Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-27
1allrastcr fntelltqenrer.
SATURDAY EVENING, AUG. ~, 1881
Needing 10 be Washed.

1t IS reported. and widely commented
upon, that General Hancock, in the
cars to Portland," warmly declared Vice
President Arthur to be ian able, patri-
otic, high. minded gentleman, and in the
event of his being called to the chief
magistracy he would discharge the du-
ties with but one purpose-that of bene-
fitting the entire country, and that the
people might rely On his judgment with
entire confidence" We are glad to hear
it: because we haven't Il great deal of
doubt that the vice president will soon
be president that is, unless his alleged
foreign birth should make him ineligi-
BILE; and it will he quite comfort to
persuade ourselves that man about to
be president is " an able, patriotic and
high.minded gentleman" who will
have no purpose in discharging his presl-
Dental duty but to do the very best he
knows how to do for the benefit of the
entire country. 1t is particularly CRATE
full to be assured of this about a man OF
whom we feared we had good reason to
think very differently; one who, in fact,
is looked upon generally as what the
French call a ntaurais syJd, and we re-
cognize as q hard case" 1t is delight
full, Oh general principles, to he assured
that Il fellow creature whom we have
looked Oh as belonging to the devil is
really entitled to enumeration among the
number of the saints; and when that
fellow creature is vice president about
to be promoted TO be president, it is Just
delicious to be surprised with infor'
nation of his goodness.
And on good authority, too that Is,
il the story is true that is told of Cen
eral Hancock s car-ride warmth on Il hot
August day on his way to cool his
fevered blood in the waves and breezes
of New England's shore. General Han
cock is abundantly able to recognize a
higl-minded gentleman when he has
chance to know him and to detect his
patriotism and ability. We are not
aware that the general las had any very
abundant means of knowledge of the
vice president, and therefore fear that
the warmth of his expression in his be-
half may have been less than reported.
Mr.. Arthur has had circle of acqualnt-
ances in New York quite outside of that
of General Hancock, and there has been
no public intimacy between the two. Mr..
Arthur's intimates have been Johnny
Davenport and that class of depraved
New York politicians. 1t is the genera!
knowledge Of his associations that has
given Mr.. Arthur his bad repute. He
would not have had it il he had moved
along in General Hancock's company.
His business would not let him do 80. His
business was politics. He made it pay.
People who make politics pay are not the
kind to whom prudent men would care
to give very strong certificate of patriot
ism,or even hgh-minded gcntlemanlines,
unless they knew them very well
indeed and knew that they were the
victims of circumstances rather than of
their own inclinations. And as we con.
slider General Hancock to bea fairly pru-
dent man and know he had no great in
timacy with Mr.. Arthur, we have our
misgiving that he did not say all that he
is said to have said and that we can
not have his authority for believing that
when Mr.. Arthur was for years bribinS
the electors of New York, and when
finally he took big hand in corrupting
those of the United States, to the end
that he instead of General Hancock
should be president, Mr.. Arthur was all
this time a higll-minded, patriotic gen
tleman, solely intent on benetiting the
people. To lie sure General Hancock is
not reported to have said much about
Mr.. Arthur's unselfish patriotism in the
past, but only to have promised it for the
future. Still he has to base his opinion
of HE future patriotism on his knowledge
of his past and it is little improbable
that he considers that Mr.. Arthur did a
patriotic service for the benefit of the
country in corruptly keeping him from
securing the vote Of New York and In
diana. If he really has endorsed Mr..
Arthur rs high minded gentleman, of
course he acquitS him of any such bust
ness. But then can he know him For
the evidence is fe;lrfully strong which
writes Mr.. Arthur down rs a corrupt
manipulation of elections and one by
occupation.
We really fear very much indeed that
We can't take any consolation from Gen.
Hancock in the matter of Arthur. We
know him too well ourselves. But is it
not just little remarkable that the char
acter of the vice president should need to
be washed by anybody to make him
presentable to the public eye and nose
for the presidency? And are such the
manner of men whom we elect presi-
dent? Do the Republicans confess it ::
Must Arthur be cleansed 10y Hancock he
fore he can enter the White House accept
ably? A very proper man to certify to
his cleanness. indeed, is Gen. Hancock,
who is so clean himself. But what Il
humiliation that a vice president should
need it! and that Republicans should
think SO: and welcome his vindication at
the hands of a man they have foully as
persedl
Mr. Arthur and the Presidency.
The succession of Mr.. Arthur to the
presidency is not likely to create any