Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-07-15
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

To deny that there was some opposition
to the nomination of Mr.. Arthur would
be to ignore what is known to everybody
The objection to him we are convinced,
arose mainly through want Of intimate
knowledge of the man on the part of the
public and through misapprehension Of
his record. In Chester A. Arthur the
party and the country have the assurance
that the candidate is a man thoroughly
imbued with the principles of the party,
whose integrity the most venomus op-
ponent has never dared to asperse, and
whose capacity and culture are as un-
questioned as his integrity.
Gen. Arthur distinguished himself in
his profession many years ago as a champi-
on of the legal rights of the colored race.
This he did at time when Northern
public sentiment, bending to the insolent
demands of the slave power, was by no
means as stalwart as it has since become,
and when there was little better than
scorn and contempt for the advocate who
had the courage to brave cruel public
sentiment by claiming for the black man
all the rights which were his by virtue of
the Constitution and the law. Saturated
with the principles of freedom for all, with
out regard to color, it was not strange
that he became Republican. Wise in
council as he was bold in action, he be-
came leader of men, and to his dis
cretion and courage the Republican party
in his State-New York-has very large
ly been indebted for its brilliant successes
over its astute and unscrupulous adver-
saries. Gov. E. d. Morgan, quick to ap-
preciate General Arthurs rare abilities.
placed him in a responsible position upon
his staff, where he was able to render
most effective service in marshaling the
hosts which the Empire State sent to the
field in the hour of the nations peril.
Amid arduous labors he never wearied !;
encountering discouragements, he never
faltered; environed with difficulties, he
never wavered; called to assume sudden
and vast responsibilities, he never quailed;
surrounded by temptations to acquire
wealth by irregular practices, he never
yielded; and at the end of Gov. Morgan's
term surrendered his office without stain
upon him.
For several years he administered the
affairs of the New York Custom House
as Collector of the port with singular skill
and ability. When, under new admin
istration, bis Office was wanted for anoth-
er he declined to accept different and
higher position as the price of his resig-
nation. preferring rather to submit to re-
moval than to appear unfaithful to the
personal friends who were champions Of
his cause. Hostile Investigations searched
his record and his acts, as with a micro
scope, in the vain attempt to fasten upon
him any corruption or dereliction in duty.
Never before or since his term have the
affairs of the New York Custom House
been administered with greater skill and
intelligence. Thoroughly master of the
intricate and complicated system of the
revenue laws, he was in fact, as well as
in law, the head of his department.
In the local politics of the city of New
York Gen. Arthur has held most in
fuential position. Through all the
mazes and intricacies which have charac.
terized the politics of that city he has,
with q clear head and resolute will,
guided his party from one success to
another. So difficult service, admins