“I don’t know Mollie Garfield very well, for I never saw her, but I am so sorry for her, ‘cause her poor papa got shot.”
With the invitation to attend the Garfield memorial service came this note:
“Washington, February 18, 1882.
“My dear Mr. Field,—You must come to the address on the 27th, Monday. You will go on the floor with me. I should feel that my audience was incomplete if you were not present.
Sincerely,
“James G. Blaine.”
As he had received the thanks of Congress, he was entitled for life to the privilege of going upon the floor.
A message sent from the Yorktown celebration, in October, 1881, to Mr. Gladstone, called forth this answer:
“Hawarden Castle, Chester,
“October 21, 1881.
“Dear Mr. Cyrus Field,—I thank you for your telegram. The gratifying intelligence which it contains may probably come through another channel. In the meantime, unofficially, I express the hope that we may one and all consider it a personal duty to cherish and foster the feelings so admirably expressed in the President’s order, and prevailing, happily, alike on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I remain, very faithfully yours,
“Wm. E. Gladstone.”