Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-09-28
President Arthur.

ANofeCaN
President Arthur last Wednesday went
to Washington from Long Branch on the
funeral train which conveyed the body oil
the late president to the capital. On
Thursday in the vice presidents room al
the capitol be took the oath as president
Chief Justice Waite administering it. This
oath he had already taken before Judge
Brady in New York but il was thought
best to avoid all question to take it before
the chief justice.
President Arthur appointed Monday,
the 26,h Of September. as day of national
humiliation and mourning and the day
was so observed throughout the United
States. He has also issued proclamation
calling an extra session of the Senate to
begin Monday, October 10th.
The need of an extra Session lies espe
eially in this, that by law in case Of the
death of both president and vice president
The presidential duties till new election
devolve upon the president of the Senate,
and in case there is no president of the
Senate on the speaker of the House. 1t
becomes therefor of great Importance that
at least one of these bodies should organ
ize.
President Arthur will not at once occupy
The White House but will make the house
of Senator Jones his home for the present.
Speculation as 10 his cabinet is common
out nothing certain of course is as yet
known as to what will be done. On TAX
ing the oath of Office Thursday, the new
president said:
q For the fourth time in the history of
I he republic its chief magistrate has been
removed by death. All hearts are filled
with grief and horror at the hideous crime
which has darkened our land, and the
memory of the murdered president. his
protracted sufJrings, his unyielding forti-
tude, the example and achievements of his
life and the pathos of his death, will for
ever illumine the pages of our history.
For the fourth time the officer elected by
the cor stltuton 10 fill a vacancy so created
is called to assume the executive chair
The wisdom of our fathers, foreseeing
even the most dire possibilities. made sure
that that government should never be i'm
periled because of the uncertainty of hu.
man life. Men may die, but the fabrics of
our free institutions remain mistaken
No higher or more assuring proof could
exist of the strength and pelmaneDce OF
,anplar th.,p h,,,
though the chosen of the people be struck
down, his constitutional successor j.
peacefully installed without shock or
strain. except the sorrow which mourns
the bereavement. All the noble aspirations
of my lamented predecessor, which found
Expression in his life. the measures devised
and suggested during his brief administra,
ion to correct abuses and enforce ecOno
my, to advance prosperity and promote
The general welfare, to insure domestic
security and maintain friendly and honor
able relations with all the nations of the
earth, will be garnered in the heart Of he
people, and 1t will be my earnest endeavor
20 profit and to see that the nation shall
profit by his example and experience
Prosperity blesses our country. Our fiscal
putty 10 uAeu ny law, is wen SIOuHueu
md is generally approved. No threaten
ing issue mars our foreign intercourse,
and the wisdom, integrity and thrift of our
people may be trusted to continue undis
lurbed. The present assured career of
peace, tranquility and welfare, the gloom
and anxiety which have enshrouded the
country, must make repuse especially
welcome now. No demand for speedy
.egislation has been heard; no adequate
occasion is apparent for an unusual session
of congress. The constitution defines the
functions and powers of the executive rs
clearly as those Of the other Two depart
ment> of the government, and he must
answer for the just exercise Of the dscre-
ton it permits and the performance of
the duties ii imposes. Summoned to these
high duties and possibilities, and pro
iuundly conscious of their magnitude ana
granny, assume the trust imposed by
lie coDstisutlon, relying for ali on divine
guidance and the virtue, patriotism ami
IN diligence OF the American people,"