From the farm to the presidential chair

Front matter

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Preface

IT is the pride and boast of America, that this is a country of self-made men. However humble may be the position of a man, it is within his power, in this land of equality and Republican Institutions, to attain the highest honors within the gift of his fellow-citizens. Our history is full of the names of men who, without friends or fortune to aid them, have risen by the force of their own abilities to the proudest position in the Republic — Washington, Jefferson, Marshall, Clay, Lincoln and their glorious compeers, were all self-made men, and carved out their great successes by their own unaided efforts. Their example shines out brightly to encourage and cheer others who are struggling onward in the road by which they climbed to greatness.

No career in all our history furnishes a more brilliant example of this than that of General James A. Garfield. Starting as a poor farmer boy, without money, position, or influence, compelled to struggle against poverty and ignorance, he has raised himself by his own unaided efforts to the highest pinnacle of fame. The poor boy that drove the mule team of a canal boat is now the leader of the Republican party in one of its most critical

PREFACE.

struggles. Thanks to the glorious institutions founded by our fathers, it has been possible for the genuine merit and true ability of the man to win this great success.

It is natural, therefore, that his countrymen should desire to know not only the measure of the success that has been won by him, but also the means by which these great achievements were accomplished. To meet this demand the author has prepared this volume, which relates the story of the life of this great man. It is the story of unconquerable determination and sublime selfreliance, of lofty purpose and inflexible resolve, of incorruptible integrity and moral courage of the highest type, of noble effort and magnificent achievement, of prolonged and determined struggle, crowned by the most brilliant triumphs.

The work abounds in copious extracts from the speeches and writings of General Garfield, for it is only by an intimate acquaintance with his views as set forth in these utterances that he can be fairly judged, or intelligently appreciated. His record is presented here clearly and without partiality, that all men may see that his life has been free from stain, his services honorable and distinguished, and that his claims to the highest place within the gift of the American people, rest upon a solid foundation of genuine merit and faithful service honorably performed.

The work also embraces a concisely written sketch of the Life of General Chester A. Arthur, the Republican candidate for the Vice-Presidency of the United States.

Philadelphia, August 10th, 1880.

Chapter I. Childhood And Early Years

Birth and Parentage — Rev. Hosea Balloa— Death of James Garfield's Father — A Western Widow — Jules Garfield resolves to keep the Family together — Boyhood of James Garfield — Brought up to Hard Work — An Industrious Boy — James determines to obtain an Education — A Poor Boy's Struggles — The Village School — James makes an excellent listener — Becomes a Boatman on the Ohio Canal — Is Promoted— Wishes to be a Sailor — A Fortunate Illness — James Garfield makes the Acquaintance of Samuel D. Bates — Resolves to go to School — At the Academy — A Struggle for an Education — Garfield at the Carpenter's Bench — Becomes a School Teacher — Leaves the Academy — Finds a Friend who helps him to enter College— His Reasons for Selecting Williams College — His Career there — Graduates with distinction.

CHAPTER n.

PRESIDENT OF A COLLEGE AND STATE SENATOR.

Mr. Garfield joins the Church of the Disciples — Statement of the Religious Belief of this Church — Reckless Attacks of Political Enemies upon Mr. Garfield's Religious Views — The true state of the Case^Mr. Garfield becomes a Professor of Hiram Eclectic Institute — Is made President of the College — His life in this capacity — Preaches the Gospel — Growing Popularity — Marriage of Mr. Garfield — His Wife — Buys a House — Mr. Garfield enters Political Life — Joins the Free Soil Party — Is Elected to the State Senate — Services in the Senate — The Secession Troubles — Mr. Garfield becomes a Prominent L'nion Leader — Hj^ Position in the Senate — A Rising Man — Supports the War Preparations of Ohio— Denounces Secession — Ohio's Situation at the Commencement of the Rebellion — How the State was Armed and Prepared for the War — Growth of the State Militia — Outbreak of the War — Rapid offers of Volunteers — Enthusiasm of the People — Services of Mr. Garfield to the State — Supports Governor Dennison's War Measures — Is sent to Illinois to Buy Arms — Determines to take part in the War.

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Chapter III. The Ctollege President Becomes A Brigadier-general

Mr. Garfield organizes a Military Company among his Students— Is made Lieutenant-Colonel — Is Promoted to be Colonel of the Forty-second Ohio Infantry — Organization and History of the Regiment — A Noble Record — The Forty-second ordered to the field — Joins General Buell's Army in Ktntucky — Garfield is placed in Command of a Brigade — State of affairs in the West — Garfield's first Campaign— An Important Trust — The March up the Sandy Valley— The First Blow struck — Rout of the Rebel Cavalry — Colonel Garfield wins a handsome Victory over Humphrey Marshall at Middle Creek — Flight of Marshall's Forces — Garfield sets the Ball of Victory in motion — A true estimate of the Victory of Middle Creek — A New Dodge — Out of Supplies — The Flood in the Big Sandy — Garfield forces a Steamboat to ascend the River — Garfield at the Wheel — A Thrilling Incident — Garfield wins another Victory — Drives the Rebels from Pound Gap — Is ordered to Louisville — Is congratulated by General Buell in General Orders — Value of his Operations.

Chapter IV. From Shiloh To Chickamauga

General Garfield given a Brigade in the Army of the Cumberland— Joina Buell on the march— Battle of Pittsburgh Landing— General Garfield's share in this fight— Takes part in the Pursuit— The Siege of Corinth— Garfield's Brigade one of the first to enter the town— Is ordered to repair the Memphis and Charleston Railroad— Successful performance of this duty— Garfield at Huntsville— Detailed for Court-martial duty— A severe illness— Ordered to Cumberland Gap— Placed on the Fitz John Porter Court martial— Ordered to South Carolina— Battle of Stone River— Garfield is appointed Chief of Staff to General Rosecrans— Hia duties and serviced in this position— General Rosecrans' quarrels with the War Department— Garfield endeavors to harmonize these difBcultiea —Rosecrans' delay at Murfreesboro— Reasons for it— Garfield's views respecting it— A stinging letter from Rosecrans to Halleck— Garfield's advice respecting the Reorganization of the Army— It is disregarded- He urges Rosecrans to advance— A Model Military Report— The Army moves off— The Tullahoma Campaign— A brilliant success— It was jiiiiii, ,,=,;!f!iliii|(^

CONTENTS. <

really due to Garfield— Advance upon Chattanooga— Retreat of Bragg— Battle of Cbickamauga— Garfield's share in it— He is promoted to be Major-General of Volunteers for his conduct at Chickamauga.

Chapter V. General Garfield Enters Congress

General Garfield Elected to Congress from the Western Reserve District — Desires to Remain in the Army— His Reasons for Resigning his Com mission and Entering Congress— Character of his District- Reasons for his Election— Decides to Leave the Army— Enters Congress— Takes a Commanding Position in the House — Appointed to the Military Committee—Estimate of him as one of the Leaders of the Republican Party —His Habits of Industry— His Mode of Rest— Mr. Long, of Ohio, pro poses to Recognize the Southern Confederacy— A Brilliant Invective — An Impressive Scene in the House— Delight of the Republicans over Garfield's Reply— It Ensures his Success in the House— Mr. Garfield in Demand as a Speaker— The Inconvenience of being Too Ready an Orator —General Garfield's Account of Congress- Its History— Its Great Services-Its Intimate Connection with the People— How it has become the National Mouthpiece and Defender— Congress and the Constitutioa— Congress and the President— Congress and the People— A Statesman's Views.

CHAPTER VI. GENERAL GARFIELD's CONGRESSIONAL CAREER

The Wade-Davis Manifesto- General Garfield before the Convention — Moral Courage wins the Day— Triumphant Nomination and Election ol General Garfield— Is appointed a Member of the Committee of Ways and Means — Speech on the Constitutional Amendment- A Grand De- DMuciation of Slavery — Speech on the Reconstruction of the Southern Biates- Speech on Confiscation — A Reminiscence of the War— Gradual Rise of the Negro— How Garfield refused to surrender a Fugitive Slave —Speech on State Sovereignty— General Garfield as a Temperance Worker— How he shut up a Beer Brewery — A Good Speculation— General Garfield's Tariff Record— Views of the Iron and Steel Bulletin- General Garfield's Course Satisfactory— To the Protectionists— His Real

CONTENTS.

Position oa this Question — Re-election of General Garfield to Congress — Is made Chairman of the Military Committee — Successive re-elections to Congress — Is made Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations — Debate on the Civil Appropriation Bill of 1873— General Garfield's mode of conducting Public Business — The Salary Grab— General Garfield's Course respecting it — Letter to a Friend— Garfield successfully Vindidicates his Course — A Silly Rumor Refuted — General Garfield urges the Repeal of the Salary Bill.

CHAPTER VIL

3ENERAL GARFIELD LEADS THE REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION 13

ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

Efforts to defeat General Garfield for Congress— His triumphant Re-election — The Democrats have a Majority in the House— Garfield loses his Chairmanship—One of the Republican Leaders— A sharp Arraignment of the Democratic Party — The Democratic Graveyard— Ohio goes Republican — General Garfield nominated for United States Senator- Is the Republican Candidate for Speaker of the House — A Member of two important Committees — Becomes the Republican Leader in the House— Garfield pours a Broadside into the Democratic Ranks— A Withering Denunciation of Democratic Policy— Reply to Mr, Tucker, of Virginia— Garfield breaks the Democratic Line— Delight of the Republicans in the House— Comments of the New York Herald— Appea] in behalf of the Loyal Men of the South— Speech on the Judicial Expenses Bill— Speech at Madison Wisconsin— Speech at the Andersonville Reunion — Plain Talking on a Sad Subject— General Garfield is Elected to the United States Senate — His Arrival at Columbus— Reception at the Capital— His Remarks— Ad. dress of President Hinsdale on Garfield's Election— Speech of General Garfield on Democratic Nullification.

CHAPTER VIIL

GENERAL GARFIELD's FINANCIAL RECORD.

General Garfield's Appointment to the Committee on Banking and Currency — His Efforts in Congress in behalf of Honest Money— A Formal Statement of his Views on the Money Question— The Currency Doctrine of 1863 — Definition of Money — Money as an Instrument of Exchange —

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Coin as an Instrument of Universal Credit — Statutes cannot Repeal the Laws of Value — Paper Money as an Instrument of Credit — Necessity of Resumption — A Powerful Argument — General Garfield's Speech on the Weaver Resolutions.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CREDIT MOBILIER AND DE GOLYER CHANGES GENERAL

Garfield's triumphant vindication.

History of the Credit Mobilier Scheme— The Pacific Railway— Government Aid extended to H. Oakes Ames' Connection with the Road — Congress Investigates the Credit Mobilier— General Garfield's sworn Testimony before the Committee — He denies all Improper Connection with the Scheme— Publishes a Review of the Case— An Exhaustive Discussion of the Case— Testimony in the Matter— General Garfield's Response to the Charges of 1873— Mr. Ames' Testimony Analyzed— Mr. Ames' Memoranda— The Check on the Sergeant-at-Arms- General Garfield's Interviews with Mr. Ames during the Investigation — Conclusions — Triumphant Vindication of General Garfield— All the Charges against him — Letter of Judge Poland— General Garfield Unanimously Acquitted of Wrong-doing — The De Golyer Pavement Company — Charges against General Garfield— His Triumphant Vindication of hia Course— The Truth established at last.

CHAPTER X.

THE CHICAGO CONVENTION. GENERAL GARFIELD NOMINATED

FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Chicago Convention — Description of the Hall — General Garfield a Delegate from Ohio — Cordial Reception by the Convention— Opening of the Proceedings— The First Day's Work — Events of the Second Day— The Struggle between Grant and Blaine— Parliamentary Skirmishing — Proceedings of the Third Day — Report of the Committee on Credentials — The Evening Session— The Fight over Illinois — The Fourth Day's Session — The Grant Lmes show Signs of Weakness — Garfield's Masterly Management of the Ohio Delegation— Nomination of Candidates — Blaine and Grant Presented — General Garfield Nominates John Sher-

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man— A Noble Speech— The Fifth Day's Session— Balloting for the Presidential Candidates— A Stubborn Fight— A Detailed Statement of the Ballots— The Sixth and Last Day— Wisconsin Votes for Garfield— The General endeavors to Stop the Movement in his Favor — He is unsuccessful—The Break to Garfield— The Thirty-sixth Ballot— Garfield Nominated for the Presidency— Exciting Scenes in the Convention— The Nomination Made Unanimous— Nomination of Vice-President— How Garfield's Nomination was brought about— Platform of the Republican Party for 1880.

CHAPTER XI.

GENERAL GARFIELD SINCE THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.

The Nomination unsought by General Garfield— Congratulatory Telegrams — How the News was received in Congress — Scene in the House — General Garfield notified of his Nomination— His Reply— Returns Home — Reception at Cleveland — General Garfield presides at the Reunion of Hiram College— His Speech on that Occasion — A Glance at the Past — Reception at Mentor — Visit to Painesville — General Garfield addresses his Neighbors— Sunday at Home- General Garfield returns to Washington City — His Journey — A Serenade at Washington — Speech of General Garfield — Adjournment of Congress— Fourth of July Speech at Painesville- General Garfield's Letter accepting the Nomination for the Presidency — Personal Characteristics— General Garfield's Washington Home— The Farm at Mentor — The Garfield Family.

CHAPTER, XII.

Birth and Parentage — College Life — Teaches a Country School — Studies Law — Admitted to Practice — Settles in New York — Marries the Daughter of a Hero — Defends two Fugitive Slaves — Carries his Case to a Triumphant Issue — Appointed Engineer-in-Chief of Governor Morgan's StafiF— An Honorable Record — Refuses to accept Presents for his Public Services — His Record on Civil Service Reform — Made Collector of tha Port of New York — Puts a stop to Frauds upon the Government — Attempts to fasten Charges of Fraud upon Him are Unsuccessful — Removed from Office by President Hayes — Offered the post of Consul General to Paris — Refuses it — Personal Appearance — Nominated for Vice-President — His Letter of Acceptance, •

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THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

OF

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

Chapter I. Childhood And Early Years

Birth and Parentage — Rev. Hosea Ballou — Death of James Garfield's Father — A Western Widow— Jules Garfield resolves to keep the Family together — Boyhood of James Garfield — Brought up to Hard Work — An Industrious Boy — James determines to obtain an Education — A Poor Boy's Struggles — The Village School — James makes an excellent listener — Becomes a Boatman on the Ohio Canal — Is Promoted— Wishes to be a Sailor — A Fortunate Illness — James Garfield makes the Acquaintance of Samuel D. Bates — Resolves to go to School — At the Academy — A Struggle for an Education — Garfield at the Carpenter's Bench — Becomes a School Teacher — Leaves the Academy — Finds a Friend who helps him to enter College — His Reasons for Selecting Williams College — His Career there — Graduates with distinction.

James Abraham Garfield was born in the village of Orange, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, about twelve miles from Cleveland, on the 19th of November, 1831. His parents were both of New England extraction. His father was Abraham Garfield, a native of Otsego County, New York, but the ancestors of Abraham Garfield had 2 resided in Massachusetts for generations. Ilis mother's maiden name was Eliza Ballou. She was a native of New Hampshire, and was a niece of the Rev. Hosea Ballou, one of the most distinguished Universalist divines of his day.*

James Garfield was the youngest of four .sons. When he was scarcely two years old his father died, in 1833, leaving his family in straitened circumstances. The

* As tlie connection between General Garfield and his distingnislied great uncle is exceedingly interesting, we quote here the following briet biography of the latter :

" Hosea Ballou. — An American clergyman, born at Eichmoud, N. H., April ?,0, 1771, died at Boston, June 7, 1853. He was the son of a Baptist clergyman, who was conscientiously opposed to receiving any remuneration for his professional services, and consequently he had so few advantages of education, that in learning to write he was obliged to use birch bark instead of paper, and charcoal instead of pen and ink. At the age of nineteen he joined the Baptist church under his father's care, but, having declared his belief in the final salvation of all men, he was excommunicated. He began to preach at the age of twenty-one, and in 1794 was settled at Dana, Mass. In 1801 he removed to Barnard, Vermont, while in 1804 he wrote his ' Notes on the Parables' and ' Treatise on the Atonement.' In 1807 he became pastor of the Universalist church in Portsmouth, N. H. In 1815 be removed to Salem, Mass., and in 1817 to Boston, where he became pastor of the Second Universalist church, in which location he continued for thirty-five years. In 1819 he commenced the ' Universalist Magazine,' which he conducted alone for several years, and afterwards in conjunction with the Kev. Tlxomas Whitemore. In 1831, aided by his grand-nephew, Hosea Ballou, he commenced the ' Universalist Expositor,' a quarterly publication, to which he continued to contribute until his death. Among his published works, besides those mentioned, are 26 ' Lecture Sermons,' 20 ' Select Sermons,' an ' Examination of the Poctrine of Future Retribution (1846), and a volume of poems, mostly hymns, many of which are embodied in the ' Universalist Colleciion' edited by Adams and Chapin. He preached more than ten thousand sermons, none of which were written till after their delivery. Two of his brothers, Benjamin and David, also became Universalist preachers. Two memoirs of him have been published, one by his son, M. M. Bal- ' ou, the other by Thomas Whitemore (1854)." — The American Encyclopedia, Vol. II. p. 34o.

support of the family devolved entirely upon Mrs. Garfield, but fortunately for her boys she was a vroman of rare energy and excellent business qualities. The friends of General Garfield are unanimous in declaring that it is from his mother that he inherits his capacity for work, and the patience and perseverance he dispLiys in the accomplishment of his ends. Mrs. Garfield was determined from the moment of her husband's death that the family should not be separated, but should be kept together as when the father was living. To accomplish this required a hard struggle, but she was a woman of strong faith and courage, and with the aid of her three elder boys managed to gain a frugal support from the little farm left to her by her husband. Young as he was, James was obliged to do what he could in the work of the farm, and in this way learned the habits of industry which have distinguished his manhood, and laid the foundation of his strong and vigorous constitution. He worked with a will, for he liked it, and even as a child detested idleness. When but a little fellow, it was said of him by the neighbors, that he had " not a lazy hair in his head." The farm was poor, and it required constant and hard work from all the family to get a living out of it.

From his earliest years, James was anxious to obtain a good education ; but the prospect before him was discouraging. He was a poor boy, and without friends who could assist him. Whatever he accomplished in life must be by his own exertions. This conviction became implanted in his mind at a very early day, and gave to him an earnestness of character and resoluteness of purpose remarkable in one so young. During the summer months he worked on the little farm, and in the winter he worked at the carpenter's bench, his friends thinking it best that a poor boy with his way to make in the world, should be master of some good useful trade. When he had sufficientl}^ mastered the rudiments of this trade, the neighbors employed him in such simple jobs as he was capable of performing, and in this way he was able to earn a little money.

All this while he could neither read nor write, yet he was by no means an ignorant boy. There was in Orange a so-called village school, where the villagers met in the evening during the long winters, to read and discuss such books as they possessed and the newspapers that came to them by the mail. Young Garfield was a constant attendant and an eager listener, and in this capacity picked up considerable useful information. No one would have dreamed that the illiterate boy who drank in so eagerly the prosy sentences of the county paper, would one day be the brilliant and accomplished leader of a great party, and a candidate for the highest honors in the gift of his countrymen. What a lesson of hope and encouragement does such a life hold out to the young and struggling men of America. The same means by which this man rose to fame, are open to every one who will use them as faithfully and honorably as he did.

This constant attendance upon the village school but increased the desire of young Garfield to obtain an education. But to obtain this money was indispensable, and the boy had none. Naturally he began to look about him for some avocation which would enable him to earn

MAP SHOWING THE COUNTRY FROM CHATTANOOGA TO CHICKAMAUGA— THE SCENE OF ONE OF GENERAI, GARFIELD'S CAMPAIGNS, money, and so obtain the knowledge he craved. The Ohio Canal passed within a short distance of the Garfield farm, and the lad made many acquaintances among the boatmen. From these he learned that the wages paid the canal men amounted to more than he could earn by his labor on the farm or by carpentering, and that they were paid promptly and in cash. He therefore determined to become a boatman, and when but seventeen years old succeeded in obtaining employment as driver of one of the boats. Though his position was humble in the extreme, he displayed such fidelity and diligence in the discharge of his duties that he attracted the attention of his superiors, who promoted him to the post of steersman, a position which brought him an increase of wages. He held this position for about eighteen months, working hard, and laying by as much as he could of his small earnings. In the fall of 1848, being dissatisfied with canal life, he resolved to take a step forward and ship as a sailor on one of the vessels plying on Lake Erie. Before he could carry out this resolution, however, he was seized with a severe attack of ague and fever, which compelled him to leave the canal and return to his mother's house an invalid. This sickness proved the turning-point in his life, and as a result of it, James A. Garfield, instead of burying himself in the forecastle of a ship, became one of the leading statesmen of the American Republic.

Young Garfield's illness lasted three months, and during this time he became acquainted with Samuel D. Bates, a young man engaged in teaching the district school that winter. Bates had recently been a pupil at the " Geauga Seminary," in an adjoining county, and his conversation aroused in the invalid all the old desire to obtain an education, which had almost died out under the influence of his canal-boat associates. The plan of becoming a sailor was abandoned, and the young man resolved to give all his energies now to the acquirement of knowledge. He had managed with the aid of some friends to learn to read, and could do simple examples in arithmetic, but this was the sole basis upon which he proposed to build up the structure of knowledge he meant to rear. It was enough, however, for one so ambitious and determined. His mother entered fully into his plans and hopes, and moreover was able to aid him with a little money which she had saved by the most pinching economy. With this small capital he started, in March, 1849, for the " Geauga Academy," an obscure institution located at Chester, a small country village not far from Orange. He was accompanied by a cousin and another young man from his village. The young men were too poor to pay one dollar and fifty cents a week for board, in addition to the cost of their tuition, and so they took with them frying-pans, dishes, and other cooking utensils. Upon reaching Chester they rented a room in an old unpainted frame building, not far from the academy, and during their stay there " kept house" for themselves.

From this day James A. Garfield earned his own living, and to his credit be it said never possessed a dollar that he had not gained by honest and faithful toil. He applied himself with ardor to his studies, for his heart was in his work, and failure had become among the impossibilities with him. His industry enabled him to distance his competitors, and he soon took rank as the most promising pupil in the academy. During all this while he earned his own living. He found work with the carpenters of Chester, and his mornings and evenings and Saturdays were spent in working in the shop. He earned fair wages, and was thus enabled to pay his way as he went. As may be imagined, he had few leisure moments ; but work with him was a pleasure, and he had the happiness and encouragement of feeling that he was surely preparing himself for a man's part in the great struggle of life. When the summer vacation came, he devoted himself steadily to work, and by laying aside his earnings provided a fund for the expenses of the fall and spring terms at school. During the winter he taught a district school, and so added to his income. Thus he kept on for several years, teaching in the winter, working at the bench in the summer, and attending the academy during the fall and spring terms. He practised the most rigid economy, laying aside all he could of his earnings, for the purpose of paying for a collegiate course, upon which he was now resolved to enter. He had the fortune to enjoy excellent health during this time. He was a tall, muscular, fairhaired country lad in those days, looking a good doal like a German in spite of his pure Yankee blood. Healthy in mind and body, he was also genial in temper and ever ready to oblige a friend. He was a good wrestler and ball player as well as a good student, and was a great favorite with his classmates and teachers.

In 1854, Mr. Garfield determined to leave the academy, as he felt that he had exhausted its capacity for imparting knowledge. He was now twenty-three years old, and it was important that he should lose no time in entering college, if he meant to do so at all. During the five years he had passed at the academy and at work, he had laid by a considerable sum of money for the expenses of his collegiate course, and he was confident that his hard studies had fitted him to enter the junior class at college. But even this would require a two years' course at college, and his savings were several hundred dollars short of the amount necessary to defray his expenses. How was he to raise the balance ? For awhile this troubled him greatly ; but friends now came to his assistance, and he began to reap in part the reward of the good life he had led. His course at the academy had established for him a reputation for honesty and persistency of purpose, which now stood him in good stead. A gentleman who had watched his career with great interest, agreed to advance him the necessary money, taking }is security a life-insurance policy, which Mr. Garfield, being in excellent health, had no difficulty in securing. This loan placed him in possession of sufficient funds to carry out his plan. The next step was to determine upon a college. After canvassing the merits of various institutions, JMr. Garfield chose Williams College, at Williamstown, Mass., as the one most suited to his needs. Before leaving home, he placed his policy of life insurance in the hands of his kind friend, as security for the loan. " If I live," he said, " I will pay you. If I die, you will suffer no loss." The debt was paid soon after his graduation, and the creditor has ever since been one of Mr. Garfield's closest and most devoted friends, reaping a rich reward in the brilliant career of the young man he helped to reach fame and honors. Mr. Garfield had originally intended to attend Bethany College, the institution sustained by the church of which he was a member, and presided over by Alexander Campbell, the man above all others whom he had been taught to admire and revere. But as study and experience had enlarged his vision, he had come to see that there were better institutions outside the limits of his peculiar sect. A familiar letter of his, written about that time, from which a fortunate accident enables us to quote, shall tell us how he reasoned and acted.