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Garfield, and his slow, long martyrdom, so bravely borne(in view of all, are, I believe, bearing for us as a people ‘the peaceable fruits of righteousness.’
We are stronger, wiser, better, for them.
With him it is well.
His mission fulfilled, he goes to his grave by the Lakeside honored and lamented as man never was before.
The whole world mourns him. There is no speech nor language where the voice of his praise is not heard.
About his grave gather, with heads uncovered, the vast brotherhood of man.
And with us it is well, also.
We are nearer a united people than ever before.
We are at peace with all; our future is full of promise; our industrial and financial condition is hopeful.
God grant that, while our material interests prosper, the moral and spiritual influence of the occasion may be permanently felt; that the solemn sacrament of Sorrow, whereof we have been made partakers, may be blest to the promotion of the righteousness which exalteth a nation.
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Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company, 1888-89.
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