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tisan press which supported him, were heard, for the first time, the words, "Great," "Hero," "Statesman," "Scholar"! Then, too, how suddenly the political opponents of his party discovered that he had always been, in their estimation, a "Coward," "Bribe-taker,” "Charlatan," "Lobbyist," and "Renegade Preacher"! It is as interesting as it is sweet to find that this sudden and great promotion did not come to his family as a matter very much to be desired. Mrs. Garfield, with an indescribable tenderness and modesty, declared that it came to her like a calamity. She did not prefer the life in Washington, and dreaded both for him and for herself the cares and perplexities of the White House. The children loved the farm best, and the little barefooted son, up in a cherrytree, declared to a questioner that they did not have "such fruit nor such trees in Washington."

At the opening of the political campaign there was a feeling in the country that the Republican candidates could not be elected, owing to the local successes of the Democratic party, indicating an increase of strength, and owing also to the bitter divisions in the Republican party among the friends of disappointed candidates.

About a week after the nomination, the writer told General Garfield that there appeared to be but little hope of success. But he was as confident as if he already knew the result, and significantly pointed upward, saying, "There is a God." Shortly after he handed the writer a letter from his secretary at his

residence in Washington, who wrote that on the day of the nomination at Chicago, and at the time the last vote was being taken, a great American eagle hovered over the city, and at last alighted on the roof of General Garfield's house. It was a singular incident, and the significant look which General Garfield gave as he passed the letter was most inspiring and impressive.

His speeches during the trying interval between his nomination and election were models of modesty and statesmanship. He possessed a character which would bear study. He was a man of whom the more was known the greater would be the respect for his ability and intentions. The Republican cause thrived through the great impulse which General Garfield's domestic and public life and self-sacrificing spirit gave to the canvass.

It was a bitter thing, however, to his affectionate wife and faithful relatives to see again and again revived the most slanderous statements concerning his life. Stories that were conceived in the purest malice, and enlarged upon by the campaign orators and writers, would not die with repeated killing. It is probable, however, that his candidacy, like every other good cause, prospered by persecution. The more hateful the slanders, the more active were his friends. The more untruthful the statements of the press, the more numerous his adherents. It was a period when General Garfield was compelled to stand silently and immovably before all detractors, enemies, and scandal

mongers, and receive without retaliation all the poisonous darts they incessantly hurled at him. No event of his life was so much used and abused as his acquaintance and business transactions with Hon. Oakes Ames during the great "Credit Mobilier " excitement mentioned in the previous pages. Now that both men are seen through the funereal halo which their deaths have placed about their memorials, we only look and wonder that to either of those honorable men such a martyrdom could come, among an intelligent, civilized, and Christian people. The lesson it teaches is very important, but seldom made practical: that is, that we should so regard and so treat the living men that when they are gone we shall not regret it. It is silly, unmanly, unchristian, to vilify a man while he lives, and then exalt his name as a saint or an angel when he is dead, both positions being false and despicable.

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General Garfield was a man, a generous, frank, sympathetic man, of strong intellectual power, and clear, conscientious convictions. He was human. He had faults. He made mistakes. He sometimes advocated measures which time shows to have been unwise. Measured by the great deeds of heroes, statesmen, and martyrs of the past, he had not the opportunity to be so heroic or so illustrious. He was a model American citizen; and of such we have many thousands more. Let not another great and good man die in America unappreciated. It is cruel and foolish to reserve our support and praise until

after the statesman or patriot is dead. One lesson which the study of this life teaches is but the revival of the Chinese philosopher's exhortation: "Be sparing of your curses while the man lives. Be sparing of extravagant laudations after he is dead." To which may be added this observation: that slander, persecution, and the spirit of assassination before the death, and hero worship after the death, are both relics of an uncivilized or unchristian age.

The first Tuesday in November, after the nomination of General Garfield, was the Constitutional day of election. But the tide of public opinion had set so much in favor of General Garfield that the people felt that his election was a certainty. General W. S. Hancock, a distinguished officer in the United. States Army, was the candidate of the Democratic party; and having a thrilling record as a soldier, and an excellent reputation as a gentleman, drew uppermost the best elements, and called forth the full strength, of his party. But when the sunset gun was fired on that exciting day of the contest General Garfield's political victory was undoubted and complete. He was sure of two hundred and fourteen electoral votes, while General Hancock had but one hundred and fifty-five.

CHAPTER XX.

INAUGURATION.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ANNOYMETHODS OF SECURING A HEARING.

ASSAILED BY OFFICE-SEEKERS. THE
ANCES OF A PRESIDENT.
GENERAL GARFIELD'S SELF-SACRIFICE. HIS HOME LIFE BROKEN UP.
-CEREMONIES OF INAUGURATION. -DIFFICULTIES IN SELECTION OF
COUNSELORS. THE CABINET.

EVERY blessing has its accompanying evil, of greater or less magnitude, and an election to the high position of President of the United States is far from being an exception. When the trials, annoyances, temptations, and dangers are carefully weighed it is a strange thing that great men should desire it. To perform all the duties faithfully and ably, the President is compelled to forsake his family, his social and religious privileges, his books, his friends, and his rest, and constantly grapple with the evils which ceaselessly assail both himself and the nation. The greatest of all these evils is connected with the change or recommissioning of all the officers of the nation at each inauguration.

From an early hour on the morning after his election until his death at Elberon, his time was taken, his footsteps dogged, or his sick-bed disturbed with

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