Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/145

 BLAINE

a Lake Erie schooner — was a fprmer boy's device for earning money, just as the New England lad begins a possibly great career by sailing be- fore the mast on a coasting vessel or on a mer- chantman bound to the Farther India or to the China Seas.

No manly man feels anything of shame in looking back to early struggles with adverse circumstances, and no man feels a worthier pride than when he has conquered the obstacles to his progress. But no one of noble mold desjres to be looked upon as having occupied a menial posi- tion, as having been repressed by a feeling of inferiority, or as having suffered the evils of poverty until relief was found at the hand of charity. General Garfield's youth presented no hardships which family love and family energy did not overcome, subjected him to no privations which he did not cheerfully accept, and left no memories save those which were recalled with de- light, and transmitted with profit and with pride.

With possibly a single exception, Garfield was the youngest member in the House when he en- tered, and was but seven years from his college graduation. But he had not been in his seat sixty days before his ability was recognized and his place conceded. He stepped to the front with the confidence of one who belonged there. The House was crowded with strong men of both parties; nineteen of them have since been trans- ferred to the Senate, and many of them have served with distinction in the gubernatorial 115

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