These words the poet heard in Paradise, Uttered by one who, bravely dying here, In the true faith, was living in that sphere, Where the Celestial Cross of sacrifice Spread its protecting arms athwart the skies; And, set thereon, like jewels crystal clear, The souls magnanimous, that knew not fear, Flashed their effulgence on his dazzled eyes. Ah, me! how dark the discipline of pain, Were not the suffering followed by the sense Of infinite rest and infinite release! This is our consolation; and again A great soul cries to us in our suspense: "I come from martyrdom unto this peace!" CAMBRIDGE, MASS, Sept 26, 1881. _The Independent._ GARFIELD, PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE. (Died Sept. 19, 1881.) What is this silence, that calls? What is this deafness that hears? The silence is Death. Like a voice it falls; It rings in the heedless ears That never shall hearken again To the words of our blame or praise, Nor the low-hushed moan of a nation's pain As it rolls through the darkened days! And the motionless body must yield To the spell of that hushed command. Oh, that one of us, dying, had been the shield To save that life for our land! Man that was trusted of men-- Brave, and not fearing to die More than to face life's meanness, when It clamored its partisan lie! Though you leave us, we lose you not! In the Republic you live Sacred, and part of its deathless lot, For whose life your life you give. Garfield--the name so plain, The name we knew so well!-- The name we shall never forget again, Of the man who for honesty fell! Like another Winkelried, You drew to yourselves the spears Of tyrannous hate, though yourself must bleed; And left us--our pride and our tears. Legacy meet and rare, Of one who dared to be pure! In the hearts of the people who love what is fair, That precious renown shall endure. O sorrow that falls like a stone In the midst of the calm of our peace, As the waves of pity around you have grown, So may our truth increase! GEORGE PARSONS LATHROP. IN ENGLAND, Sept. 20, 1881. _New York Tribune._ PRESIDENT GARFIELD.