Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-16
For Vice.PresIdent.


father, Rev. William Arthur, was a Baptist
clergyman. We well remember him as q
nextdoor neighbor in our boyhood, in the
town Of Waterville, Lamoille county. He
came to that locality from the adjoining
town Of Bakersfield, we believe, but had pre-
viously resided in Burlington, Jericho, and
perhaps other places in Vermont. j. II.
Bostwick, Esq, Of Montpelier was pupil
of his at Burlington, and well recollects his
officiating as toast master on the memora-
BILE occasion of Lafayette's visit TO that
place. Prior to his labors in Waterville he
belonged to the Free Will Baptist deuomin-
alton, but while there he united with aud
was ordained by the Calvinist Baptists.
Finely educated and overlooking with gen.
uine Irish wit Elder Arthur proved any
thing but comforter to his opponents in
those days when sectarian controversy ran
high. The mother of General Arthur was
a Scotch lady whom his father married in
Waterloo, Province of Quebec, before coming
to the States. Soon after 1880, Mr.. Arthur
removed to the neighborhood of Troy, New
York, where he remained until his death,
some five or six years since.
General Arthur received an excellent ed
ucation, graduating from Union college with
high honors, in the class of '4S. Complet
ing his law studies, he was admitted to the
bar in 1850, when he removed to New York
and entered upon the practice of the law,
which he has since followed with distin-
guished success save when called to fill re-
sponsible military or civil positions. Two
of the most noted achievements of Mr. Ar
thurs professional life will greatly commend
him to the confidence and support of peo-
pie who have just paid so much blood and
treasure for the rich boon of universal lib
erty. His first great case was the well known
suit of Jonathan Lennon of Virginia to re-
cover possession of eight slaves that had
been declared free by Judge Paine of the
superior court of New York city. Lennon
had incautiously been passing through New
York with his slaves, intending to ship them
to Texas when they were discovered and
freed by order of Judge Paine. The judge
was of the opinion that the fugitive slave
law did not hold these slaves. The state Of
Virginia directed its Encouragement to ap-
peal from Judge Paine's decision. The leg
islature of New York responded to the chal-
lenge by requesting the governor to employ
counsel to defend the case. Mr.. Arthur was
appointed. He associated with himself Will
liam NJ. Evarts, and argued the case before
the supreme court. That court sustained
Judge Paine's decision. The case was then
appealed to the court of appeals. There
also the judgment of Judge Paine was af-
frmed-and henceforth no stakeholder
dared venture into New York state with his
slaves. Even as late as 1856 colored people
were not permitted to ride on the street cars
in New York city. Lizzie Jennings, col
ored woman Of excellent character, superin-
tendent of a Suuday-school, was roughly ex-
PEELED from Fourth avenue car because she
was black. She brought suit against the
railroad company, and applied to Mr.. Arthur
for advice. He accepted charge of the case,
aud managed it before Brooklyn court.
The jury gave verdict of $500 damages in
favor Of the colored woman. The $500 was
paid by the railroad company; and hence
forth colored people ride without question
on the cars of all the street lines in New
York. All these events led to the formation
of the Republican party in which Mr.. Ar
thur took prominent part.
During the war good service was rendered
by Mr.. Arthur January l, 1861, he was
appointed engineer-in-chief by Governor
Morgan of his stats. January 1T. 1ooz, ne
was appointed quartermaster.general on
Governor Morgan's staff. November 90,
1871, he was appointed collector of the port
of New York by President Grant, to sue
coed Thomas Murphy, and was reappointed
in December, 1875. He was removed by
President Hayes, July IL, 1872 despite the
fact that two special committees made
searching investigation into his administra-
ton, and reported themselves unable to find
anything upon which to base charge
against him. In their pronunciamentos an
nouncng the change both President Hayes
aud Secretary Sherman bore official witness
to his integrity while in office. September
Is, 1879, he was elected chairman of the
Republican state committee. 1t was largely
due to his skillful management that the
campaign was such successful one-all but
one of the Republican candidates for state
officers being elected. Mr.. Arthur's wife, q
very estimable woman-the daughter of
Captain Herndon, who was lost on the Cen
trail America-died in New York city during
the past winter. She had two children, who
are both living.
OF General Arthur's nomination the AL.
bany Journal, an anti-Conkling and anti
Grant paper of the highest standing for
ability and influence, says
1t was proper that New York should have the
dent, and that being conceded was enlneny proper that
viii dignity the ONCE by his integrity and ability Very
few the rendered important
a PssrS Or % ssSss Ie 80 @
was general Of The state under Governor
Morgan during the most critical period OF the war II was
energy and honesty In It's adnnsiraion Geneis Arthur
possessed these Qualities IN an eminent dee and
the admiration Of al who cognizan OF the hecuean
labos which the exigenc OF the times imposed upon the
incumbent OF that office. Then since General Arthur
enjoyed the unlimited confidence and friendship OF Gov
Morgan because he deserved both well because
bis and oc,l integrity because Of his patriotic
efficiency and zeal lie equally faithful and efficient
collector of the port OF New York His removal from
ONCE resulted from no dsrnst OF his integrity OF fidelity
but he would not forego his right IN render leg
the party whose principles he
he deemed essential To the national welfare
Ills displacement mistake which the people VIII bt
glad To rectfy by placing him In the high office for which
he is nominated General Arhurs personal qualifications
for the office uDquestoned. with scholarly tastes
culture he combines quckness OF perception great admin
strave tact and the instincts and bearing OF gentleman
He will preside with dignity and promptly and hold
the confidence and Of his associates In ONCE. Hi
nomination polite as 1t was deserved. He wal
the most conspicuous and earnest friends Of Genera
Grant lie sought his nomination because he believed
the snrest guarantee OF Iheconvenuon having de
cded otherwise 1t wise and 10 place Of tn
foremost Of General Grants friends the ticket with III
successfu candidate. That did and that General