.A 3 6 Book_ ^ •/^ 3 4 PBESIDEHT. " He bchi^deati, yet .9/m/irM."— Hebrew 11, iv. BY MRS. E. W. ALLDERDICE. A SEXiUEf. TO OVER THE HILL TO THE WHITE HOUSE. NEW YORK: DEN I SON & COMPANY, 1881 Copyright, 1881, DeNISON & COMI'ANY, New Yokk. .A 36 fitcnorrveo •» c»»i.ii« •'<•»'• DEDICATED WITH AFFECTIONATE SYMPATHY TO THE HEROIC WIFE OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD. PREFATORY NOTE. YSjfll HEN, amid all the bright smToimdings and W^uy glorious anticipations of Inauguration Day, I penned my ]3oem " Over the Hill to the White House," I little thought it would ever be ])ossible for me to write so sad a sequel ; to trans- crilje such a history of suffering of the nation's President, who was then in the very fuUness of his power, both mentally and physically. Yet the world has seldom witnessed so gTand a spectacle of courage, heroism and Christian fortitude as has been exhibited by that bedside, where the sympathies of all Christendom have centered, since the fatal Second day of July. The devotion and bravery of his wdfe, herself little more than an in- vahd, the dutiful affection of his children, the patient resignation of his aged mother, and the loyalty of friends and people, teach us all a never- to-be-forgotten lesson. Doubtless, when we have recovered from the fearful shock of his loss, we shall be able to see the finger of God pointing to this sublime example and shall feel that our beloved mai-tyr has not suffered and died in vain. E. W. A. OUR PRESIDENT, Toll moui'Df iil bells, prone on their knees, Let all the people pray! Pray for the nation from Avhose midst The chief has passed away ! Pray not for him ! his sufferings ceased With this frail mortal breath, He won the first grand prize in life, And almost conquered death. Never can history recall, A fight so bravely fought; A thousand dangers surged before The safety port he sought. 8 OUR PRESIDENT. Tortured and torn and l^uffeted, He strufci^led on with niiiilit, The goal of his people's welfare Forever in his sight. He had battled hard 'gainst wind and tidt-, But now his strengtli was gone. Yet, 'mid the fever and rack of pain, His mighty brain worked on. The crazy zealot's dastard bloAv, Had crushed his manhood's powei*, But faith in God upheld his will, And strengthened every hour. He saw the cruel breakers rise, About his Ship of State, And knew his guiding hand must save The bark from adverse fate. OUR PRESIDEKT. 9 The oath he swore to guide it well, Still sounded in his ear, And 'mid the pulse of his fever's swell He heard the j^eople cheer. Cheer with a o-lad resounding: shout. On that eventful day, When over fifty million hearts He held such wondrous sway. When in his grand, athletic might, He rose to his feet and l)o^ved. Despite the speed of his horses fleet. Which bore him throuG:h the crowd. Bowed to them all with courtly grace, Swinging his hat on high. While the pleasure in his kindly face, Brought joy to every eye. 10 OUR TRESIDENT. The man lie vaiiqinsbecl owned Ills might ^VnJ loyal homage gave, He felt our new-born President AVas competent as brave. Hiij^ht royally he wore his crown. With kindly patience heard Each ])lea for help ; each tale of Avoe His heart with pity stirred. Yet judgment ever held the curb And tempered love with right, His country and his country's good, Were foremost in his siirht. Xo future honors tempted him. Nor flatterers' sii-en voice ; His policy was clear and true, The rii*;ht was e'er his choice. OUR PRESIDENT. 1 1 Quick to perceive, strong to retain^ Replete with Christian grace, His judgments no distinction kne^r. In color, state, or race. The hearts of all rejoiced in him, Through this bright peaceful land. And none surmised the murderous spite, AVhich nerved the maniac's hand. Alas that God in mercy had Xot stayed the fatal blow. With fiendish aim the shot sped home. And laid our chieftain low. One moment glad, erect and bright. On peaceful mission l)ent, Another, stricken to the earth, With keenest torture rent. ]'2 OTR PRESIDEXT. Tlu! air is iiUed with cries and o-roans, " Our President is dead ; " Scarce could the trembling crow(.^l)e]ieve The words around them said. NVliere is our grand Republic's poAver, When crimes like this can be ? Crime which has sprung from despot's rule 'Mid Russian tyranny ! Where is our vaunted safety here, Our cherished pride of birth, In this great land of liberty, God's favored s]3ot of earth. "Go, tear the dastard limb from limb! He shall not live an hour!" Murmured the dvinc: President: "Respect the law's sure power." OUR PRESIDENT. 13 Even amid the shades of death His country cLaimed his thought; ]S'o blot should stain the honored land For which he nobly fought. That ^vord sufficed, the people fall Back from the assassin's path, And he within a prison's cell, Escapes their righteous ^vrath. LoAY spake the tortured President, To those about his bed : ''Is there a chance?" "A sinirle one."' ''We'll take that chance," he said. "(jod hel]-) my wife, when called uj)on This fearful stroke to meet! Go, bring her quickly to my side. — Go break the news to Crete." 14 OUR TRESIDENT. His boyhood's love, his manhood's stay, The sharer of each care, — Potent to soothe in grief and pain, Alas! she is not there! She seeks afar mnch -needed health. But he! her love and pride! — Self was forgot — her only jii'ayer: ''Quick, take me to his side!" The meetino^ between those two heai'ts, None but the angels saw: For statesmen, surgeons, nurses, all, Drew back in silent awe. But Christ's own grace sustained them They bowed beneath the rod, [l)oth: And humbly and submissively Left the decree witli God. OT'Il TiiEdlDENT. 15 Long niontlis of untold agony The ^veary sufferer bore, And often angel voices called Far from tlie sliinino^ shore : "Give np the toil, the rack, the pain; Leave all that weight of woe; Come, join ns in eternal rest, And let your burden go." But steadfast to his trust he stood: ''My people need me still!" And 'gainst the grim old ferryman He threw his f^iant will. But then there came one fearful da}', When science stood a^^-hast. And owned that for the President This day must be the last. 10 OUR PRESIDENT. Tearful and pale tliey sought his wife ; Gently the words they said, That ere another sun had set, Her husband would be dead. lihig out the bells, for a woman's fame! Let them ring far and wide ! But for a Avoman's steadfast faith, Our Chieftain then had died! Pj'oudly she stood up in their midst, Calmly she looked aroimd; Of cry, or shriek, or woman's moan. She uttered not a sound. '' Back to your posts ! ye doubting hearts ! ]My luisband will not die ! Til] death has fully placed his seal, Your deftest measures try. THE PRESIDENT. 17 ^' Go back, and ^vork ^vith lieart and liopo, AVatch till liis Latest breath; He has won so many earthly fights, — Go, help him conquer death! ^'To-morrow's sun will rise \ii>on God's own especial day : How can a life be lost, for ^vhich Full iifty millions pray?" The doctors turn; a woman's faith Has nerved them once again; And, ^vith a silent prayer for help. They seek the bed of pain. Oh, miracle of miracles ! Oh, potent power of prayer! They look into the sick man's face, And find fresh courage there. 1 8 THE PRESIDENT. The mist of deatli has left his eye, His mind is strong and clear; And Avords of patient, cheerful trust Fall on each listening ear. ^•Anotlier station gained and passed! How many more to come ? Ctui M'Q expect, in sncli a race, Not to be stopped at some ? ''Oh, for a glimpse of our quiet home, A breath of Mentor air ! Surely I shall get well again. If you can take me there ! ''Dear wife, your cheek is growing ])a]t' •And Mother's heart will break, If I die so far away from home ; I'll live for her dear sake. OUR PRESIDENT. 19 'Mnd our cliildreii, Heaven bless them, Sigh for the good old farm; They will think the White-House splen- Has only brought us harm. [doi- a Please God, we'll meet too^ether 'Xeath the home roof ouce aeain : A.nd with all my dear ones round me, I shall soon forget this pain.'' Far off, in that Ohio home, His aged mother dwells, And every day, to friendly ears, Her simple story tells. Proudly recalls his boyhood's toil, His lessons learned with care, " His college prize, his fervent speech Within the house of ]:> raver. 20 OUR PRESIDENT. Hi.s early fame, liis statesmansliii), His soldierly career, — And the crowning glory of Lis life, AVliieli ]nade liini ruler here. But most slie loves to dwell upon That moment of her bliss. When on her lips, amid his pomp, She felt his loving kiss ; Heard the low-^vhispered words he spake, A blessing and a prayer, — AYhile from his eye a grateful tear Fell on her silver hair. A shadow steals across her heart, A sadness dims lier eye. She trembles e'en amid her joy, There's dano:er lurkiniz niixh. OUR PRESIDEXT. 21 The deep strong chord of mother-love, Vibrates with sudden fear, '• Something has happened to my boy! You will not let me hear. •'He may be statesman, soldier, chief. He's still a boy to me. The baby that in childhood's hour, I cradled on my knee. " You've heard bad news, I know it ; You look so scared and white ; Why is it that- the papers Are all kept out of sight ? " I've felt more trouble coming. Since the day your uncle died. And fear for James. I'm sorry now, I ever left his side. 22 OUK TRESIDENT. '•I don't think folks Avould liarni liiiii, AVitli liis gray-kaired mother neai', .Vnd I ])eremt^ a\ illiiu the nation's heart, Our martyred Chieftain stands; God grant the people may vSustain His just and wise commands. ]\Ia}' ])eace o'er the dear Mentor home, Once more its mantle spread, Ilallo^red by sacred memories. Of the beloved dead. This cruel dispensation seemed So needless to be sent ; — A crime the loving Father Could so easily prevent, Has tortured many Christian hearts, And filled the land with gloom. While, deep within a prison cell, The nmrderer waits his doom. OUR PRESIDENT. '27 Surely a man so iiiiicli beloved Might have been spared the rod; But those who suffer most on earth Are best beloved of God. Did ever sinner in the past Secure a martyr's crown? AVhile daily to a martyr's grave The saints in Christ went down. Closed to our earthly, finite sense, Is Grod's mysterious grace ; But when, upon that farther shore, We meet Him face to face. We shall His wisdom comprehend, His loving-kindness know; And all thins^s will be clear and brii^lit Which seemed so dark below. 2'S oril PRKSIDKNT. The tliouglit sustains our breaking lieai'ts, Beneath this chasteninir rod, Our martyr wears a radiant crown, Within the courts of God. Weep not for him ! fi'om earthly fame, In Christ-like stature gro^vn, He mounts, while angels welcome him, Up to the great AVhite Throne. September, 20, 1881. M< ART Goods, AfjTi^TsiJniciiALb, ^ liiii 1 3- A - - PICTURES, FRAMES AND irAi iObS. ■ 254 CHAPEL STREET. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 785 834 4