The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-16
President Arthur.

S6aAiSht EAEb1lul
Tht Democratic success and Republican
defeat in the Northern and Western States
have been availrd Of by the malignant par
tiZans. OF both political parties. to deal out
vast amount Of abuse upon President
Arthur. and charge him with the RESPONSE
bility for them. This might have been eX-
pected from the Democratic press of the
North and the BOurb II writer's OF the
South, for no opportunity is omitted for
mercenary and nnprincipled politicians to
seek to bring reproach upon Republican
President. aud through him. the Republi-
can party. But there is no excuse to be Of
feTed, when the same unjust criticisms are
found in Republican papers and sim liar
spirit of injustice and malignity manifested
by Republican writer's.
The causes for the results of the fall elec
tons existed long before President Arthur
was installed in office. They manifested
themselves in 1874, in an equally disas-
trous fall campaign. They were mani
tested IN tine Convention of 1876 and
were shown in the Convention OF $780, and
their effect avoided by the nom mat ion of
Garfield. Had the leader of either faction
which came IN conflict in these conven-
| tions been nominated, it is not unreasona-
bic to assert, drawing conclusions from
what has since occurred, he would have
been defeated.
1t has so happened that during Pres ident
Arthur $ administration, the luminosity be-
tween certain leaders in the party. culmi-
| mated ia 1882. and VIII lie he had little or
nothing to do in aggravating the dissen-
sions, because of the unfavorable results to
| the Republicans. he is charged with the re-
sponsibility. There is no reason or justice
| in this. Had his recommendations. in his
several messages, been adopted by Con-
gress, one great source of dissatisfaction
would have been removed. He asked that
| the revenue laws be revised and the tax
\ from this source reduced. But Congress
disregarded the recommendation. He ve-
toed the River and Harbor Bill. because of
the eXtravagant and unconstitutional ap-
preparations it contained. But Congress
vetoed the veto. and passed the measure,
Notwithstanding his well-stated ard prop.
er objections. And it must not be forgot
ten that the economies suggested were
what the people wanted, and because Con-
gress refused to provide for them the ver-
dict of the 7th, was, in part, recorded. Yet
the complaint Is urged against the admin
| istratiOn that no provision was made for
the reduction of taxes, and no check in
tions from redundant treasury. The
Pres dent is not responsible for this. He
did all that was in his power TO secure
healthy and constitutional legislation. and
it is with Congress and not the President
that the fault lies land the rebubc of the It'll
was for Congress and not the President.
1t is not pretended that the President
has not made some mistakes. He would
have been more than human had he not
Committed some errors. But an impartial
scrutiny into the more prominent acts of
his brief administration will discover no
more than have been properly chargeable
to his predecessors. He entered upon the
discharge of his duties at a critical time not
only in the history of the country, but es.
pecially in that of the Republican party
The passions of factions were fiercely
aroused. The people were bowed down
with a great grief. their sensiblities
touched and their minds not in a frame to
impartialy weigh and iudicially Judge of
the changes that it was natural for him to
make. lt would have been impossible for
him to have gratited the expectations of
ali. because whatever he did was magnifed
into blunder by one faction or the other.
Guided by sense of duty, and aiming to
conserve the interests of the country.
as we'll as to solidify the party, as a
means to a successful administration, Re
was met at every turn by Gaping criticism
and unnatural censure from those who
ought to have exercised charity, and with
malignant partizan opposition from those
whose primary object was political advan-
tagc, whatever the cost to the country
Fairly judged, there is no just reason for
assigning to the Presid ent the responsible
ity for the political cyclone which passed
OYER the country on the 9Th. 1t would
have occurred had Garfield lived, Diple-
macy. united with the aversion Of the
people to in any way contribute to the pres
tige of the Democratic party, had held in
check the passions of factions. But all the
time feeling of disconte mt was growing
its volume Increasing, aud nothing that
the President could have done would have
stayed its outflow. Had the revulsion not
taken place on the Tth. when the govern
ment was secure from the grasp of the
hungry Democracy. 1884 would have wit
messed a revOlu ton far more portentous
and threatening. As it is. there is time to
recover FROM the shock, to profit by the les.
son inculcated, and to pluck from the net
tie danger Of 1882 the flower safety
in 1884. To this end the President W iii di
rect his administration, not in any part-
zan sense. but as patriot who believes
that the prosperity of the country is contin,
gent upon the continued ascendenoy of the
Republican Parry in the administration of
the affairs of the nation.
Ii the results of the 9Th. shall have the
effect to heal dissensions and bring togeth-
er the warning factions of the party, as we
believe they will. they wiz prove the chas-
tisements OF a friend, and assure not5 only
success in 1884, but perpetuate tie admin.
istrative policy which has been the source
of the marvellous prosperity which has bee II
vouchsafed the people aud now distributes
its blessings throughout the length and
breadth Of the land. e7tN
At the meeting of the Woman National
Industrial League, IN Washington city last
week, congratulations on the election of
Ger Butler G ivernor of Massacl. usetts We @
I'd.