San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-29
President Arthur.


can the following fair and judicious
editorial, which we copy and adopt
President Chester A. Arthur has a
brief biography. His father was
Rev. William Arthur, a Baptist clergy
man, who oscillated between New
England and Canada. So uncertain
was his place Of residence that it has
been claimed that the son, now presi-
dent, was born in the queens domin
ions. Rev. William Arthur is said to
have been an Irishman of County
Antrim. Chester A. Arthur was born
in Vermont, Franklin county, on the
9Th of October, 1880, and consequent.
ly, will be 81 years old on the 5th OF
next month. He is thus IN the very
prime of manhood, and is said to be
an excellent specimen Of physical de-
velopment. He graduated from
Union College in 1S49, and studied
law in the office of Z. d. Culver OF
New York. He never distinguished
himself at the bar. There was print
ed in the Republican few days ago
an account Of some notoriety he gain
in o fugitive slave case, or rather a
case in which he succeeded in con-
nection with Mr.. Evarts in getting
several slaves, the property OF a So
iourning Virginian i'll New York, set
free. He was early in the republican
ranks, and had some local reputation
in the primitive days Of the party.
He obtained his rank Of general by
appointment to the position of in.
spector.gener.l, under Gov. Morgan
OF New York. He cut no military
figure during the war. Probably he
did not hear gun fired. He succeeded
by his personal bearing, engaging
manners and good living, in ingratiat-
ing himself with Gen. Grant, who in
1871, appointed him collector OF Gus
toms for tho port Of New York, which
place he held till removed on the 18th
of July 1878, by Mr.. Hayes, for al,
legged cause that his office was not
honestly and efficiently managed.
Secretary Sherman endorsed the est.
mate of the then collector. He was
nominated to the vice presidency at
Chicago to conciliate Conkling and
the stalwarts and Was elected because
his ticket was. Gen. Arthur was be-
fore the war, married to the daughter
of that gallant Capt. Herndon OF the
navy, who, if our memory serves,
went down at SEA on the steamer San
Francisco. His wife was Virginia
lady and the family one Of high stand
ing. Gen. Arthur has won the most
enviable portion of his reputation by
the dignlfed and manly conduct
which has characterized him since the
assault on the life of President Gar
field. The country is ready to give
him fair trial. He succeeds with
out shock, and without dispute or
protest, to the vacant presidential
office. as well as to its duties, to hold
the one and discharge the other, to
the end of the term for which Mr..
Garfield and himself were chosen.
There is no one to question his right.
The whole country recognizes his au-
thority; the army and navy and the
people behind them submit to him as
the rightful president.
1t were vain to disguise that the
country awaits the development of
the new presidents policy, not with
alarm, but with something of anxiety.
Mr.. Arthrs unfortunate relations
with President Garfield and his asso-
Citations with certain prominent repub-
licans who were were not friends of the
Garfield administration, have caused
much speculation as to what he would
do in the event of his being called to
the high office. These speculations
are now about at an end. He has
entered the high office and his policy
will shortly speak for itself. Had
MIR. Arthur come suddenly into the
presidency the change would have
been rash and disagreeable shock
to the people. But the long illness
of his predecessor gave time for the
change 20 be thoroughly and fairly
talked about and for the public to
become reconciled to the new chief
magistrate. and we believe that the
general disposition in the country to-
day is to give President Arthur a fair
showing and not to preiuige him or
he -,-orl-