The daily gazette., 1881-09-23

PREsIDRNT ARTHuR's conduct 30
far since the assassination, has been
such as would mark that Of gentle
mar who was pursuing the most for
NAL course toward another. His nc.
tcniions to the stricken President were
almoat as diffident as that of Mr..
Conkling, and lacked less of senti-
msnt than the conduct of foreign
Ministers. This course may not have
been pursued with any motive or feel
ing of rssentment-it may have been
forced upon Mr.. Arthur, or be may be
cold formal man, devoid of the
warm feelings which make most men
impulsive, when friend is in danger,
in expression Of their pain and anx-
iety. Why was it necessary for Mr..
Arthur to wait to be informed of the
death ofthe President before approach
ing near the dying statesman Was
he so coslly received by the Cabinet
when he visited Washington, or was It
his purpose to keep entirely aloofs
These reflections perhaps would not
have taken this shape had not the
Republican press abroad announced
that the President had originated a
policy and that he would retain the
Cabinet Of the late President and fol-
low the sourse they were pursuing.
1t is astonishing that men Of learn
ing and experience cou,d fall into such
gross mistakes. 1t is true that the
President has acted with discretion
since the death Of his predecessor.
But in what he has done he has only
showed that he is bending to the i'm
rlcable demands OF the country. This
may not be SO. But it seems so
at least and it is entirely too
soon to fly to the conclusion that
President Arthur is going to aban.
don his Stalwart friends and
adopt the ideas of the Half-breeds.
What he has done has been done with
becoming grace and With the studied
attitude of an accomplished actor in a
great imaginary drama. This, too,
may be all in keeping with his charac.
ter, but the country has not been led
TO believe that Mr.. Arthur was tn,
cold, careful, calculating man hi
present conduct would make him ap
pear. 1t is entirely too soon for oul
Republican friends to announce 8
policy for the new President. 1t would
indeed be strange il he did not go to
Washington and take the oath o
office IN the customary way, and being
there follow the corpse Of the mani,
soldier, great scholar, eloquent orato
and able statesman, and wise and ju
dicious Chief Magistrate towards it
resting place. All this is proper i
Mr.. Arthur, and he only yields to th
implied command Of the people of hi
country. After this duty is fully dii
charged, in Difference to the nation !
mourning. it will be time enough fc
the President to begin to look to b
surroundings. The Cabinet too ow
duty to their )ate great Chief. The
would not think for moment of oi
fering to surrender their portfolio,
or abandon their posts until the
had performed the last sad rites to tt
sacred ashes reposed in their case /
the laws of the country. When q
this is attended TO it will be tin
enough for them to ask to be relieve
of the several Departments of Il
government which they have be.
charged with conducting by the Sci
ate Of the United States at the su
i gestion Of their late chief, and fro
which they cannot be removed final
until the assent of that body is ha
30 that it is entirely too soon to ia
Of policy of President Arthur yet.
We have no doubt that at the prop
~ time the members Of the Cabinet W
tender their designations. But til,
they may not do it now, al
c,mmit no breach of political decorur
were everything agreeable and no ne
policy apprehended they would be Il
more likely to do 1t at the earle
moment But It will not be improp
for them to wait until the meeting
Congress before they tender tn,
designations. In the meantime a
request Of President Arthur to tn,
to remsin In the discharge of th
several iuportant duties would OF
b. an asx0f politensss make su
: requssA before the compile ion Of !