The Laurel Historical Society

July 5th 1881 - letter to General George Nye, Superintendent of the Laurel Mill, from Mill director Stewart shortly after James Garfield was shot.

Note: The Republicans were having an interparty dispute between the "Stalwarts", led by Roscoe Conklin and the" Half Breeds" led by James A. Garfield's faction. Charles Guiteau, who shot Garfield, was a mentally ill man who, after being denied a patronage job, became a Stalwart supporter.

Dear General:

I share yours of this morning. I went by the limited Express train as far as Newark N. Jersey to spend Sunday & Monday at Montclair with my little family -- and just before entering the train heard the sad news. The President was to be on the same train and a gentleman on it who saw the tragedy gave me an account of it. I was wicked enough to feel and to say that I wished for a suspension of all law that the mob might seize the traducer(sic) and chop him into pieces just one inch square -- and then address themselves to Conklin and all who have defied the President's authority...
I have not recovered from the shock had no pleasure while away and was anxious to get back & have something to do. the fact is the terrible thing has made me very nervous and sick. and I can scarcely think speak or write about it without tears..
The fact is our press is too licentious and so are our public men. This tragedy is the legitimate result of Conkling's course his disrespect of the Government and his open defiance of its honest & able Executive officers. Vulgar minds cannot make nice distinctions and what an assassin feels such a man would like to do & fears to do he would for him & feels magnified in the act. Conkling doubtless regrets it much but having set the example of rebellion he is morally responsible.. He is damned & forever & forever damned and those who affiliate with him will stand with him expecorated (sic) by all good men of all parties. If the President should die there is no knowing what an indignant people may inflict if he lives he will cement all good & conservative men into one grand party which will hurl him into a second term whether he will or not. Grant is politically dead also. No third term for him. The feeling North is dangerously calm. Yours sincerely, ( ) Stewart