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 Copy 2 
 
 Eisf oaio wWi 
 
 jiV MJc.MoJtiA or 
 
 
 -BY- 
 
 !¥ Cm®UT] 
 
 This work will be preserved by many as 
 
 a memoir of the martyred president, 
 
 whose untimely death will be 
 
 long regretted by the 
 
 people. 
 
 IPI^ICE, 15 CEiTTS. 
 
A POEM 
 
 IN MEWIORIA OF 
 
 H 
 
 RFIEI D 
 
 jL 11 ll_jl_jj_y 
 
 JOHN WESLEY CROUTER, 
 
 Woodstock. Ill: 
 
 sentinel book and job print, 
 
 1882. 
 

 To THE Reader: 
 
 This work was not written to Inrnisli a subject for 
 tlie animadversions of the hypercritical. The author 
 ]ias endeavored to give a condensed poetical memoir 
 of one of America's greatest statesmen. 
 
 Personal pronouns are used to express the univer- 
 sally acknowledged sentiments and opinions of the 
 people regarding the regretted and horrible 'asassina- 
 
 tiou of this great man. 
 
 The Autuok. 
 
 COPYRIGHTED, dSS2, J. W. CROUTER. 
 
Homer, in his Ilejid, siini: of tho liravoH ; 
 He wrote epics on those wlio nileil lioiiored uraves. 
 Heartless is tlie man who no souvenir would Iceep, 
 And for loss of loved ones never can weep. 
 The greatest men haveslied tears for the dead. 
 Such men for tlieir country have suffered and l)led. 
 Every patriot cares some memento to save 
 Of the nation's heros who sleep in lhet;rave. 
 
 AT THE 
 
 Station ojf' rHM Baltimore & Potomac H. It. 
 
 ): 20 A. M., JULY 2D, 1881. 
 
 He stood unmindful of bis doom. 
 
 In conscious strength, manly, serene; 
 When fragrant flowers were in bloom 
 
 He fell — then horror enwraps the scene. 
 
 Now comes the sudden gush of woe. 
 Where all seemed fair as sunlight beam, 
 
 Like from clouds which more somber grow, 
 Came direful stroke like lightnings gleam. 
 
 None thought that an assassin's hand 
 Would stain our nation witli such a deed. 
 
 When thrift was seen in all our land. 
 Then our noble chief should bleed. 
 
 James A. Garfield has gone to his last resting place, 
 No more on earth we'll hear his voice, or see his face, 
 He IS dead, the words cause sad feelings o'er us to steal, 
 Language fails to express the poignant woe we feel ; 
 True he was only man, yet he our chosen chief, 
 His death, like loss of parent, fills our hearts with grief, 
 
Garfleld would not have been surprised had he fell in war. 
 Back to the White House Garfield was borne with fears; 
 As the news was wired o'er earth, eyes were tilled with tears. 
 From the seas:-Ue came Garfield's lovinji wife 
 AVith cheering voice, to l^eep alive the spark of life. 
 Words of sympathy came from rulers of other lands; 
 Many of them had suffered through desperadoes hands. 
 Enquiring woras came from Great Britian's Queen, 
 Her eldest son, our gentle courtesy had seen — 
 The Empress of India has a kindly heart, though she Avears 
 
 a crown. 
 E'en though on her vast empire, the sun goes not down. 
 Canada, also, lier words of sympathy sent. 
 Enquiring almost daily, how fairs the President. 
 These enquiries came from people whose speech is like our 
 
 own. 
 But every nation sent them, and all of kindly tone. 
 That Garfield might live, many prayed as they were taught. 
 They asked not that a miracle should be wrought; 
 But for God to aid both human skill and human care. 
 That He to usefulness again his life mip-ht si)are. 
 In fancied thought, we saw where the Piesident lay. 
 Wracked with pain, and suffering willi fever day by day. 
 Saw him struggling to live, whiie hurt with mortal wound, 
 Aided by his gentle wife, with loving voice attunea; 
 Her tears and fears were kept for some secret place ; 
 'Twas best, that in her looks he no concern should trace. 
 
 She wore for him a smiling face, 
 When his was touched with gloom. 
 
 Like the roses, she sought to cheer 
 His sadness with perfume. 
 
 Her's is the tender, loving heart. 
 
 That's touched by every sigh. 
 Ever ready to soothe a pain, 
 
 A heroine when death was nigh. 
 
Noble aud wortliy is such a wife, 
 
 Wherever her lot may be; 
 Like a rainbow in the storm of life, 
 
 Or haven from the raging sea. 
 
 Eagerly we read the bulletins morn or niglit, 
 
 Noticing each improving change with great dehglit. 
 
 To cool Garlield's room, there was a new device; 
 
 'Twas a machine to blow air over blocks of ice. 
 
 In his room and o'er his brow came the cooler air 
 
 Like the air of spring when violets are blooming fair. 
 
 Anon Garfield grew stronger, and we began to hope 
 
 That his great will with deatli like wouml would cope. 
 
 JN'ow his wife's more joyful face filled his heart with bliss, 
 
 Prompting him to return her one enraptured kiss; 
 
 Then doleful citizens wore a happier mein, 
 
 Gossiping cheerfully witli a slight laugh between. 
 
 It gave us pleasure that GarOeld expressed the wish 
 
 To have some steak; it should liave been some fish. 
 
 Both salmon aud trout digest with greatest ease. 
 
 And the flavor of tliem each is just the thing to please. 
 
 Garfield asked. *'Who is president of the L^nited States?" 
 
 Yet he obeyed doctor's, who each others skill berates. 
 
 But Garfield listened to what his doctors said. 
 
 Since they were right it was safest he obeyed. 
 
 For several days the President had been near death's brink, 
 
 But he was better now, and he perforce must think. 
 
 From thinking of state affairs he was debarred. 
 
 Although restrained, he still showed that he cared. 
 
 But his thoughts wander back to manhood's early life. 
 
 To the days when he was hapi)y WMth his youthful wife. 
 
 With promises he bade her hope for golden days; 
 
 Or, with naivete he extoled her meed with praise. 
 
 What though she could not boast of aristocratic birth. 
 
 Her head and face and acts evinced her queenly worth. 
 
 In all the vicissitudes through eventful years, 
 
 Her courage, faith and fortitude subdued her fears; 
 
 While with difficulties and slanders her husband strove, 
 
Sbe ever cheered him with confiding and earnest love. 
 Though in battle her husband might perish in strife. 
 Duty to God and country was guide to her life. 
 
 Carefully she trained her darling boys, 
 Since good boys are th^ pride of a mother's heart. 
 
 Though none the less of a father's joys, 
 Since with his gains they shared a part. 
 
 While she taught her boys to learn their Greek, 
 
 Sbe also trained her daughter too ; 
 That each to others should gently speak 
 
 And courtesy show, to whom 'tis due. 
 
 For such a woman's sake Garfield would live, 
 Was pleased when the Presidential chair; 
 
 But a greater pleasure he did receive, 
 Was the joy that his wife was near him there. 
 
 Doubtless Garfield thought over the things that are stated 
 
 here. 
 Pleasing reminiscences, his present state of cheer. 
 The bulletins grew more cheering day by day. 
 And anxiety grew less and some quite ceased to pray. 
 Sick person weary of things which run in the same groove, 
 Hence Garfield from Washington may have wished to move ; 
 Doubtless he yearned to eo to some mountainous lieight, 
 AVhere pure air fill convalescents with delight, 
 Since bracing air his appetite would revive. 
 Was he not strong enough, the journey to survive? 
 The Virginia mountains were not so far away 
 But he could have been moved there in less than a day; 
 The cars running slow, the journey would be smooth. 
 The doctors could say no, but were they riglit forsootli. 
 Though Garfield could not go he could in fancy ride, 
 From a miasmatic place up the mountain side. 
 Where he could see from mountain's brow down the vales, 
 Where shallops float on rivers, with their white like sails; 
 Or in the scopes see trees that are storm worn and old. 
 Then he could watch the sun seeming to set in a sea of gold ; 
 
Or on the morrow see the sun rise in mists of gray, 
 
 Or see its reflected rays on hill sides far away 
 
 Intensifying the colors of their sylvan sides, 
 
 1^0 w making the streams sparkle as they run to the tides. 
 
 Then deepening the shadows of the mountain glens. 
 
 Where carnivorous animals have their dens. 
 
 There Garfield's friends could have strolled in woodland 
 
 bowers 
 And gathered to please him pretty wildwood flowers; 
 Or they could have an -led to catch the spotted fish. 
 Which would have made for him such a toothsome dish. 
 ISTearly every day there would be a change of scene. 
 From dew spangled leaves to meadows bright and green ; — 
 Sometimes mists would cover the valleys below, 
 Making them seem like lakes over which skiffs might go; 
 These mists were charged with poisons fever producing. 
 Though with many they are not sickness inducing. 
 Where individuals are strong and coarse as they may be 
 They may from malarial fevers be quite free; 
 But weakly persons may from the low lands ascend, 
 For regaining health, pure air its help should lend. 
 Doubtless many of these thoughts ran through Garfield's 
 
 brain, 
 Until brought back to his state by a piercing pain. 
 For pyaemia and miasma were both at work; 
 These insiduous foes with weakness ever lurks. 
 
 Athwart the sky the storm cloud crept. 
 
 We bowed ourselves in sorrow. 
 But its shadow increased while we slept. 
 
 To darken the sky on the morrow. 
 
 Our pale lips trembled as we wept, 
 Ana prayed. Oh! stay its coming; 
 
 And nearer yet the shadows crept, 
 A noble life consuming. 
 
"We fought against the doom so long. 
 While of recovery there were traces. 
 
 Hoping with care he would get strong 
 And be saved from death's embraces. 
 
 After Garfield was shot, search was made for the b:ill ; 
 
 It was thought it lodged in the abdominal wall. 
 
 The course of the bullet from a straight line had veered, 
 
 And until it was mcysted danger was feared, 
 
 The wound from the bottom should commence to heal. 
 
 What to do in his case each symptom would reveal. 
 
 It was found necessary, a new wound to make. 
 
 So that tne pus a straighter direction could take. 
 
 After the incision was made new hopes were had ; 
 
 Each promise of restoration made us feel glad. 
 
 Again, when his pains and fever had nearly ceased. 
 
 And his new wound was healing and Ills strength increased. 
 
 Prevented from reading mucli, but witli his active brains 
 
 In fancy his thoughts go back to boyhood's life again; 
 
 He remembered the selllsh rich and proudly learned; 
 
 He thought perhaps that they the poor bov spurned ; 
 
 Why some are rich or learned, ^the question I may solve; 
 
 If I gain learning and riches, I'll make the strong resolve, 
 
 An orphan and poor, how can I a fortune make. 
 
 But my motlier is wise. I will her counsel take. 
 
 Garfleld thought e'er these things to while the hours away. 
 
 For his wounds to heal it would take many a day. 
 
 GARFIELD'S BOYHOOD. 
 
 Unlike the playmates of his day. 
 
 He early made some great resolves; 
 He loved his studies more than play, 
 
 He wished to know why earth revolves. 
 
 Dearly he loved to go to school, 
 His mother gave her glad consent. 
 
 And wist not that he yet would rule. 
 But pleased that he on tasks was i»ent. 
 
Full well she loved her babv boy, 
 E'en though her lope house was not grand; 
 
 He yet might fill her heart with joy, 
 And be the pride of native land 
 
 Garfield's head showed that be was a reverent boy. 
 
 Obedience and love of mother was his greatest joy; 
 
 He scorned not humble work but always did his best; 
 
 He allowed no useless sport to cheat him of his rest; 
 
 Nature gave him brains, but mineral wealth begrudged. 
 
 Hence to earn some cash the tow paths coarse be trudged. 
 
 Soon he changed from driver to boatman's place. 
 
 Here be had to fight or meet sore disgrace; 
 
 There was room for one boat at a time in the locks. 
 
 And boatmen often quarreled nigh these tiers of rocks. 
 
 Though he was loth to engage in brutal fights. 
 
 He faithfully worked and maintained his rights; 
 
 He saw that lesser skill could do humble work. 
 
 Though he was not too proud his honest share to shirk ; 
 
 For boatmen or sailor, Garfield lost the whim. 
 
 Since in his early life he did not learn to swim. 
 
 Often wet he contracted an ague cake, 
 
 Hence he determined another coarse to take. 
 
 He found that teaching school was his natural fort. 
 
 Though teaching great rude boys, he found no idle sport; 
 
 But he was brave and strong, and larger boys must learn. 
 
 He must do good and toil who honest pay woula earn; 
 
 Should he wages receive, he earnest work should do, 
 
 Some boys would not learn, save them he would subdue, 
 
 But these unruly boys he always made to yield, 
 
 He conquered them as later he did on battlefield. 
 
 He learned and taught, then learned through a college course 
 
 Without a trade, or wealth, he still much teach perforce. 
 
 At Hiram college both Greek and Latin he taught. 
 
 Although he was in debt yet he great changes wrought. 
 
 Garfield was thorough, of success he had no fear. 
 
 Students flocked to Hiram college both far and near. 
 
The college was in debt, a thinjr that was deplored, 
 With Garlield's management, its credit was resiored. 
 His heart burned with a desire to uo good. 
 He felt it his duty to preach because he could ; 
 To the cause of temperance he was ever true, 
 To these principles nuicli of his success \Tas due. 
 Gartield's lirst political speech iiad the sterling; rim?. 
 Presaging that in time it would great honors bring. 
 Perhaps this success caused him to mane tlie choice 
 That would secure tlie fame in which men rejoice. 
 He became a senator when twenty -eiglit years old. 
 In vomers confidence he seldom lost his hold. 
 J. D. Cox was Garfield's most intimate friend. 
 And toward each other tlieir willing help did lend. 
 Now Garlield pushed his law studies, with all his might, 
 He who wins life's battles, must be earnest in the light; 
 Soon of the supreme court he was admittt'd at the bar, 
 And wealthier comrades, he had outstript tlicni far. 
 
 GAUFIELD A.S fiENKU.VL. 
 
 In eighteen hundred and si.xty one 
 
 Wiien seditions acts were rife, 
 When America's war had begun 
 
 And thousands would perish in strife; 
 
 Xohle Garfield we needed then, 
 Needed his courage in that trying hour 
 
 To raise Ohio's twenty thousand men. 
 When brave hearts were known to cower. 
 
 First in Senate and tlien in front. 
 
 Serving in legislature or in field. 
 Ready to meet the enemies' brunt, 
 
 In battle never known to yield, 
 
 Near Chickamauga on autumn day 
 The Confederate soldiers were massed. 
 
 With loaded guns and in battle array, 
 While close opposing squadrons passed. 
 
'Twas on Sunday morn was heard in awe 
 The first reverberating sound of gun, 
 
 Then soon on hill tops seried cannons saw 
 Raining shells while smoke darkened the sun. 
 
 The gentle zephyrs were sighing low 
 
 Underneath the moss clad eaves, 
 AVhen was heard the loud bugle blow 
 
 Amidst the golden colored sheaves. 
 
 Soon gray coated warriors passed 
 Through mountain glens and passes wide. 
 
 And quickly the blue brigades were massed 
 Near Chickamauga's crystal tide; 
 
 As chief of staff, Garfield the orders wrote 
 That guided the captain of the marshaled host; 
 
 He wrote all save one, a single note. 
 Yet through this a great battle was lost. 
 
 Then bold Longstreet's thickening host 
 Dashed through the lines though red with flame, 
 
 Midst cannon roar. The right is lost! 
 Brave Rosecrans was heard to exclaim. 
 
 We have the left our Garfield cries. 
 My fate and it shall be joined together; 
 
 While Thomas holds the ground that lies, 
 On the banks of Chickamauga river. 
 
 Rosecrans consents to his request, 
 To return at once to the battle's brunt; 
 
 To aid the army of the west, 
 That was maintaining unbroken front. 
 
 Then swift on coursing charger borne, 
 He bravely threads the woods again, 
 
 Which twice with shot and shell was mown, 
 And thickly scattered o'er with slain. 
 
Midst gleams of flame near hillside brown. 
 Through deep gorges aud glens concealed, 
 
 Ohio's hero speeds his way down. 
 Close on the raging battle field. 
 
 Then midst the roar of cannons dire, 
 The union rifled arms he hears; 
 
 The left is saved though swept with fire; 
 The battle gained, each hero cheers. 
 
 Back retreated the brigades of Bragg, 
 Ihe welkin loud with victory rung; 
 
 Tnen the minstrels rally round the flag. 
 Was with loud and jofuly chorus sung. 
 
 Where stood the left with flag o'er head. 
 
 Shall Garfield in history stand; 
 Since glory on our armies he shed, 
 
 Although he held the less command. 
 
 From this battle Garfield in fame higher rose, 
 
 Well loved by his friends and admired by his foes. 
 
 He was thoroughly read in political lore, 
 
 He commanded attention when on senate floor. 
 
 Though always firm, he was forbearing and kind; 
 
 In great emergencies he had the prescient mind 
 
 To grasp the situation entire, then to promptly act. 
 
 We vainly search for a good quality which he lacked. 
 
 Midst great excitement, who attention may claim, 
 
 May, through continued effort, win a great name. 
 
 After Lincoln was killed, there were ten thousand men 
 
 Who listened to Garfield's swayful eloquence then. 
 
 His voice arrested the New York city mob. 
 
 Who for revenge were resolved to destroy and rob. 
 
 For they v/ere filled with vengeance for the martyr's death. 
 
 But they listened to the orator with bated breath. 
 
 Then it was whispered 'tis General Garfield of Ohio, 
 
 And the excitement nearly ceased by the morrow. 
 
 Month after month his talents more bailliantly shone. 
 
 Till o'er the land he was most favorably known. 
 
IS 
 
 One step higher, a standard bearer he became, 
 
 As leader of his party to win a nobler fame. ' 
 
 On November 6th it was determined by the poll. 
 
 That Garfield's name should be on the President's roll. 
 
 March 4th, Washington was decked in colors gay; 
 
 A hundred thousand people thronged the streets' that day. 
 
 Garfield with uncovered head the concourse greets; 
 
 iSTo grander pageant was ever seen on the streets. 
 
 Cheer after cheer was given as Garfield passed, 
 
 And cornet bands with joy gave loudest blasts. 
 
 Then Garfield was raised to the presidential chair; 
 
 Soon the sliy became clear and flowers were blooming fair, 
 
 Tlie evening ball was the grandest ever known. 
 
 When the charm of beauty and rich costumes were shown. 
 
 For the President there was but little rest. 
 Since e'er the rising of the morrow's sun; 
 
 A rapacious pack hard on him pressed, 
 Asking for reward tor victory won. 
 
 Not for the good of the state, but for themselves, 
 They made speeches or canvassed each town; 
 
 They followed voters like phantom elves, 
 Hoping for place not the country's renown. 
 
 'Tis time for this patronage to cease. 
 
 And unconstrained votes be given ; 
 If we would have corruption decrease. 
 
 The stealthy from ofiice must be driven. 
 
 Votes of civil servants may be for the worst, 
 Some from voting sjjould be debarred; 
 
 Many towns with high taxes are cursed, 
 Showing how little the voters cared. 
 
 Fitness for place, not partisan strife. 
 Should guide the choice of each employee; 
 
 Civil servants may be chosen for life, 
 Malfeasance should the exception be. 
 
16 
 
 Examinations should be held in each state. 
 Promotion the incentive iu each birth; 
 
 Then partisan strife Avould abate, 
 And the wise would be chosen for the worth. 
 
 Scheming and scrambling for office was now introduced. 
 
 When rival aspirants each others claims traduced. 
 
 As it was then everj'one wishes to be served. 
 
 No matter how far from the riglit he liad swerved. 
 
 The petty strifes of each recalcitrant schemer, 
 
 Was joined in by every political dreamer. 
 
 Amongst them was one who trivial seryice had done. 
 
 But merits for a high oflice he had little or none. 
 
 Daily he waited and daily more angry grew, 
 
 Thinking if refused some one would have it to rue. 
 
 Then he read the press animadversions of our chief, 
 
 By killing him he would till the nation with grief. 
 
 But the act would raise his party to power and place, 
 
 Then when his motive was known 'twould be no disgrace, 
 
 Thus the miscreant thought when he planned the deed, 
 
 Tis not unlike those who liold the nihilist creed. 
 
 Some thought that the assassin of Garlield was hired 
 
 And was not by demoniac spirit inspired; 
 
 But perish the thought that our giant millionairs 
 
 Plotted this crime in our midst, to us unawares; 
 
 No, no, wealtli gives means for culture and tilings retined. 
 
 Gives wherewith to be generous which enobles tiie mind. 
 
 The possession of wealtli does not cause savage ire. 
 
 But hunger will till man with murderous desire. 
 
 Was this assassin ever hungry, 'tis hard to tell, 
 
 He failed as a lawyer and his books would not sell; 
 
 He may have become soured at 'in ungrateful world. 
 
 Failing oft and as often his thoughts had swirled 
 
 His ambition tempted him to soar to lofty heights. 
 
 And his eiddy mind swam in his fancied llights; 
 
 Anon expanding with hope when all things seemed fair, 
 
 Then with each failure he was harrowed with despair. 
 
 He was enthusiastic beyond the normal state, 
 
17 
 
 As to a soundness a strong doubt he did create. 
 
 Deeming those fools who did not agree with his views, 
 
 Making them feign concordance for fear of abuse. 
 
 Egotism induced him to become a preacher, 
 
 He thought he was a great theological teacher. 
 
 A few persons listened to him with mind intent 
 
 13 ut they cared not to give the poor preacher a cent. 
 
 At last a new scheme dawned on his desparate mind, 
 
 A new way to competency he would surely find. 
 
 Capitalists hired political quacks, 
 
 Though he thought that he was better than party hacks ; 
 
 Doubtless he thought his party would learn of his worth. 
 
 Then he would receive p ay or an official birth. 
 
 With vigor he entered in the political field, 
 
 J^eeling fit the Presidential office to wield; 
 
 By his aid he felt that his party a triumph had won, 
 
 Of thousands of offices he would surely get one. 
 
 He tried for an office and repeatedly failed, 
 
 Then o'er his misfortunes he inwardly wailed. 
 
 Anon cojoled, then sneered at for liis little worth. 
 
 He thought that he had scarcely a friend on earth. 
 
 Many through favoritism fortunes had made. 
 
 Yet he found that of all others he could not be paid. 
 
 He could not go back to the Shaker's retreat. 
 
 Since bis conduct with them was not very discreet. 
 
 In eftorts for fame worthy ones struggle and fail ; 
 
 They blame no one nor o'er misfortune bewail. 
 
 Too proud to beg they make a hut or rustic cave 
 
 In the mountain yales, for their hearts are brave; 
 
 A cultivated plot yields them plenty of foods, 
 
 They have little need of fashionable goods. 
 
 Fruit trees and berry shrubs fill their garden's wide. 
 
 They have arbors where from the sun's rays they may 
 
 hide. 
 To wile away the lonely hours, they fish in the streams, 
 Or hunt in the woods, shaded from the sun's gleams. 
 Then with cerials and berries, game and fish, 
 Their fare is delicious as epicure could wish ; 
 
IS 
 
 Self immured they hide away in a sylvan glen, 
 
 Away from the strifes of implacaole men. 
 
 But the assassin of G irfiekl was not like one of these, 
 
 He cared mainly iiis l>)ve of vanity to please. 
 
 He knew where malicious thouijiits till ones iieart. 
 
 He may loose a life from wliich he vvould not part. 
 
 But what did he care; lie failed to win wealth or fame? 
 
 Yet he could soon win a noted felons name; 
 
 He iTiay have erred through a false religious creed, 
 
 And felt justilie;! in coinniltin;^ a dre;idful dee J. 
 
 The Government delayed tlie otlije they could give, 
 
 O'l, ha! he cries, my name side (i.irdeld's will live. 
 
 But such names will cease wlien better laws we make; 
 
 His name should drop who auothers life mav take; 
 
 ^ior bo"k nor paper tiit*ir nam^s should ever show. 
 
 Each criminal l>v a letter the c turt should know. 
 
 When the right to live one has shown liie abuse. 
 
 By anti mortem experiments ?>e should be of use. 
 
 'Tis better to learn what would injure a lunjj. 
 
 Than to cause a useless felon to be hung; 
 
 \'ivise(;tion would Phrenology prove, 
 
 And doubts as to brain function entirely remove. 
 
 By the aid of cliloroform there need be no pain. 
 
 For the experiments needed new knowledge to gain. 
 
 The murderously inclined would dread this carving. 
 
 They would prefer being punished by hanging. 
 
 Says this one and that who cares to be free. 
 As long as I am not hurt by another. 
 
 Another's ill doings is nothing to me; 
 I am not the keeper of my brother. 
 
 He who yields to one sin may yield again, 
 
 Until yielding a habit has become; 
 'Till o'er his face is traced the damning stain. 
 
 As plain as we see the effects of rum. 
 
 Unless restrained by love of right or law, 
 Daily one grows in wicked deeds. 
 
19 
 
 Hence each should complain of the ill deeds he saw, 
 Or increase of crime will make him take heed. 
 Oh ISToble Garfield who climbed the ladder of fame 
 And made for thyself such an honorable name, 
 And then by no act of thy own that thou shouldst fall 
 From thy eminence by an assassin's ball. 
 Was something that all people deplore. 
 And wish the days of desperadoes were o'er. 
 Xow like a chained giant the President lay, 
 With liope and purpose to get well, yet wasting away; 
 Day after day as the sun shone athwart the main, 
 We heard with joy that he was quite free from pain; 
 And morn after morn we asked with bated breath. 
 How fairs Garfield who fights tlie fight with death. 
 And ever with nopes revived the answer came 
 Garfield may recover but he is quite the same. 
 Then he lingered for weeks till a swollen gland 
 Made us all think that his death was at hand; 
 But like a valiant warrior he I'allied again, 
 Again grew stronger and at times was free from pain. 
 After much consultation the doctors agree 
 That it would be safe to move Garfield near the sea. 
 Then he was carefully moved to Long Branch 
 Hoping for the time that he could sail in a launch. 
 We were all pleased wh^n we knew he was there, 
 A.nd Garfield cheerfully exclaimed this is good air; 
 He was glad to get a breath of pure air from the sea, 
 E'en though anon hot breezes came from the lea. 
 Hot and cold breezes may do for those who are well, 
 But against convalescents they are sure to tell. 
 Still (Jarfield seemed to grow better with the change. 
 He was placed where his eyes could have a wider range; 
 Here he could look on the ocean and view the wayes, 
 Or watch the wiiitecapt breakers as the strong wind raves; 
 He could hear the smash of the waves as they broke on the 
 
 sand. 
 While he hoped soon to be strong enough to walk on the 
 
 strand. 
 
DaiKness followed the day as weeks wore away. 
 Yet he gained little strength each consecutive day; 
 At last he cries out with a pain in his heart, 
 Alarmed, his watchers rise with a sudden start. 
 But death soon came, and his troubles were o'er, 
 lie had passed the ocean of life to the blissful shore. 
 
 Toll ye bells your dirgeful notes 
 Let the nation's Hags Uy at half mast. 
 
 Ye cannons boom deep from your throats. 
 For our loved President's life is passed. 
 
 Let solemn requiems our sorrow show. 
 
 While we drape our houses in mourning deep; 
 
 Let the revelee sound mournful and slovr. 
 For General Garlield lies in creath sleep* 
 
 Millions the day will reniemlier. 
 
 When Garlield to the toiub was borne; 
 
 On each returning Septemltcr, 
 Flowers o'er his vault will be strewn. 
 
 
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