rapidly recognized and utilized, that this particular form of swift
promotion is really possible. But while Garfield was still at his
Institute, he was taking a vigorous part in local politics, especially
on the slavery question. Whenever there was a political meeting at
Hiram, the young schoolmaster was always called upon to take the anti-
slavery side; and he delivered himself so effectively upon this
favourite topic that he began to be looked upon as a rising political
character. In America, politics are less confined to any one class than
in Europe; and there would be nothing unusual in the selection of a
schoolmaster who could talk to a seat in the local or general
legislature. The practice of paying members makes it possible for
comparatively poor men to offer themselves as candidates; and politics
are thus a career, in the sense of a livelihood, far more than in any
other country.

In 1858, Garfield married a lady who had been a fellow-student of his in
earlier days, and to whom he had been long engaged. In the succeeding
year, he got an invitation which greatly pleased and flattered him. The
authorities at Williams College asked him to deliver the "Master's
Oration" at their annual festival; an unusual compliment to pay to so
young a man, and one who had so recently taken his degree. It was the
first opportunity he had ever had for a pleasure-trip, and taking his
young wife with him (proud indeed, we may be sure, at this earliest
honour of his life, the precursor of so many more) he went to
Massachusetts by a somewhat roundabout but very picturesque route, down
the Great Lakes, through the Thousand Islands, over the St. Lawrence
rapids, and on to Quebec, the only town in America which from its old-
world look can lay claim to the sort of beauty which so many ancient
European cities abundantly possess. He delivered his address with much
applause and returned to his Ohio home well satisfied with this pleasant