The Evening critic., 1881-08-26

THE CHICAGO Inter Ocean, rabid Grant
and Conkling organ, saw that the New
York Herald, an equally rabid nobody's
organ, seemed to think that in case of the
Presidents death the country would expect
Mr. Arthur to carry out the wishes and
policy of his lamentcd predecessor Despite
the soemnity Of the times, which all feel
as personal affliction, we think it proper
to say something on this subject
Here is thc language of the Inter-Ocedn
Really, 1t puzzles us which most to ad-
| mire, the unconstitutionnlity, the iinprac
ticability, or the decided freshness Of these
thur as much to succeed Mr.. GARFIELD in the
Senate nat - should @ e President t;arGeid survive
| his term. The Constitution suggests no
word of this new-fangled notion of the
vice-President coming in as tho admins
traitor OF his predecessors policies. IT
simply devolves upon him the duties of
President upon the Presidents death. pre-
cisely as 1t dcvolves them on the President
at the expiration of his predecessors term.
| A Nicc-President who succeeds President
| fills the Office by virtue of the Constitution
and the vote of the people, though his pre-
dccessor may have been removed by the
hand ofProyidcnce OF the bullet ofan nssas-
sin. The fact ard manner OF President
Garfield's death can be to none more pain
| full than to the gentleman who succeeds
|
the ground of weakening his successors
| title, or, which Is the same thing, abating
| from his constitutional responsibilities.
All this is true. Wchave no word of COM
plant for Mr. Arthur. In all conscience,
we could have none, because he is still an
untricd experiment. The Inter- Ocean is per-
fectly right in assuming that when the
death of our President brings Mr.. Arthur to
the front as the presiding genius of the
United States he will be permitted, under
the orderly terms Of the Constitution, to
map out policy for himself The Inter-
Ocean is also right in saying that nothing
binds him to carry on the wishes and policy
of his predecessor. We agree to that propo-
sition.
Should Mr.. Arthur gain control at the
White House, and this now seems near
probability, he will have nothing to con-
slider but his own honest Interpretation ofthe
law of the land and the best interests of his
stricken countrymcn No one doubts that
he will interpret both in a broad, catholic
and honorable spirit. He will fully realize
the dclicacy of his position; he will hold
aloof from the knce-bendcrs and time
servers who gather like vultures around
q new administration. He will look at the
spirit of the times, rising from the fens of a
nations sorrsw, and shapeing itself, like
some genius of n fairy tale, into a "combi-
nation and form indeed which no man
can mistake.
, Why talk of policy? What policy
i Whose policy? What is the policy which
I, one section of this country should encourage
and another section condemn? What
do these sapient fools mean by a
r policy? 1t is easy enough to understand
G what the hter-Occan intended to convey
= with modesty that was concealed out O
IS compliment to the sentiments of the people
0, 1t meant that if Mr.. Arthur should succeed
s. to the Presidency, full latitude should b.
1t allowed him to undo everything which Gen
a Garfield had DONE This is, perhaps th
Grant side of the question, and the Inter
- Ocean is at liberty to array itself on an.
, side of any proposition which the public i
,c called upon to confront.
=. One thing, however, can be depended on
the Inter- Ocean to the contrary notwith
:. standing In fact, we might mention sew
\ eral things. Here is the list, and, whatevc
- be Mr.. Arthur's policy" he can do no dam
- age, even in the worst events beyond tn
70 limits Of his party.
=, 1. The country and the State of New
: York have decided that boss-rule is over, S
far as the Empire State is concerned.
lg Mr.. Arthur should attempt to revive it, h
ID will toll one bell for the death of the Re
ie publican party.
IL. 2. The country has at least decided tina
I'd the war which commenced twenty yeai
ID ago is over; that the conquered States hav
re accepted the result of the contest in goo
o. faith, and, returning to the fold, make CON
of mon cause for common progress that til
le entire nation calls aloud for peace, harmony
K. friendship, and love, IfMr. Arthur clashe
III with this, he will toll another bell for tn
10 death of the Republican party.
Beyond these two questions there isal
NJ solutely nothing to cause difference bt
v y tween the parties They mingle as in
ly perceptibly as the salt water Of the ocea
10 blends with the fresh The American pei
bc pie will ask or expect nothing of Mr.. Al
thur but the execution, not of his pr,
,s decessor's wishes, or of anybody else
80 wishes, but of the clear honest, wholesom
a. demands of a progressive and united pc,
h. pie. i 4ll
az A RrOOdetI Nausiciau