The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-29
President Arthur.

We publish on the first page Of the VIRGIN
IAN the inaugural address of President Ar
thur on taking the oath of office before Chic
Justice Waite, at Washington city, after he had
subscribed to similar oath at his residence in
New York. before Judge Brady, of the State
Court. Nothing could be more appropriate
than the fitting terms in which the President
indicates the policy OF his administration. We
have no idea that the literal Interpretation o.
what he said, as expressed by many of the
Republican journals of the country, is what
he meant That the paramount objects fore
Swallowed In President Garflelds brief adj
ministration, will be those President Arthur
will seek to encompass we have no doubt
But that he will retain all the late Cabinet of
ficers and heads of bureaus, we do not think
would. The Republican party has in its
ranks many men OF very high administrative
ability and emlnently qualified for the dis
charge of the duties of any of the positions
now filled by appointment from the late
President 1t is natural to assume that he will
select from his more intimate personal and
party associates some of his constitutional
advisers and others to give shape and effect to
his policy. That he will make radical
change in the personnel of his Cabinet we dc
not believe. President Arthur will consult
public sentiment as well as public policy in his
selections, and in deing so we have no doubt
will retain the Secretary of State and Secre-
tary of the Treasury, especially, and the Post
Master General. Mr.. Blaine is to-day proba-
bly, the most popular man in the United
States, and the recognized leader of a large
portion, if not majority of til Republicans
of the country. The successful management
of the Treasury Department by Mr.. Window
and the foresight and ability shown in the del
icate and intricate control of the refundmg
operations point to him as peculiarly suited to
the position he now holds.
But President Arthur will, no doubt, meet
all the demands upon him with that calm
cautious and comprehensive understanding oil
the public wants, which his large experience
and recognized abilities assure us will control
him. He is no longer circumscribed in his inn
mediate political methods to the range of a
single State, where he has enacted SO conspic-
uous part in the past. He is President OF
the United States and the varied and diversi-
fed interests and sentiments of the whole
policy adopted to mete out full and ample
justice to all. He is not simply a citizen OF
New York, looking to the success of his
party in a single State, as part of the Union,
and having its influence in proportion to its
relative position in the ssterhood of States
His mind, doubtless since the I'd of July last,
has dwelt upon the magnitude of the respon-
sibilities which attach to the place of Chief
Magistrate of nation of fifty millions peo-
pie, and essaYed to grasp the varied and con-
tllcting interests and wants of the whole
country. His thoughts have broadened as the
responsibilities have been contemplated in the
sad days. which preceded his Inauguration as
President. And now that he fully realizes
the magnitude of the duties which confront
him, his utterances and actions will be COM
mensurate with the demands upon him. All
fair men, whether in political sympathy with
him or not, accord him ability, sagacity and
great purity of character and with the lesson
which has been inculcated by the sad events
and suferings of the past three months to in
spire him with an understanding of the sen
timents and wishes of the people, we look for
ward to a wise catholic and successful admin
istration, comprehending the wants of the
entire country and that higher national life to
which the people seem to have been lifted.
We expect changes in the personnel of the
new administration, and if such shall be the
termined on, they will be accepted as the re-
suit of the most careful study and the broad
est ambition to subserve the public needs
That any mere spirit of faction or driveling
sentimentality will enter into the deliberations
and conclusions of the President, it would be
an a1ront to the intelligence of the Nation to
presu1ne for moment. His theatre of action
the whole Nation and his aspira-
tions and ahaas will correspond with the re-
quirements of the mission that is before him.
That he will be equal to the demands upon
him, and meet the expectations of the coun-
try, we do not doubt. Certainly no President
eyer had set before him grander field of en-
deayor, or entered upon the duties of his of
fee under circumstances more impressive. A
nation yearns for peace and recon-
<kation, and it is the earnest pfaVer OF all
ese may crown the administration of him
kS passed TO the office of President |
he blood of the ideal character OF
hurry for the District of Columbia |
londay next, when it IL expect |
will be indicted, and his trial
net once.
rs. Garfield and her children