opposition grew, also, from week to week, as the contest continued and strengthened, notwithstanding that Mr. Conkling and his friends, including Vice-President Arthur, were on the ground, manipulating and controlling affairs as far as possible. Mr. Conkling had been a man of wonderful influence and power, both in the Legislature of New York and out of it; and, for this reason, his signal discomfiture proved what a strong hold President Garfield had upon the people. They believed in his act of opposition to "Senatorial courtesy ;" and they finally recorded their convictions by the ignominious defeat of the senator who arrayed himself against it.

HILE the contest was going on in the New York Legislature over Senator Conkling's re-election, an attempt was made upon the

President's life, which startled and shocked the nation. He had arranged a journey to New England, for the purpose of attending the Commencement at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., the annual meeting of the American Institute of Instruction at St. Albans, Vt., extending his trip into Maine, where he would be the guest of Mr. Blaine, Secretary of State; thence into New Hampshire, in response to an invitation by the Legislature of that state, then in session; returning through Boston to Washington; hoping thereby to recruit his somewhat exhausted energies by a brief respite from official duties. On Saturday morning, July 2, he left the Executive Mansion at a few minutes past nine o'clock, in his carriage with Secretary Blaine, for the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Depôt. At twenty minutes past nine o'clock he entered the dépôt, arm in arm with Mr. Blaine, when two pistol

shots were fired in quick succession, the first one sending a ball through the right coat-sleeve of the president, doing no damage, the second one driving a ball deep into his body above the third rib. The unexpected shot well-nigh paralyzed the bystanders. Mr. Blaine turned to seize the assassin, but found him already in the hands of an officer. As he turned back, the president sank heavily upon the floor, and the fearful tidings spread through the city: "The president has been assassinated!" The telegraphic wires took up the terrible news and conveyed it over the country, startling every town, village and hamlet as they never were startled except by the assassination of President Lincoln. By twelve o'clock the entire country was apprised of the appalling calamity, except in sections beyond the reach of telegraphs and telephones. The dreadful news flashed over the Atlantic cable, astounding and affecting Europeans almost as sensibly as it did Americans. Surprise and grief were universal. "It was a marvellous tribute," said George William Curtis. "In Europe it was respect for a powerful state; in America it was affection for a simple and manly character." The deed was done "in the most peaceful and prosperous moment that this country has known for a half century," as Mr. Curtis wrote, "and the shot was fired absolutely at a man without personal enemies, and a president whom even his political opponents respect." The manifestations of unfeigned sorrow were gauged by this remarkable fact. The South seemed to vie with the North in

profound grief over the fearful crime and heartfelt sympathy for the illustrious sufferer. In their dire extremity and deep sorrow, Christian men and women, led by the ministers of religion, gathered in places of prayer, to invoke, upon their knees and in tears, the interposition of God, to save and restore their beloved ruler. Around Christian hearthstones knelt family groups, tearful and hushed as if a great personal sorrow were theirs, to join in fervent supplication to God for the preservation of the president's life. Perhaps so much united, earnest prayer for one man, ascending from even the remotest hamlet of the nation, was never offered at the throne of grace.

But to return to the wounded president. Physicians and surgeons were speedily summoned; and, within an hour, he was removed to the White House in an extremely prostrated and critical condition. The presidential party, consisting of Secretaries Lincoln, Windom and Hunt, and Postmaster-General James, with their wives, were already seated in the special car provided for them, when the cry reached them, "The president is shot." At first they could not credit the tidings; the crime was too awful to be believed. As soon as they recovered from the shock, however, and were really convinced that an attempt had been made to assassinate the president, they abandoned the car and repaired to the executive mansion, to render all possible assistance.

The president was still conscious while prostrate upon the floor at the dépôt, and fearing that the

intelligence of his injury might overcome his wife in her feeble state of health, he dictated to Colonel Rockwell, who was at his side, the following dispatch to her at Long Branch:

Mrs. Garfield, Elberon, New Jersey:

The president wishes me to say to you from him that he has been seriously hurt- how seriously he cannot yet say. He is himself, and hopes you will come to him soon.

love to you.

He sends his A. F. ROCKWELL.

It should be stated that Mrs. Garfield was recovering from a severe sickness of several weeks, and a few days before the president accompanied her to Long Branch to hasten her restoration. Her life was despaired of for a time, and her husband's watchful and tender care of her, night and day, when her life hung quivering in the balance, in connection with official duties, made a heavy draft upon his strength.

By the time the ambulance reached the White House, soldiers from the garrison at the Arsenal were performing sentinel duty there, that the policemen might be at their respective posts of duty in the city, where the excitement was intense. A correspondent of the New York Times, who was an eyewitness, said, that when the president "was tenderly lifted from the vehicle with the pallor of death stamped upon his countenance, glancing up to the window, he saw some familiar faces, and with a smile which those who saw it will never forget, he raised his right hand and gave the military salute, which seemed to say, 'Long live the republic.'