The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-09-30
THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.

THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.
"Earth TO earth and dust to dust" The
cycle is complete In fifty years. Graded In
the forest; entombed in the great city risen
since. From obscurity to wcrld-fame, sip
ping The cup of Want and satisfied with
Plenty, from the cabin aud toll TO the Capt.
toll and supreme command In those short
years, and through all . Christian gentleman
rising by the force of intellect, courage, In
tegrity, and free government. Dying loved
by all and hated by none, and buried with
nation In tears while the world did rever-
ence, what precept and exhortaticn was the
life of James A. Garfield, President Of the
United States of America. His mortal re-
mains are confided to the mother Earth his
name Is craven on the roll of the immor:als;
his soul IL with Him who gave.
"Peace, let him rest, 49,
God knoweth best"
Garfield Is dead Arthur Ia President. The
Republic has passed through another crisis,
peacefully, sadly, half heart broken indeed,
yet with but one resolve, sorrow for the dead,
allegiance to the living. No armed legions
fifty million Americans was q phalanx the
world could not have broken. No cohorts
protected his successor to the Capitol; the
fidelity Of fifty million patriots was the sur
est escort he could have, and an American
gentleman In the presence of few friends
took the oath and was inaugurated as chief
magistrate Of the nation. Why should 1t be
otherwise? Yet why should 1t beso? The
country had been wrenched and tossed In the
boisterousness Of political contest--a con-
test Of factions within the dominant party, 1t
Is true-yet pervading as national issue
and to depth that troubled all the deeps.
The head of the nation was stricken down
by an assassin In the fiercest of the agitation.
He represented one force In the contest. III
he should die his successor would be the rep
resentative Of the other, and the assassin Is
reputed to have done his work with "Stal-
wart on his knavish lips. But above all
this the nation rose majestically and grandly,
putting away prejudice and party by the bed
side of the sufferer, putting away party and
prejudice when considering his successor and
handing him the sceptre twined with mari.
gold and myrtle. "God reigns, and the gov
eminent at Washington still lives" 1t Is In
such crises as this that revolutions have risen
and governments have gone down, bat from
this the American Republic has come forth
stronger and more steadfast, with a purer
patriotism and proven faith. The founda-
tions Of the government were laid broad and
deep; they have been cemented firm and
strong may they stand ever and Away.
The new administration begins suspicious
ly. The shallow scars of the election are ef-
faced. With President Garfield dead Arthur
stood alone between order and anarchy. He
took the oath as President. This left the
Senate without President and the House is
without q Speaker. The life of Arthur
stands yet alone between order and anarchy.
Should he die now there would be no one In
these United States upon whom the Chief
Magistracy would lawfully devolve. 1t IS
perilous security, and hence the meeting Of
Congress In December is anticipated by the
converting Of the Senate In extra session De-
tober 10th for the election of q presiding Of
ficer and other business. That Democrat
will be elected Ii inevitable, but that would
be the case In December as now, and even If
1t would not the safety Of the government Ia
paramount to party interests. The admis-
sion Of Lapham and Miller from New York
and the successor to Burnside from Rhode
Island, will be considered after the reorgani-
zation, and rs they will restore the recent po-
litical status of the body, 1t is not probable
the committees will be politically disturbed.
The expressed anticipation In many quar-
tiers that the Cabinet officers would not be
disturbed but would continue In their re-
spective positions, seems not likely TO be ver-
flied. Neither Is 1t likely that the policies of
the late administration will In all respects be
adhered to. Who asks or expects that of
President Arthur asks aud expects that which
Is unreasonable. IL Is said now that Presi-
dent Garfield contemplated changes In his
Cabinet, and 1t Is known that he considered
the arrangement with Conkling the mistake
Of his life. 1t Is but just that the President
should select his immediate advisors of his
own free will and accord, and 1t would be
asking an evident wrong that he should con-
tinue where his predecessor had erred. A
chief magistrate has the right to have his
friends about him, and 1t is best for the ma
ton. A house divided against itself will not
stand, and a weak administration is q bad
one. 1t Is fair to presume that Arthur will
tender some of the portfolios to eminent men
1t m early day, and that practical business
sense which Is one Of his strong characterize
les il assurance of Cabinet against which
- - - ~