himself for college. When he came to Hiram he started on the preparatory
course, to enter college, expecting it would take four years. Deciding
now to enter some eastern institution, he wrote a letter to the
president of each of the leading colleges in the east, telling them how
far he had progressed. They all replied that he could enter the junior
year, and thus graduate in two years from his entrance. He had
accomplished the preparatory course, generally requiring four solid
years, and had advanced two years on his college course. He had crowded
six years into three, beside supporting himself. If ever a man was
worthy of success Garfield was. He decided to enter Williams College,
where he graduated in 1856, thus came that institution to grasp the
honor of giving to the United States of America one of our most popular
presidents. The grasp of the mind of Garfield, even at this early
period, can be seen by glancing at the title of his essay, "The Seen and
the Unseen." He next became a professor; later, principal of the college
at Hiram.

In the old parties Garfield had little interest, but when the Republican
party was formed he became deeply interested, and became somewhat noted
as a stump orator for Fremont and Dayton. In 1860 he was sent to the
State senate, and while there began preparation for the legal
profession, and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The war broke out about
this time, which prevented his opening an office, and he was
commissioned a colonel, finally a major-general. His career in the army
was brief, but very brilliant, and he returned home to go to Congress.
In Washington his legislative career was very successful. He proved to
be an orator of no mean degree of ability, his splendid education made
him an acknowledged scholar, and he soon became known as one of the
ablest debaters in Congress, serving on some of the leading committees.

When Ohio sent her delegation to the Republican National Convention, of
1880, pledged for Sherman, Garfield was selected as spokesman. His
speech, when he presented the name of John Sherman, coming, as it did,
when all was feverish excitement, must be acknowledged as a master-piece
of the scholarly oratory of which he was master. Conkling had just
delivered one in favor of Grant, the effect of which was wonderful. The
Grant delegates 'pooled' the flags, which marked their seats, marched
around the aisles and cheered and yelled as if they were dwellers in
Bedlam, j