Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-05
After the Funeral.


The nation has buried its murdered pres
dent With the performance of the last
ervice il can render the dead, duty to the
living presses its demands upon the coun-
trys attention. In turning away from the
impressive ceremonies with which the ma
ton consigned TO its native dust the dust
of its late chief executive, parties and
individuals will find the same questions
which have divided them still confronting
them. Their discussion must still go on,
and the sharp antagonisms OF opposing
policies and opinions must inevitably be
renewed Men honestly differ on principles
and in judgment and stoutly maintain the
correctness of the one and the soundness of
the other. These things are not matters OF
feeling. General Garfield has had no sim
cerer tributes paid him than those which
have come from his strongest political oppo-
nents, but the softening influences OF his
later sufferings and death can not be expect
ed to modify an honest mans conviction or
radically change his action with reference
to questions of national policy. The old
conflicts must go on and reach their deci
sion precisely the same as If president
had not been assassinated, and awakened
the profoundest sympathy of the nation and
of the whole civilized world. Still it is
true that something more of candor, of
charity, of manliness, may be borne away
from the obsequies of the late president aud
infused into the consideration of national
questions that something of rank, unreason-
ing craftsmanship may be eliminated from
the actions of men however widely they may
differ, and that the nation may be vastly the
gamer by the tempering of asperities which
should proceed from Garfeld's grave.
The present time demands the exercise
of those virtues which Garfeld's life and
character and the softening influence of his
tragic fate enforce. At no period can their
utmost influence be more serviceable. Pres
ident Arthur's administration may be made
or unmade according as he is treated patri-
officially by all the party which placed him
in the line of succession to the presidential
office, as well as by the party which opposed
him. lie stands committed to the same
principles as his predecessor, and it is re-
membered that his letter of acceptance Of
the Chicago nomination was favorably con-
trasted at the time with that OF the head of
the ticket, and that this letter did much to
enhance the strength of his candidacy, prac-
tically removing even in the minds of that
fastidious class, the independent voters, the
objections which were urged against him in
the first flush of his nomination. He has
not only done nothing since his election to
impair that confidence, but very much to
justify and strengthen it in the minds of
candid and disinterested men. From the
first moment of the assassination his posi-
ton has been one in which no American
citizen would wish to stand. The natural
burdens Of the position were light compared
with the fire of detracton that was opened
on. him, or what, if possible, was WORSE
the sanctimonious assumption by certain
individuals and journals that he was bad
man, had kept bad company, but they hoped
and prayed that his new responsibilities
would sober him. With open hostility and
in this Pharisaic spirit he was followed
till his splendid bearing disarmed all but
the most heartless and INSCRIPTIONS of
his critics. Still he has been subjected to
a constant nagging from various sources
that is both dishonorable and incendiary
in its character, and calculated if generally
followed to produce precisely those results
which these malcontents profess to fear
and deplore. He has been warned that he
must keep the Garfield cabinet intact, or
he must at least retain Mr.. Blaine as evil
dence Of his independence of the stalwarts
that he must follow out Mr.. Garfeld's pol
icy and do under all circumstances as Mr..
Garfield would have done in the same cir
cumstances, and that any departure from this
course would be but little short of treason
Mr.. Arthur's title to the presidency is the
same as Mr.. Garfield's was. With greater
reason might the latter have been enjoined
to keep in office Mr.. Hayes cabinet as an
earnest that the known and approved policy
of his administration would be continued
than that Mr.. Arthur now retain Mr.. Garfeld's
cabinet as pledge that the latter's unknown
and undeveloped policy will be followed
Every man works best in his own harness
General Grant on assuming command Of
the army of the Potomac chose his OWL
subordinate commanders to execute his
plans. General Arthur has the same righ
and duty to choose his own confiden
tial advisers, and in his own way t.
carry out the policy which was Genera
Garfields policy and must be his,-the pol
icy of the party which elected him, an,
which is set forth in its platform and tn,
letters of acceptance. Thus far and nj
farther can General Arthur carry out hi
predecessors policy, and he must do it il
his own way. To try to do what Genera
Garfield may have done in unknown anC
unforeseen contingencies would be hope
lessly to shipwreck his administration. If h
shall continue in office members of the lat
presidents cabinet whose special fitness 70
their departments is known and approved
such course will crafty the people. If h
should, in good faith choose others EN-
nently qualified to discharge their dutie
there will still be no room for criticism
The president is human and will doubles
give the same conclusive evidence of tn
fact that his predecessors have done. Whe
he errs or shows an erring disposition thel
will be ample time to judge him. Till the
he is fully and fairly entitled to our conf
dence, and there are not wanting inspirin
tokens that this confidence will not be mi
placed.
BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE. - The venerab
John G. Whittier was too feeble to unite
the memorial services for President CARTEL,
but sent his tribute in letter, in which
said 81 share the great sorrow which owe
shadows the land | fully appreciate the
retrievable loss. But it seems to me tn
the occasion is one for thankfulness as W,
as grief. Through all the stages of Il
solemn tragedy which has just closed wi
the death of our noblest and best, have +,
that the divine Providence was overrulil