National Republican., 1881-07-07
Chnstcr A. AriIhiIr.

zen OF the Empire State who was hon
ored by them last November by being
chosen TO the second Office in their gift.
The physicians science bids us hope that
the President may recover, while at the
same time we must wait in fear of the
contrary result. If Heaven shall smile
upon the sufferer at the White House
General Arthur will continue TO be the
dignihed and able presiding officer of the
Senate. If the Nation is to be bereft of
its President, the duties and responsible
ties left by him at the door of the tomb
would devolvc upon the Nicc-Presdent.
Fortunately for the tranquility of the
country in the happening Of so sorrowml
an event, they are not ignorant of the
character of the man TO whom would
then be intrusted the execution of the
laws. His high personal character, solid
abilities, sterling patriotism, and Courtly
bearing were made known and seen of all
men in the struggle which gave to him
for the Vice-Prcsidency the same electoral
votes which made james A. Garfield
President. General Arthur was, it will
be remembered nominated by the Re-
publican National Convention without
solicitation of friends or desire of his
own. His associates in the convention
had been defeated for the first place. and
his acceptance of the second place was
based on the representations of some of
General Garfeld's Ohio friends that this
would promote the welfare of the party
and its prospects of success.
No higher tribute could be paid him as a
man than the fact that from the nomina-
ton in June until the election in Novem-
Der his record and character were under
the review of earnest political opponents,
and that not only was no charge made
against him, but even busy and remorse-
less calumny did not dare attempt to
smirch him. His daily walk has ever
been pure, his associations of the best
and his reputation beyond reproach.
His relations to recent differences with
in the party touch the question of the
personal independence of the citizen.
Our free institutions are already destroyed
if any mans honest opinions and acts
concerning men or measures are to under
60 revision by others, or to be based upon
anything less noble than his own con-
victions. Liberty of opinion and freedom
of utterance and action are funda-
mental in this Republic. They
are to be equally enjoyed by
of the Republic will have been spoken.
In view of the grand commission which
every citizen holds under the Constitu-
ton, to be governed in his political action
by his own sense of right and duty, ara
in view of the fact that the viii Of the
people is to be ascertaine1 only by the
free action of each individual, we dismiss
as frivolous the pGevish clamor of few
unreasonable newspapers, whose editors
see1lto thlnk that any difference of opin-
ion with them is an oiiense TO be chas-
tised with their puny seedlings.
There has been unseemly talk in some
papers unfriendly TO General Arthur as
to what course he would pursue if the
hand of God should call him to preside
over the Nation. The imaginations of
men writing huriedly for the press have
been drawn upon to mark out changes
which would occur in political currents.
1t seems as though nothing could create
grave and serious situation in the minds
of some of these writer's.
General Arthur was on terms of most
friendly personal intercourse with all the
members of the present Cabinet long
before he or any of them were
called to the posts they now occupy.
Those personal relations have not been
changed. When the appalling news of the
assault on the President came to his ears in
New York, coupled with the dreadful
words of the assassin, he was almost dis
tracted. He knew that he must be ready if
summoned to the Capital. Some thought
y II his duty to come at once. From this
6e'shrank, for to him it seemed like an
ticipating horrible possibility. Not un-
til requested by Secretary Blaine, speak
ing for the Cabinet, did he leave his home.
Upon his arrival here, and each day since
he has conferred with all the members of
the Cabinet. Mr.. Blaine has been with
him every day, sometimes for two hours,
and in the morning portion of those
officials came, and in the afternoon the
others. They have exchanged views
only on the Presidents condition, and
their conferences have never included
any topics Of conversation bearing upon
what would occur in the event of his ac-
cession to the Presidency.
II is impossible 10 describe the anguish
which the Vice-President has suffered by
reason Of the assault upon the President
and the wild words of the assassin, Those
who know the noble tenderness of his
great nature and the refinement of his
character can only imagine the disturb
ance of his mind while contemplating
the possibility of assuming the executive
Office under such circumstances. If
fate DEGREES it, he will be found equal
to the duties and responsibilities of the
occasion. All that patriot should do he
would do to allay party and factional
bitterness, and small minds of whatever
faction who might hope benefits or fear
injuries would surely find in him man
of different mould from the lone their
imaginations have pictured. May he
never be called upon to verify these
opinions, which are, of course, based only
OH knowledge Of his character.
Let Them BE Stunned,