American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-10-15

A year age last june General Chester
| A. Arthur was nominated, as an act of
Cancellation to the supporters of Gen
eral Grant, for an Office which he had
| hot sought, desired or expected. Re-
promoting EatHtoHy in his party, he ac-
cepted the post assigned nj:
As the candidate for President was in
the prime of vigorous manhood, With
strongest promise of many active years,
the sad contingency which has now
arisen was contemplated only as posi-
bility too remote to influences the selec-
| ton If his associate on the ticket.
Neither General Arthur nor those who
voted for him supposed for q moment
that if his party carried the election he
would be called to any respOn sibiltv
more serious than the light and grace
full part which ohf fundamental law
assigns to the President.
But when the news of the attack Upon
the President Mortified the country and
shocked the civilized world, General
Arthur and the people Of the United
States were suddenly and sharply
brought to realization of the fact that
only faint and tremulous spark in the
White House stood between the Vice
President and the Presidential office.
At that time the dominant party,
| split into two belligcrent factions, was
IL The midst of protracted and acfi-
monious struggls, centerihg at Albany,
but exerting its unharpy influence in
every part of the United States As
| General Arthur was allied with the fac
ton opposed to the Administration, the
prospect of the radical change that then
seemed imminent intensified the excite
ment that, under any circum staf1ces,
| would have been sufficiently deep, and
added bitterness to feeling that
| needed no increased acerbity.
bore himself with quiet, manly dignity
that won the respect of the country He
seemed to dread the weight of care and
responsibility which appeared so likely
to be imperatively forced upon him, but
was evidently prepared to do his duty
with fidelity If summoned to the head
of the Government.
Happily for us our fathers wrought
so well that change in the Presidency,
however sudden, however tragic, how
| eter sad, cannot affect the stability of
the Government or throw any portion
of its well-ofdered mechanism into con-
fusion. Such contingency as the
mournful event which has now occurred
was amply provided for in the Cotisti-
tutiOfi A death like this touches the
deepest emotion. of ottr hearts, but it
cannot disturb our domestic tranquility
nor complicate our relations with other
powers.
The political significance of this
changes Resides alone in the fact that it
brings into power the faction opposed
to the Administration of the late Presi-
dent. There has been time enotgh
since the I'd of July for passion
to cool, and for the better nature of the
partisan to assert its sway. While ths
Nation has been standing around the
death bed of the President, it is hoped
that hatred, malice and all uncharita-
bleness have been permitted to die out
of the hearts of those statesmen who are
recognized as leaders of the respective
Republican factions.
Will the war of the factions be re-
vived? or will their leaders arrange
terms of final and permanent pacitica<
ton? These are the questions that are
anxiously asked, and for which there is.
as Yet, no answer. If we could desire
the success of the Democratic party at
any cost, if we deemed Democratic
triumph of more importance than that
prosperity which depends on political
peace, if we were more partisan and
less patriotic in Our feelings. we should
hope for the speedy renewal and Wig
orous prosecution of the factional war.
But the country has had enough-too
much. by far-of the unhealthy excite
ment which this feud begets. General
Arthur has an opportunity to so serve
his country as to win enduring fame
and the respect of all good men. He
can do this by SO administering his
great office as shall tend to the pro-
motion of peace. 1t is possible for
him to bring the discordant elements
of his party into harmony, and thus to
from turmoil which otir business, social
and moral interests demand.
Coming into power under circum-
stances so peculiar. under circum-
stances that appeal SO strongly to all
the finer feelings and better impulses, it
is not likely that Mr.. Arthur will signal
ize his advent by sudden and startling
innovations. While it may fairly be
assumed that his principal subordinates
will eventually be of his own wing of
the Republican party, he is unlikely to
act hastily or to make removals for the
mere purpose of showing that things
are changed.
The great conservative element of the
body polite, the Democratic half of the
people, sustained President Garfield,
because patriotic duty demanded such
support. President Arthur has it in his
power to command the respect and
secure the confidence of the Democ-
racy by adopting a broadly National
policy. If he shall be the President.
not of faction, not of party. but of
all the people. aiming to do justice and
to promote the best good of his country,
he will not find the Democracy placing
any obstacles in his pathway or refus-
ing him that approval and commenda-
ton which he will merit at their hands.
WaShinQtOn Post.