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17
Washington D.C.
August 11, 1881
Dear Mother

Dont be disturbed
by conflicting reports about
my condition. It is true
I am still weak. and
on my back. but I am
gaining Every day, and
need only time and patience
to bring me through
Give mylove to all thee
reliatives & frends &
especially to sisters [Holly]
and Mary -- Your loving
son -- James A Garfield

Ms Eliza Garfield

[Hiran] Ohio

PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S LAST LETTER
FAC-SIMILE OF THE HISTORICAL LETTER TO HIS MOTHER PENNED BY HIM WHILE UPON HIS
BED OF SUFFERING.

(GARFIELD DIED 1882.)
He was simply ans staunchly true to his duty,
alike in the large case and the small. So all
true souls ever are, _ Mystery of Edwin Drood

JOHN G. WHITTIER ON PRESIENT
GARFIELD.

The following letter from John G.
Whittier was read at the funeral services
of President Garfield, held in Amesbury,
Mass:

DANVERS, MASS., 9th mo. 24, 1881.
W. H. B. Currier : - MY DEAR FRIEND.-
I regret that it is not in my power to join
the citizens of Amesbury and Salisbury
in the memorial services on the occasion
of the death of our lamented President.
But, in heart and sympathy, I am with
you. I share the great sorrow which
overshadows the land; I fully appreciate
the irretrievable loss. But it seems to me
that the occasion is one for thankfulness
as well as grief. Through all the stages
of the solemn tragedy which has just
closed with the death of our noblest and
best,I have that divince Providence
was overruling the mighty affliction--that
the patient sufferer at Washington was
drawing with chords of sympathy all sections
tions and parties nearer to each other.
And now, when South and North, Democrat
crat and Republican, radical and conservative,
lift their voices in one unbroken accord
of lamentation; when I see how, in
spite of the greed of gain, the lust office,
the strife and meanness of party politics,
the great heart of the Nation proves
sound and loyal, I feel a new hope for the
Republic; I have a firmer faith in its
stability. It is said that no man liveth
and no man dieth to himself; and the
pure and noble life of Garfield, and his
slow, long martydom, so bravely borne
in the view of all, are I believe, bearing
for us as a people "the peaceful 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 or language
where the voice of his praise is not heard.
About his grave gathers, 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 out material interests prosper, the
moral and spiritual influence of this occasion
may be permanently felt, that the solemn
sacrament of sorrow whereof we have
been partakers mat be blessed to the promotion
of the "righteousness which exalts a nation." Thy friend,

JOHN G. WHITTIER