Garfield’s whistle stop – 1880

By Mat Rapacz

In the presidential election of 1880, when newspapers were the chief media outlet and railroads the preferred method of transportation — and the country was a lot smaller both in terms of population and area — General James A. Garfield, Republican nominee for president, brought his campaign to Little Falls on August 4 with a “whistle stop” on the New York Central.

The blatantly Republican Journal and Courier described Garfield’s visit in its August 10 edition: “The trip of Gen. Garfield from Buffalo to New York was a continuous ovation to one of the noblest men this country has ever seen — a man who, we verily believe, will be recognized as one of the noblest, truest, and best of all the noble, true and good men this country has ever produced.

“The train stopped but a very few moments in our village. It was greeted as it whistled by the reverberation of cannon placed upon the hillside and as it drew up to the station the cheers of the multitude and the music of the band were a hearty welcome, even though the heavy rain was falling rapidly. The tops of the cars and buildings were occupied by eager listeners and all were gratified with the opportunity thus given them to see the features and hear the voice of him who it is more and more evident to be the next president of the United States.”

Garfield, 48, from Ohio, was a major general during the Civil War and senator-elect when he was nominated for president in the summer of 1880. His speech at Little Falls was brief: “I believe it was about seventeen years ago (a voice: ‘twelve’) was it only 12? (Note: Garfield spoke in Little Falls in 1868) Well, I then saw the people of this place and we had a meeting here. I have not forgotten your little village nor the kindness you then showed me, and I am grateful to you for having turned out in this inclement weather in order to give me such a welcome.”

There were brief shouts and cheers, and baskets of flowers and fruits were presented to Garfield as Rep. Frank Hiscock gave a short campaign speech. The Journal and Courier noted, “The entire reception was a fine success despite the rain, and all those present will in the future have reason to proudly remember the day.”

The newspaper continued to praise Garfield throughout his campaign. For example, one article concerning a Garfield speech was headed “Garfield on the stump — a thrilling appeal to young men — eloquence which stirs like the sound of a trumpet.”

It is interesting to contrast this with the newspaper’s articles about General Winfield Scott Hancock, Garfield’s Democratic opponent and a hero of the battle of Gettysburg. An article on August 3, 1880, for instance, began, “We had intended to publish the letter of acceptance of General Hancock, but it has nothing in it that has any claim to originality and is simply a string of platitudes without one thought which has not already been before the public mind; without one pronounced idea that a composition of a school boy of either party might not contain.”

Garfield beat Hancock in the November election 214-155 in electoral votes but by only 7,000 popular votes. Garfield had little chance to fulfill the greatness predicted for him. On July 2, 1881, fewer than four months after taking office, the president was shot by Charles Guiteau, a disappointed office seeker, at a railroad station in Washington. Although there was strong hope for his recovery, Garfield died on September 19, 1881, at his home in New Jersey. He was succeeded by Chester A. Arthur, former governor of New York.

The Journal and Courier eulogized Garfield, in part, “His whole life will be treasured as a glorious example, as a sublime history, forever enshrined in the hearts of a grateful country.” On September 27, a memorial service for Garfield called by the Galpin Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, attracted an “immense assemblage” at the Skinner Opera House.