Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/282

 234 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS the liberal hospitalities of the executive mansion with ease and dignity, and in such a way as to meet universal commendation from citizens and for eigners alike. He had a full and strong mind, lit erary taste and culture, a retentive memory, and was apt in illustration by analogy and anecdote. He reasoned coolly and logically, and was never one-sided. The style of his state papers is simple and direct. He was eminently conscientious, wise, and just in purpose and act as a public official; had always the courage to follow his deliberate convic tions, and remained unmoved by importunity or attack. He succeeded to the presidency under pe culiarly distressing circumstances. The factional feeling in the republican party, which the year be fore had resulted in the nomination of Gen. Gar- field for president as the representative of one fac tion, and of himself for vice-president as the repre sentative of the other, had measurably subsided during the canvass and the following winter, only to break out anew immediately after the inaugura tion of the new administration, and a fierce con troversy was raging when the assassination of President Garfield convulsed the nation and cre ated the gravest apprehensions. Cruel mis judg ments were formed and expressed by men who would now hesitate to admit them. The long weeks of alternating hope and fear that preceded the president s death left the public mind perturbed