The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-10-01

The cup of anguish has been drained by the
Nation to the last bitter dregs James A Gar
field is dead! Once more the murderous hand of
the demoniac has stricken down our Chief Execu-
tive, and draped the land in mourning. But
profound is grief for the fate of him
whose proud career and mortal remains now en-
rich our noble heritage of the past and sincere
and heartfelt as is our sympathy for those who
were near and dear to him, we are constrained to
turn away from his pail for a few moments and
rest our gaze upon the able gentleman whom
this terrible stroke of fate has suddenly ele-
waited to the Presidential chair.
Although we shrink from the flippant heartless
ness which seems to characterize the cry, lie Roi
est mort! Vive lie ROi!'' yet we constrained to
recognize the fact that how deeply soever our af-
fections may lie buried in the grave. our hopes
and aspirations still live and persist in the belief
that there is geam of light hidden somewhere
in the future And so it is at the present moment
Although the great heart of the Nation has been
deeply wounded-been sorely lacerated. we must
now, in obedience to the first law of nature turn
to brief contemplation of the exalted parsonage
who is henceforward to give expression in Ma
tional sense to the will of the people
Chester A. Arthur. now President of the United
States, was born in Franklin County, Vermont.
October 5, 1880. He is the oldest of family of
two sons and five daughters; bis father, DR.. Will
liam Arthur, being Baptist clergyman, who en-
igrated to this country from the County Antrim,
Ireland, when but eighteen years of age. Chester,
the subject of our present illustration, was edu-
Gated at Union College, where he graduated early,
and upon leaving which he taught country
school for two years in Vermont. Here he man
aged to accumulate sum of money, with which
he started for New York, where he entered. as a
student, the law office of ex-Judge Culver. On
being admitted to the Bar, he formed a partner
ship with his intimate friend, Mr. Henry d. Gard
aua whQn hOth went West n
turned to New York and began the practice of
their profession under auspices the most fiatter-
ing. Not long after this Mr.. Arthur married the
daughter of Lieutenant Herndon, United States
Maya most amiable and educated lady, who
died but short time ago.
After distinguishing himself In some famous
trials in connection with the question of slavery.
Mr.. Arthur was delegate 10 the Convention at
Saratoga that founded the Republican party and
was subsequently, Judge Advocate of the Second
Brigade of the State Militia. He was, in addition
appointed Engineer-in-Chiefo of Governor Edwin
ID. Morgans staff soon after the Inauguration of
that gentleman. In 1861 he held the post of In
spector General, and soon afterward was advanced
to that of Lieutenant General, which he held
until the expiration of Mr.. MOrgan's term of
office. Although the war account of the State of
New York was infinitely larger than that of any
other State, yet it was the first audited and
allowed at Washington and without the de-
duction of a single dollar, while the accounts
of Quartermasters from other states Were, in
some instances, reduced from 81 100000 to
$40 OO0, ,OOO
Without any desire to indorse all the acts of
General Arthur. or set MIN up as immaculate, we
regard 1t as simple duty to do him justice so far
as he has honestly earned public commentator
and confidence. His record is before the world,
and it must have great weight with even those
who may be opposed to him on the grounds of
mere party politics.
On the expiration of Governor Morgan's term
of Office, General Arthur returned to the practice
of his professiOn and for short period held the
position of counsel TO the Board of Tax Commits
sioners. at a salary of $4,000 per annum. In 1871
President Grant nominated him to the vacant
GOllectorship of the Port of New York, and four
years later when his term expired renominated
him. In 1878 he removed from Office by
President Hayes although very high testimony
was borne to his efficiency in every possible rela-
tion by the Bench and Bar and by all the leading
members of the mercantile community of New
York. Since that period he had been practicing
his profession with marked success up TO the
hour which placed him in his present exalted 20
sition.
| And now that he has assumed the performance
of the high duties that have devOlyed upon him
we can not but anticipate that the most cords
support will be accorded to HIM by all classes of
politician. He is now.the President of the whole
people OF the United States, and not portion CT
| them only. We may reasonably expect at bis
hands fair play for the:Nation as whole, and a
still further display of those admirable qualities
| which have hitherto characterized him in both
| private and public life.