meanness or low cunning. All was high And noble and manly in his life. He gave Sure promise then of what he would become In after life when grappling with the world." The learned President then volunteer'd This sage remark : — "The youth who nqbly goes Thro* college course without exhibiting One mean dishonest trait and then goes out And lives in such a way as to impress Mankind that he's been true in all places. And at all times must be an honest man. And overwhelming great the proof must be To convince me' that such a student has Forsaken the right path he trod so long." Thus he bore out the speech of Wellington At Eton when he said, "The victory Of Waterloo was won upon this ground !" It was while teaching here he wedded her Lucretia Randolph, who soon prov'd herself A most efficient helpmate in his work. In all his college duties. Hard he toil'd, But could not have gone thro' half of his woik ¥> President Garfield. Without hc^ aid and that of a good firiend, Ahneda Booth, for at this very time He lectur'd on Geology and held Debater :n subjects of great public worth, Addiess'd large audiences on Sundays and Heard recitations of six classes daily. Besides attending to financial matters. Thus busy was he, and besides all these He studied for the Bar. Thos*; noble women Assisted him in all these studies and This toil ; in all his speeches and lectures, RansacW the library for matter for him. Collected facts and mark'd the books to be Referred to in the evening, when he wrote Out his discourse. 'Tis said that he displayed Most striking literary abilities, In this respect and many of his works Evinc'd a wondrous mental calibre. His mind retain'd and relish'd all he read. And he read much. Omnivorous of books. Of history and general literature. He grew gigantic in his intellect All looked on him as marvellous in both His industry and application, so Much so, that ere one year went round He was diily appointed President Of Hiram Institution — ^which he held Until the outbreak of the civil war. The Institute soon felt his industry ; It prosper'd very much and held high rank Among the Western Colleges. Tis said That h^ was also fond of exercise, And would disport upon the green. Of fun President Garfield. He had fiill share, and used to run upon The grounds and croquet with his pupils. He was a tall, strong man, but played not well — He was so awkward in his way. But now And dien he'd win a game. He muffed his ball And regularly lost his bat. He was Left handed too, which made him always seem More awkward still and clumsier. But he Was quick as flash and powerful. So all Could understand how he had once acquired The envied reputation of whipping The drivers and boatmen on the canal. And made himself the hero of that place Some ten years earlier. He much endeared Himself in CoUege to the youth he taught He called them by their Christian names and kept On most familiar terms with all of them. With them he freely play'd. They on their part When out of class were his associates, And yet he was most strict. He enforced his rules And bated not a jot in discipline. He was most firm and yet affectionate If he would speak to one reprovingly He would so kindly take his arm and draw The youth aside and reason with him and His way of shaking hands was very strange, In doing so he'd quietly twist the arm And draw his friend close to him. In this way . He made him friends. This sympathetic mode One secret was of his advancemuit great He lov'd'to reach a hdping hand to all Deficient in their education, or Theur breeding, and would kindly talk to them . 42 President Garfield. And try to raise their self-respect and lead Them gently forward in their onward course. He was a very close observer and Encours^d it in others. Hundreds heard His wise suggestions, teachings, counsels and Encouragements. He was a stimulus — An inspiration to them. He did most Inspire and encourage the young by his Own native force of character and pow'r Of intellect His private life was spotless. Malignity died in his presence and Ne'er charged him with the taint of wrongfulness. His great integrity unquestioned was by all Tis true he had warm feelings and fervid Imagination and intense purpose. By means of which his burning eloquence Electrified the masses of mankind. His public speeches and addresses on Religious subjects and morality, Did make him known extensively throughout The distcict, where he was regarded as A most respectable and leading man Amid the stirring times before the war. Before the war his thoughts and energies Had been engrossed in his most useful work As educator of the youth of his Own land, but his political pulses Began to beat when first he heard the news Of Kansas and Nebraska legislation. In it he saw the conflict of freedom With slavery. Attempered as he was He soon became involv'd and whirled into The mighty conflict of the struggling nation. President Garfield. 45 That conflict was the birthday of the great Republican party, whobe aims appeal'd To his manhood, his judgment, feelings and Imagination. He at once enroll'd *~ Himself amongst the speakers and forthwith Became its most effective advocate. He knew that long familiarity With trafKc in the bodies and the souls Of men, had paralysed the conscience of A great part of his fellow citizens. The baleful doctrine of State sovereignty He felt had weakened all the noble strength Of the National Government, and he Beheld the grasping hand of slavery Seiz g the virgin territories of The fertile West, and dragging them into The den of brutal bondage. Then arose The great Rej)ublican party, which drew Its life out of the fires of liberty. These fires which God had deeply kindled in Each human heart and which may smoulder long, Beneath the heaps of vulgar ignorance And tyranny, but cannot be destroyed. The anti-slavery party rose to save The country, and by it alone he thought New territories might be kept secure And not become new scenes of slavery And thus be lost to freedom. Thus he felt And thus he spoke. It was no wonder then Republicans of Portage and Summit Counties should fix on him their certain choice As representative in the State Senate. It was no wonder that young Garfield was 44 Prrsidbnt Garfield. Elected by a large majority, And tho' but eight and twenty years of age Ranked high as an extremely well informed And powerful debator. When the South Seceded from the North, his voice was heard His words outspoken. Thus he was engaged When the hostilities began. Twas he, Who, when the President did call for five And seventy thousand men, sprang to his feet Within the Senate Chamber and amidst A wild tumult of acclamation mov'd That twenty thousand troops and three millions Of morey be the quota of the State. So when the time to raise the troops came round He was requested by the Governor To take command of one of the Reg'ments, Thus t it from six to eight Long hours per day until all did admit That his was the b2st drilled regiment In all the North. While thus he was employ* J By Buell; he was suddenly ordered President Garfield. 47 To make a forward move to Catlettsburg, Kentucky, by the way of Cincinnati — A town located at the junction of Big Sandy and Ohio rivers, and Report immediately in person to Head quarters, then at Louisville. He did As order'd and was told by Buell that He should be sent against General Marshall, Of the Confederation, who had march'd His hostile forces o'er the limits of Eastern Kentucky from Virginia, And had advanced to friendly Prestonburg, Driving the Union forces on before Him, for Marshall had entered the old State By Pound Gap, and had fortified a strong Position near Paintsville, and with his bands Was affecting the whole Piedmont distri^i. Than Massuchusetts larger far. It waa Peopled by twice t«vo thousand negroes and One hundred thousand whites, a hardy, brave And rugged population ; wlto, few schools. Less churches, and one newspaper did boast. Amongst these simple people Marshall stood Scatt'ring his firebrands and his orations At ev'ry cross road ; falsely told them that Kentucky was clean swept o"t of the Union. To Garfield was committed the great task Of driving these incendiaries out. Extinguishing the conflagration they Had made, and thus reclaim the prostrate State. Task difficult it was. To him who from His youth had struggled hard with poverty And adverse circumstances, and who had Entirely trusted Providence t-^ guard Him, it was not so very difficult. 48 President Garfield. How many Marshall had in his command Was yet unknown, but it was widely known That he was gathering in an army of. The country people and would soon have force To hang on BuelFs flank and keep him out Of Tennessee ; or, if he did advance Would fall upon his rear, while Beauregard Met him in front, and he should be outdone. Kentucky would be lost— the Union too Be gone forever. God forfend the cause. To check this dangerous advance, to meet Marshall, a thorough, educated soldier ; To rout the uncounted hordes he gathered from The country round. To oppose this mighty force* The inexperienc'd Ohio Colonel Was offered what ? Why, only twenty- five Hundred men when all told, of whom eleven Hundred men were in charge of Col'nel Cranor, Stationed at Paris, five score miles away, And all the intervening distance was A hilly country quite impassable. It was infested by Guerillas and Largely unblest by a disloyal people. Said Buell : — "See this is what you've to do. Drive Marshall from Kentucky. You now see How much depends upon your action. Go To- quarters over night and hither come At break of day and tell me how youll act. Returning to his lodgings, Garfield bought A rough-made map of old Kentucky and, Shutting himself within his room, he spent Moit of that night in studying the map. And making notes of plans occurring to him As leasable. Thus pass'd the night Atbreidc President Garfield. 49 Of day his interview with Buell, his Commanding officer, was one of great And striking interest. The young man laid His map and roughly outlined plan upon The tabic and expUin'd his mode of war. • The reticent old Gen.^I l:c*?n'd to His whole discourse and well digested plan, Nor gave a look or word expressive of His. own opinion of it He did speak But now and then in a sententious way, And disapprov'd not, nor did he approve. But simply said, " Your orders will be sent To you at six o'clock this evening.'' At That hour the order came, organizing The Eighteenth Brigade of the army of Ohio, Col'nel Garfield to command And with the order came a letter, writ In Buell's own hand-writing, giving full Directions for the ensuing campaign, And recapitulating Garfield's plan With very few modifications. Next * Day, he took leave of Buell, who thus spoke : " You will be at so great a distance and Communication will be difficult, So I must trust all matters of detail And much of this campaign to your discretion. I hope to hear a good account of you." Garfield set out at once for Catlettsburg, And there arriv'd without the loss of time, And found his Regiment had onward mov'd Some eight and twenty miles up the Big Sandy. A state of great alarm prevail'd throughout The district, for the Fourteenth Regiment, Which had been station'd at Louisa, had so President Garfield. Retreated hastily down to the mouth Of the river only two days before, Believing Marshall and his whole command Was in pursuit to drive them from the State. The Unioii citizens and families Were making preparation to cross over The river for their safety. When they saw The safe arrival of the little army A feeling of security retum'd, Which was increased when gladly they beheld The Union troops push boldly to Louisa, Without ev'n waiting for their CoFnel, who Was hastening at that time to overtake them. This was pursuant to his orders. He Had telegraphed them to move on and he Would overtake them. Garfield kept his word. Arriving at Louisa on the twenty-fourth/ Thenceforward he became chl'f actor in A drama which, taking it all in all. Surpasses ev'n the deeds of heroes old, m Whose names are famous in th' historic page. He had two difficult feats to accomplish — To hold communication with the twelve Hundred in charge of Col'nel Cranor, while The country intervening was o'errun By roving armies of guerillas, and By a disloyal people, and he had To form a junction with that force, beneath The very scowl of Marshall, who would try To hinder such a movement. Both were feats Most difficult, if not impossible. The first thing to oe done was to hunt up Some true, trustworthy messenger to take President Garfield. S» Dispatches to and fro between himself And Cranor. Col'nel Moore of the Fourteenth Kentucky Regiment, well knew the manr ** Have you a man/' asked Gai(ield,« ' who will die Rather than fail, or than betray us ?" The Kentuckian thought but a moment and Replied : " I think I have. John Jordan from The head of Blaine." Jordan was sent for. He A tall, gaunt, sallow fellow,thirty years Of age, with small grey eyes of keenest glance, . A fine falsetto voice in minor key And speech evincing, mountain dialect. His face wore strange expression^: beyond count. And showed a combination of cunning. Simplicity, undaunted courage and Undoubting faith. While he might pass fot fool Or simpleton, he had a wisdom which, If cultured rightly, might have made him famous. Him Garfield sounded thoroughly, for all — The fate of all depended on his faith. The man was. true as steel. His open heart Seem'd clear as crystal and this Garfield saw. Jordan was born among the hills whose grass Grows thin among the rocks — >yhose people poor Have sharpened wits made keener by their toil And poverty. He knew but little save What he learned from the great book of nature And from that other Book, yclept divine. So he grew up a man of noble instincts And capable of doing service to The State. The following conservation then Took place between him and his General : " Why did you come into the war ?" " I came to da 52 President Garfield. My sheer fur my deer kentry, Gin'ral, and I didn't druv no bargip with the Lord I guv my life squar* out and ef He is A mind ter take it on this tramp, its His'n.'' " You mean that you have come into this war Expecting not to come out of it ?" " That's So, Gin'ral." ^* Will you rather die than let Your commander's despatch be taken ?" " Yes, I wulL" Then Garfield thought of Providence which holds The sceptre of the world, and he made choice. " Sir, very well, I will confide in you !" Said Garfield, who wrote hi; dispatch on thin. Light tissue paper, roll'd it up like ball. Or bullet, and then coated it with lead And put it in the hand of this strange man. Besides he gave him a carbine, a brace Of pistols and a fleetest horse. The moon Went do^n, and off he rode by night upon His perilous adventure. When day dawn'd He hid in forests' depths till night —then on Again until in safety he arriv'd At Cranor's camp, who open'd the despatch. Thus, Jordon, after some hair-breadth escapes «And some terrific rVases, kept his word. The dispatch told how Cranor was to move His forces on to Prestonburg with all Speei. At the dawn of day his army was In motion. Jordan lay conceal'd till night And then return'd in safety. Garfield gave Command to his own army and they march'd Forward with all rapidity — for time To them was ev'rything, and need was great President Garfield. S3 I wulL" )Ids On Garfield's side, when re inforc'd by few. Twenty-six hundred men were all he had To fight the Union battle, Marshall had Upon the other side, five thousand men Who knew the country and its people well, And daily was receiving new recruits. '^ For Garfield to move forward was a risk, But forward he did move with only ten Days' rations for his fourteen hundred men. Toilsome and slow the march was at that time The roads knee deep in mire. Five or six miles A day was all the progress made^ At length They came within seven miles of Marshall's host Where they slept soundly on the colfl wet ground. At midnight Garfield v/as awaken'd by A man of very singular appearence, Who urged immediate audience. " Back again ?" " Have you seen Cranor ?" he inquired of him, " Yes, Gin'ral ; and he can't be mor'an two days Behind me now." '* God bless y^u, Jordan, you Have done us greatest service," Garfield said. ** I thank ye, Gin'ral, that's more pay'n I thought Of or expected," said the humble hero. Next morning came an intercepted letter From Marshall to his wife, which stated that He had five thousand men, twelve pieces of Artillery, and that he was daily Expecting an attack by (Jarfield's men, Who, he had ascertain'd, had a large force— At least ten thousand men at his command ! He secretly put by the letter, and Convened his officers and ask'd the question : \ 14 President Garfield. Shall we move on or wait till Cranor come ? And all said, " Wait/' save one, who said " Move on At once. Our fourteen hundred men can* whip Ten thousand base Confederates." Garfield Reflected for a moment, then gave word — " Well, forward 'tis !'' And forward march'd the men. Three sev'ral roads did lead to Marshall's host, One to the east, one to the west, a third Between the other two. All three were held By hostile pickets, while a Reg'ment lay At Paintville. Garfield to deceive the foe As to his real strength and aims, order'd A small detachment of his infantry To march ahfead and drive the pickets in And after them move swiftly, as if to Attack Paintville. Two hours thereafter, he Sent off a like force on the western road With the same orders. Two hours later on He sent another body up the road That lay between. The ruse succeeded well, For Marshall first concluded that the foe Was coming by the river road, so he Dispatch'd a thousand men to drive him back, Supported by a strong field battery. In two hours more he heard still further news — The foe was coming by the eastern road So countermands his orders with all speed To meet the unexpected danger there. . In two hours more the pickets were driven in Along the central route by Union men, Who finding Paintville left abandon'd, rushed Precipitately on the fortified Camp, and possession took of all it held. President Garfield. 55 re on men. Thus Marshall, seeing he had lost Paintville, Withdrew the thousand men to camp, and left The post for Garfield's occupation. Thus Affairs stood on the eighth of January When one of Marshall's spies arrived and told Him false that Cranor's force, three thousand and Three hundred strong, was distant but twelve miles. On hearing this the foe considered that He was outnumbered, struck his camp and fled Precipitately, burning and losing Most of his vast supplies. Seeing the fires Full blazing, Garfield mounted horse, and with A thousand men entered th' abandon'd camp. 'Twas nine at ni^ht He then sent off a force To harrass their retreat, while he awaited Cranor^s arrival, when he meant to go And offer Mashall battle at the dawn. The morning light brought Cranor, but his men. Footsore and hungry, bearing empty knapsacks, Completely worn out with their miry march. Could scarcely move one leg before another. But Garfield saw the moment big with fate Had come, and that delay was Sure defeat And orders gave to march. Seven hundred men From his own Regiment, and four hundred from Cranor^s, were all that answered to the call; The rest exhausted lay and could not move. At noon upon the ninth, they march'd away For Prestonburg, with cavalry ahead To chase the foe, in his hurried retreat. At nine that night the brave eleven hundred came To Abbot's Creek, three miles from Prestonburg ; While there he hears that Marshall is encamped \i I 5 :.J i i 56 President Garfield. On the same little stream three miles above. So he, throwing his men into bivouac, Communicates with Shelden, in command At Paintville, orders him to come along And bring his whole army with haste to fight The en'my in the morning.. That whole night He spent in learning all about the country And how old Marshall had disposed his men. That night a dozen of Confederates Were grinding at a mill hard by the camp And taken prisoners of war "by a Like number of the Union men. 'Twas said. The miller was both tall and gaunt, and his Long clothes well fitted Jordan, as his own. He smeared with flour his weird,'cameleon face. And looked the miller every inch. Off then He set for the Confederate camp. The night Was dark and rainy, making danger less. A midnight ramble brought him over all The camp fires of the en'my, who had made A stand upon a hill where he was posted. The hill was semicircular in form. And stood within the forks of Middle Creek. There too an ambuscade was deftly laid For Garfield. Both sides of the highway were Bristling with cannon, which commanded all The road, and which were hidden by the trees And underbrush. Low there he laid in wait To catch the Union Army. That dark night Was rainy, and the earth was wet and ^old, On which reposed the wearied Union ^len. A dense fog hid the moon and stars and all The lonely hill was draped in pitchy darkness. President Garfield. 57 Cold swept the north wind driving blinding rain Into the faces of the shiv'ring men. And stirring the dark pines and making most Sepiilchral music mid the lofty boughs. But the slow night at length departed and, By Jordon's cunning, Garfield knew full well Exactly how old Marshall plann'd his battle. At four next morning all the Union men Were roused from their damp earth beds, and cold And hungry order'd to move forward's. They Descended to the valley feeling at Each step for tokens of the enemy. About daybreak while passing round a fiill Which jutted o'er a valley the advance Guard met a sudden check, for they were charg'd Upon by cavalry in ambuscade. Forming his men into a hollow square. He gave the foe a volley which sent him Flying in wild confusion up the vale. Save one who plung'd headway into the stream And was captur'd. Soon it was evident The main force of the enemy was close At hand. So he forthwith prepar'd for battle. It was a trying moment. He was met By forces that greatly outnumber'd his. How to dispose his men — where to attack — These were the difficult problems he had To solve. He lost no time by indecision. He looked into the faces of his eleven Hundred and read the secret of each heart. Then went into the struggle. First he sent His mounted escort of twelve men to make A charge and draw the en'my's fire. This ruse i $8 President Garfield. Work'd well. Just as the little squad su !^t round A curve thev heard a shell burst at their feet And the long roll of musketry chim'd in Five thousand strong. The battle then began. Eleven hundred weary, footsore, hungry men Without one cannon charg'd along the hill — O'er stumps and stones and fallen trees, and high Intrenchments in the face of more than four Times their own number, all which men were in The best condition and prepared to fight. They had twelve pieces of artillery And ammunition for them in full store. It was the jplan of Marshall to destroy The Union army by an ambuscade, But Garfield acting with decision gave His orders that a hundred trusty men, Recruited fi-om his College should attempt To cross the stream and climb the bristling ridge And bring on the whole battle. Boldly they Into the creek did plunge up to their waists. Thence up the rocky steeps by clinging to The trees and underbrush. When half way up Two thousand rifies open'd on them. On They went fiU'd with enthusiasm. They hi sd From tree to tree and crag to crag until They reached the summit where the earth was grey With fierce Confederates, who rising from Their ambush pour'd into the little band A shower of bullets. Hesitating for A moment all the undergraduates Waver'd. Forthwith their leader cries alotid ''Betake yourselves to trees and rocks for shelter, And give them good as they send us, my boys.'' President Garfield. 59 >und igh jy So dodging in the lee of oakes and maples, They loi.ded rifles and return'd the fire. Tho' ten to one, the contest was severe. Exasperated by the northern bullets, Which were sent up with deadly aim from trees And brushes, all the Greys rush'd from their cover And charg'd with bayonets the College youths * Slowly retreating down the hill. A ciy Is heard proceeding from their leader brave : "Betake yourselves to trees and rock for shelter. And give them good as they send us, my boys, We may as well die here as in Ohio !" To stumps and trees they go, and instantly The advancing horde is check'd and then roU'd back. Up go the undergraduates in full Pursuit^and scores of Greys sprawl on the ground. Now, Garfield fjrom his post on neigh'boring hill Observed the Greys retreating and sent forth Five hundred troops to aid the little band. Into the stream, then up the hill they rush. But shot and shell and canister and the Concentrated fire of four thousand rifles Directed on our heroes made sad work. « This will not do !" cries Garfield. " Who will take The other mountain ?" " We will," bravely said Cornel Munroe, *' For we well know the ground." " Go in, then," Garfield cries, "And give them Hail Columbia." On them Munroe flies and in Less time than we can tell the tale, they were Upon the enemy and target made Of each grey head that slyly peep'd above The rocks with their unerring rifles. Said He : " Take aim, boys, and don't shoot till you see ■X^A "C- X 6o pRRSi DENT Garfield. Their eyes." The men obey as sure and co'^l .^ As at a rural turkey shooting match. They bravely climb or leap the mountain side ; Sometimes conceal'd by underbrush and trees At length they reach the summit. Hand to hand They fight in desperate encounter, till Cerpower'd by numbers, they are driven down Tlie jp.ountain side. Upon the hill above Another cannon opens on them. Shvit And canister sing in the air. The whole Reserve sends volley upon volley on their centre Which is soon silenc'd ; but it soon resumes Its deadly work Then Garfield orders all To scale the mcuntain, save one hundred men To act a reserve. Then grew the battle Terrific in its fierceness. All the ridge Was crowded by Confederates. The white ^ Smoke curl'd in weird-like wreaths among the hills. • The sky was overcast with smoke. Five hours The contest rag'd. Sometimes the Blues were driven Then charging up the hill regain'd their ground. And fifing from the trees and rocks, they pour'd Fourth murd'rous volleys ; then again were driv'n ; Again renew'd the charge, strewing the ground With dead and dying. Thus the bloody work Went on. The battle waver'd till the sun Wheeling beneath the hills retir'd to rest. The last, faint, shimmering rays reflected light From long lines of descending bay'nets. This An awful moment was. Hereon did hang The late of fair Kenti'cky. At this cr\sis Two figures stood against the purple sky, Boldly defin'd in the foreground. The oue v» '•'.>- ;:?j -■> ?•»-■♦„,,, President Garfield. 6i 5. rtn In Union blue with little band of men About him. On a rock with bullets torn • He stood in full view of both armies ; he With head uncovered and hair streaming in The wind and face uptum'd in solemn pray'r — He pray'd that Sheldon and his little force Might come with aid. Northward he turn'd his tace And his lip tightened as he doA'd his coat And hung it on the branches of a tree, And quickly spoke to his now wav'ringmen, " Come on, boys, we must give them Hail Columbia.'' The other figure in Confederate grey, Look'd through his glass a long and steady gaze To northward. Quick he started, for he saw Something which Garfield could not see, because On lower ground. Wheeling hib horse, he call'd Retreat. The welcome sound was heard by all From rocky summit to the deepest vale. It was his last command. He fell and died. « The one in blue look'd to the north again And saw the starry banner 'mid the trees, Unfolded TJgh and proudly floating there. 'Twas Shelden and his re-inforcements fresh. Along they came like wind. The air was filFd With shouting and the worn 'ieven hundred caught The strain and then, above the swift pursuit— r Above the lessening conflict and the boom Of wheeling cannon, up went the huzzahs Of victory. The gallant Garfield won The day and roU'd disaster back. As they Returned from short pursuit, man after man, He grasp'd them by the hand and said, ** God bless You, boys ! YouVe sav'd Kentucky," and at ten \ 68 Prisident Garfield. O'clock that night he showed his officers The intercepted letter. Then they first Leam'd that they had defeated an entrench'd Force of five thousand men supported by Artillery, and that their leader knew Full well the enemy's strength when he attacked Him with vastly interior numbers and They weary and footsore and nearly starv'd. While this transpired, the President at home In Washington, despaired of matters as They pass'd along. Disaster had pursued Disaster till the nation paralyzed, Desponded. So that very night he sent For General McDowell to advise As to the crisis— the reverses great — The Capitol beleag^ured — armies idle, The North defeated and the South elated And insolently sure of victory. > McDowell met the President and some Of his high Cabinet at eight o'clock. Lincoln was much disturb'd at the ill success Of Northern armies in their short campaigns — Spoke of the much exhausted treasury — The loss of credit and the delicate Relations of the foreign powers — the bad News from the distant west — confusion all — Particularly that of Missouri — Of want of confidence in those of high Command — of no co-operation due Between Halleck and Buell — more than all The illness of McClellan. Much he wish'd To know about the army —what it meant To do — ^and said if something was not soon Prisidbnt Garfield. 63 Done, the whole bottom would be out of the Affair and, if McLellan did not want To use the army, he would like to borrow It for a time, provided he could see How it could be compeli'd to do something. Little he thought that then, that very night, The North hsid won a splendid victory. Thus ended this unequal battle. It Was the first wave of victory's tide that rais'd The great Republic in the sand bar fixt And floated her along to Richmond's capture. When Lincoln heard of Garfield's victory. He made remark to a distinguish'd man. An army officer, who chandd to be With him : — "Sir, why did Garfield do in two Short weeks, what one of you would need two months To do ?" The officer replied : "Because He was not educated ?t West Point" "No," said the President, that is not so At all.^ It was because, from his boyhood He had to work for life or die." Upon The frozen ground another night Garfield Lay with his men and deeply ponder'd o'er The situation. Marshall's forces were Demoralized and broken and in full Retreat. They might be overtaken and Destro/d. But his own men were nigh half dead With hunger, great exposure and fatigue. And had but two days' rations. So he thought It best to rest in Prestonburg and wait Supplies before making another move. The rainy season had set in. The roads, Impassable to all but horsemen were, The river swollen much and dangerous, ^ ' SI 64 President Garfield. s» Its rapid current, filPd with floating logs And upturnM trees, was ruin to all boats. But something must be done. To starve the men By sheer inaction would be horrid crime. So taking with him Brown, a comrade in Canal-boat navigation in a skiff. He floated r'own the river which was then A raging torrent sixty feet in depth. Swift onward flies the skiff past logs and trees, Round jutting points and promontories bold. Onwards they swept until they reach'd the mouth Of the Big Sandy, where they found a steamer, And, loading her with supplies for the army, Resolv'd.to force her up against the stream And swift relief bring to his starving men. But this the Captain said could not be done. So Garfield order'd him and crew aboard. Cast off the ropes and let her float at large. He took the helm himself and steer'd against The boiling current At the bow stood Brown With pike pole in his hand pushing aside The vagrant logs and floating trees to let The boat pass thr j'. The river surg'd and boil'd 'And whirFd against the boat as if she were A cockle shell. From stem to stem she shook Throughout and with full head of steam Could laboring only make three miles an hour. At night the captain begg'd to tie her up Till morning, for he fear'd the boat would sink. But Brown cried out, " Jim, put the boat ahead.'' And Garfield willingly obey'd. With hand On helm, he drove her on thro' the dense night And nearly stranded her. They came upon A sudden bend, where the swift current form'd t'RESibENT Garfield. 6s • en A furious whirlpbol which engulf 'd the lioat, And, spinning her 'round like a top, drove her High on a river bar. The mattocks were Applied with vigor, excavations made Around th' imbedded bow, and Brown forgot Himself so far that he did utter oaths Both coarse and deep, but still the boat was fixt. All efforts unavailing were. Orders Were given by Garfield to compel the boat To move by force of cables. But the crew Were all afraid to venture life upon The stream when darkness reign'd supreme around. Into a skiff he sprang and called on Brown To follow, which he did and soon they reached The other side and fasten'd lines to trees To make a windless, by which means they warp'd The steamer round and soon got her afloat. For six and thirty hours they struggled on Against the furious river. Garfield held The helm himsel£ At length they rounded to The Union camp and then went up a cheer That might be heard afar. The hungry men Frantic wi*'i joy welcom'd their lov'd commander And were with extreme difficulty kept From chairing him up to the Gen'ral's tent Their wants thus timely met, he set to work To quiet the inhabitants around. Who had been seiz'd with terror at the news Of the great Union victory and fled Their homes, abandoning their herds and flocks, And hiding themselves in the fore«ts dense. •Thus all the towns and villages around Deserted were. So he a proclamation Issued the foll'wing week, which greatly calmed l;l I 66 f*RESiDENT Garfield. Their many groundless fears^.and offered them Protection, and this had th' effect desir'd. Then came they out from all their hiding places And flock'd about the Union camp in quest Of bettering their circumstances. Then Did GarBeld send one Jenkins with a corps, Consisting of one hundred men, to find Out how the en'my stood, and all about him. This man after some trouble ascertained That Marshall was still in Kentucky and Had fortified a strong position at Pound Gap, whence swarms of fierce guerillas swept The country side, robbing and murdering Defenceless men and women and had made An order for a grand muster of troops, On the Confederate side hard by Pound Gap, In order to expel the Union forces Out of the country. Garfield was determin'd To, once for all, forestall this bold attempt — TL intended gathering of hostile force. Disperse the roaming swarms of wild guerillas And thus restore peace to the troubled land. So taking with him a few chosen men, ^ He set out for Pound Gap and in two days Encamp'd with'n two miles of Marshall's host. Having despatch'd a force of cavalry T' engage th' attention of the foe, he led His men high up the mountain side, at least Two thousand feet, until they reach'd the crest — A toilsome clamber over logs and rocks. Then down the other side they quickly crept, Thro' tangled thickets white with icicles, O'er logs and rocks ic^coated and across President Garfield. 67 Deep chasms and gulleys frightful to be seen, Until they saw themselves within a mile Of the guerilla camp. Then on they pressed At double quick. They heard a picket tire. But they piid no attention to it but Press'd forward down the steep declivities, Across ravines and straight into the camp Of the Confederates. At their wits end The (jreys broke ofif and wildly ran away Amid the din and noise of cracking rifles. Pursuit was useless. In the forest dense They sought for shelter which was not denied, For the loud bugle sounded the recall. Then in less time than twenty minui'^s told The enemy was routed utterly, Leaving his camp and military stores In Garfield's hands. That night he spent in camp Of the Confederates, and was refreshed. Next morning he committed to the flames All he and his men could not carry ofif— Return'd in safety to his welcome camp Without the loss of ev'n a single man. He having march'd some ninety miles in worst ' Of weather with a mere handful of men And carried a position almost deem'd Impregnable, defended by a force - ' Superior far to his in numbers. 1 hus Eastern Kentucky was rid of the rule Of the unfortunate Confederation. This was the only independent and Supreme command by Garfield held. In it He show'd himself possess'd of qualities Which would have rank'd him side by side with men i; i ^8 President Garfield. Whose brews the victor's laurels have adorn d. No second place of honor would he take Amongst America's most famous men. When Buell heard the joyful news, straightway He is<;ued forth a general order to His troops, in which he thank'd both Garfield and His army for their very great success In victories which calFd to action all The highest qualities of soldier's skill And fortitude, of courage and foresight. In a few weeks he got promotion high — Was made a Major-General — the same To date from the great battle he had fought. Thenceforward his military career Was merg'd in that of a higher command— The army of the Cumberland. He held No separate command and hence are lost The traces of his great ability, Save when alluded to by other men '* In complimentary terms. To him was due More than to any other living man The wonderful organization of The army, which protected the South West. He reach'd the battle field of bloody Shiloh In time to share the glorious victory. Thence was engaged round Corinth and with Buell Was in the expedition thro' the North Of Alabama, and thereafter he. Was sent north on sick leave, where he lay ill For a long time. On b*s recov'ry he Found that he had been made a member of The Fitz-John Porter Court Martial which lasted Some five and forty days^ in which his great \ President Garfield. 69 Abilities shone forth with brighter ray As soldier and as lawyer, versed in all The legal lore affecting soldier V'^e. Then Rosecrans appointed him his chief Of staff, a post of honor very great. About this time a fiendish project was Discuss'd, to rouse the negro population Against their n:asters in the South and end The war by one terrific massacre. It was approved by many Northern men • In high positions. But Lincoln oppos'd The project as inhuman and unwise. No abler advocate upon his side Had he than General Garfield, who denounc'd The scheme as most uncivilized, and was Of greatest service to his Chief in time Of need in stamping out the ill design. And shortly after this he organized The Secret Service system of the army. Thus Rosecrans knew perfectly the moves And actions of the enemy and put A stop to smuggling cotton thro' the lines. In this he was oppos'd by menace, and . By bribes offered unblushingly. But he Was proof against corruption. Had he done As others did he might have made a fortune Amounting up to millions, by merely Shutting his eyes to traffic contraband. But this his honest heart could never do, For honor was to him dearer thaii life. After the reorganization of The army, which it took five months to do, The General, Rosecrans, addressed letters 4 = L / TO President Garfield. To each of his Commanding Generals As to the advisability of moving Forward at once against the enemy. They all advis'd not to advance a siep. Then Rosecrans ask'd him to collate all The answers and then give his own 4>pinion. This he did do forthwith, and his advice Was to advance against the enemy. This Rosecrans declared was what he meant To do. So in short time the army was In motion, and there hence ensued the great Tullahoma campaign, well-known to fame. Garfidd's last service in the army was At Chickamauga battl^ where he sav'd The Union army under General Thomas From overwhelming ruin by his skill And by pbenonienal presence of mind. Not long after this battle he was sent To Congress by the Nineteenth District of Ohio. President Lincoln and other Distinguished men strongly advised him to Accept the post thus ofTer^d him, as they Assured him he was needed more as a Statesman than as a warrior. He took Time to consider well and acquiesced. So he resign'd his rank as Major General And took his seat At once he was put on The Military Committee, wherein His great activity, military Knowledge, industry and acquaintance with The arniy's wants made him extremely useful. This, witb his brillancy in )ceen debates, President Garfield. 71 Made him a very prominent statesman. The power of his eloquence was like That of a mighty torrent, sweeping all Before it, for example : When a Bill Was introduced to legalize a draft Of three hundred and fifty thousand men, It was oppos'd and voted down by an Overwhelming majority, when he Arose, and in a speech of thrilling power, So far convinced the Congress he was right That they, submissive, reconsider'd it. And when the vote was taken it was pass'd By acclamation, mingled with huzzas ! In the same way he vigorously oppos'd The Bill to recognize Confed'racy By an oration of tremendous power, Couch'd in most scathing terms against the man Who darOd to introduce the hated measure. Nor ever shall to knell of time his speech In New York be forgotten, when the news Arrived that Lincoln was assassinated. The crowd assembled with exciteniv-nt wild — A frown on every brow and teeth all clench'd — A dark and murderous crowd it was. Men feared That Broadway should that day be red with blood. A voice like trumpet loud and clear was heard Above the million voices, speaking forth, " God reigneth and the great Republic lives," With magic pow^r this fell on every ear ! The spirit of revenge died out. The crowd Dispersed and peace was thus ensured around. But who the speaker ? What strange poVr had ht To quell the rising tempest of mien's wrath? f H 72 President Gap field. An huncii .i an" ts came, " ' Twas Garfield spoke.'' Thus Providence prevented scenes of carnage^ By sending to the spot, at the right time, The right man who could sway men's minds at will, As harvest fields are swayed by sweeping winds. Next Garfield turn'd his thoughts to legal lore, When peace had been restored and his first cause Was in the Supreme Court, where he disolay'd His vast research, acumen and rare skill In argument. His success rais'd him high In public estimation, as profound. And deeply read in every branch of law. Hence he had yearly five or six law briefs 4n the Supreme Court, and received in fees Three or four thousand dollars for each suit. Along with this he was repeatedly Re-elected to Congress, and there held The most important trusts to the entire And lasting satisfaction of all parties. Thus time sped on and mighty cJvmges came Amongst the politicians prominent. Some fell by subtle intrigue, others rose Abruptly in the civic heroscope, ^ And thus amid the chaob of the strife The strong surviv'd the weak. Those who were strong In virtue's tenfold panoply arose ; Those who were weak from lack of principle Descended to the depth of the abyss Of dark oblivion, and they left behind A lurid streak of darkness visible To warn mankind to shun their awful fate. 'Mid these upheavings one alone arose ■ Superior to all in attributes W Ir N W T President Garfield. 73 f> \h Which make ideal man. The nation's voice Invited him to place of highest trust — No less a place than Presidential chair, Which he accepted, trusting in the right, That Providence would aid him in his charge. And hoping that the common sense of men, Upholding what is right and scorning wronT, W«/aid sympathize with him in all his eftbi. To steer the ship of state safe thro' the rocks And shoals of foul corruption, till it spread Its sails upon the rockless ocean of That righteousness which doth alone exalt A nation. Fair Columbia hail'd the day When Garfield, by her sovereign choice, became Chief Magistrate with more than kingly power. And well it had been for her had he liv'd To carry out his projected reforms, Correcting all abuses and evils W^ithin the body politic, and to Inaugurate a new and better life Throughout the great Republic. But, alas ! The .powers of evil raged and set themselves Against the right and concentrating all Their malice in one wicked wretch, compell'd Him to commit a crime of deepest dye- By vile assassination. Garfield fell And then his really noble work was done. Tho' stricken down by deadly bullet, yet The martyr liv'd thro' eighty weary days Before he died. No murmur or complSvint Escap'd his lips, tho' conscious all the while. No ha* »d to his deadly enemies — No . ' <;hts reflecting on God's providence v^ 74 President Garfield. Were harbor'd by him, or were e'er express'd During his fearful sufferings. Hut calm And peaceful, hopeful and benevolent, He sank each day. The fifty millions read The hourly bulletins with tearful eyes ; The fifty millions hourly held their breath In dread suspense to read each telegram ; The fifty millions pray'd as ne'er before ; Men to their Maker supplication made ; Weeks pass'd and months, but still he lower sank. Friendship, affection, love with science, hand In hand, a loving circle made around His couch. All hearts were sadly melted down In pity for the dying man. Nor was Compassion limited to metes and bounds, But bursting all empiric barriers, Spread like a deluge over many lands. The great gigantic Northern power whose arms Embrace a matchless space of territory — Whose gardens are the Western prairies vast, Whose waters are the mighty ocean lakes. Fair Canada ! with all her loyal sons. Sat pensive at the electric battery * * ., And caught with trembling fingers all the news About the dying President as it Flew s wifely by, and dropt a silent tear. Nor less that august power across the sea, Britania, the sad affliction felt. Each day the news arrived, and all men felt As if one of themselves were stricken down. Ev'n the good Queen, God bless her ! oft enquir'd Concerning him, and sent her loving message Of tender sympathy to her who was So< Or I Col Hi Ar President Garfield. 7i c. Soon to become a widow too like her. Thus many nations interested were, Or more or less lamented the great loss Columbia met with in her day of trouble. Hundreds of millions heard th' afflicting news, And sigh'd when they could nothing better do. As time pass'd on the sufferer sank low. All science could accomplish as in vain ; All love could lavish on him brought no aid ; A million hearths were into altars rear'd, Where daily intercession to high Heaven Was made to spare the nation's President. Thousands of pulpits on each holy day Besought sweet mercy to come down and save. Millions of little children too were taught In their sweet innocence to pray for him. But all in vain ! Infinite Love knew best What should be done, and so He sent from Heaven An angel down to earth to escort the soul Of this, the second martyr'd President, Up to the portals of eternal day. The messenger perform'd his task. A crown Of light was gifted to the new-born saint, And a sweet voice fell on his ravish'd ear Saying, " Well done, thou good and faithful one, Thou hast been faithful over few things, I Will make thee ruler over many things ; Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." The Great Republic preparation made To fitly honor him, her fallen Chief. To his own native State, Ohio, was His lifeless body carried, and beneath 1 7« Presidkmt Garfield. The smiling sod qf Cleveland's cenietery Deposited with due solemnity — Befitting such occasion, there to lie Until th' Archangel's trumpet call him forth, New ris'n and cloth'd with immortality. An hundred thousand human beings stood Uncovered 'round his grave, into which fell A show'r of sweetest flowers from the hands Of weepers, and not least conspicuous was A beauteous wreath of costly flowers made And placed upon the casket by the Queen Of England's high command, Victoria ! A pretty tribute paid to manly worth. Thus rests in peace all that remains on earth Of James A. Garfield. But his influence For good amongst his people shall not die. Wherever the old English language shall Be spoken, in both hemispheres shall be The name of Garfield held in reverence, And countless generations yet unborn Shall emulate his spirit and career. Like brilliant beacon on some headland bcld. His fame shall shine adown the stream of time. And many time-toss'd spirits shall look up And courage take anew, when they behold The lambent flame, and grateful thank high Heaven That such a man as James A. Garfield liv'd. And now farewell, thou manly, noble spirit ! We thank thy Maker that thou once did'st live And, by thy Christian life and death, uphold The brotherhood of man and faith in God. Fims. X / W.i.iii"";'?