Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-09-21
rHs NIw ApnIsIsrRATIoN.


under circumstances which will test his
capacities to the uttermost. The country
is prepared to be considerate towards HIN.
This feeling is one of the few beneficial
consequences of the long struggle under
which President Garfield has at last sue
cumbed Had President Garfield died
when he was shot there can be no question
that the position of his successor would
have been most painful and difficult one.
In that case there would have been very
little disposition among the friends of the
late Administration to make allowance
for the incoming one, while the latter
might have been tempted by the heat of |
the recent contest to adopt a hostile |
instead Of conciliatory policy. The dis
ruption of the Republican party, in fact,
was threatened by Guiteau's crime, and
even now it must depend largely upon the
Arthur whether the party is to be held
together. The nation has fortunately had
time to forget the ascerbities of the New
York conflict, while watching the DEATH
bed of the President. More sober and
even more generous sentiments have been
awakened during this protracted and
saddening vigil. The conduct of the late
Vice. President since the assassination
moreover has been SO modest and judicious
as to partially disarm criticism, and
now that the end has come, the people are
willing to accord the new President full
opportunity to vindicate himself, and to
prove his fitness for the Office to which he
has succeeded.
The situation in which he finds himself
is one which no man of any sensitiyeness
can envy him. The position of Vice.
President made President by an assas-
sination is in the very nature of the
case most embarrassing. Had he been on
the most friendly terms with President
Garfield this embarrassment would have
been unavoidable, but seeing that he was
almost at open war with the head of the
Government when the latter was shot
down, and seeing that the success of the
policy which he was then pursuing can
only be achieved by the reversal of all the
most cherished purposes of the dead Pres.
ident, it is evident that not only will the
people be called on for large measure of
indulgence, but that unless he himself de-
fers to the prevailing sentiment in an un-
mistakable way, he can scarcely avoid
shipwreck. Hitherto it must be ad.
mitted that the difficulties surrounding
him have been for the most part of his own
creation, and what is most discouraging is
that they have, with scarcely an exception,
resulted from tendency to allow his
course to be shaped for him, instead of de.
Gliding it for himself.
A weak man with good intentions often
proves far more dangerous, when in power,
than a strong maL who looks only to his
own interest. In the case of President
| Arthur the country has had reason to ap.
prehend rather imfrmity of purpose than
deliberate wrongdoing, and it requires to
be said frankly that it will take some clear
and positive evidence of change of dis
position TO dissipate fears which have been
based, not upon mere prejudice, but on the
facts of history. It has been suggested
| since the death of President Garfield thai
his successor would probably endeavor to
carry out the policy which the deceased
executive was known to favor. We do not
think that such prospect can be antici-
pated. The new President represents an
entirely different line of political action.
His counselors have been drawn from the
opposing ranks. His friendships, his in.
timacies, his convictions, are all to be
found there. In order to do what il is
suggested that he viii do, it would be
necessary for him to alter his whole view of
political life, and it is not reasonable TO ex-
pect such radical change from any man.
All that can in reason be expected is
that he will be conservative and cautious.
He has every incentive to such course,
and If he is the man his friends represent
him to be, such a course is that which will
undoubtedly suggest itself to him. He is
doubtless fully conscious that it would be
impracticable for him to make any sudden
changes in the policy of the Administra-
tion. Left to himself he would probably
be reluctant to accept the designations of
the present members OF the Cabinet,
though those members must in Justice to
themselves lose no time in rendering their
designations. Mr.. Blaine will beyond
question have to retire, nor could President
Arthur ask him to remain. With the other
Cabinet officers it is different. They will
not embarrass the President by insisting
upon retiring on the instant. The Govern.
ment will probably remain as it is for some
time at least. The Senate may, and indeed
should, be called together without delay to
choose presiding officer, but with this
exception there Is no positive demand for
any active measures until Congress meets
It may be expected that the new President
will abstain from doing anything calculated
to give offense to the friends of President
Garfield. We do not think that Mr.
Conkling viii be seen in any prominent
position for the time being. President
Arthur is of course fully aware that he is
on his probation, and he will seek to miti-
gate the embarrassments of his position by
making as many friends as possible. In
whatever efforts ne makes to do his duty
manfully and honestly he will have the
support and approval even of those who
least countenanced his course as Yice-Pres.
ident. But it depends upon himself
whether he shall make a successful admin
istration, or whether his term shall add one |
more to the gloomy list of failures which |
records the experience of previous non-
elected Presidents.
THE TREATMENT OF THE LArE PRES |
IDEET.