The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-03-31
( Striking Illustration Of an Apparent
Fact.


has long been apparent to thoughtful
observers OF National affairs: that the
first Office in the Government is grad
ually losing the peculiar prestige and
power which once attached to it. and
that no very large amount of brains is
required TO discharge reasonably well
the duties pertaining thereto Even
among his warmest friends he has never
been considered man of first-rate abb
ity, and in general opinion he does not
stand above what may be called good
second rate. There is not a State in
the onion that could not produce at
short notice an ADLER msn; perhaps sew
eral ADLER men. He is a smart and sue
cessful politician, though much of his
sue ess is attributable to luck rather than
to skill: and he has that easy. courteous
and dionified manner which covers q
multitude of deficiencies and wins the
esteem and praise of those who do not
inquire whether this thin veneering of
society hides large or little mind.
Yet, with such limited stock in trade,
he has SO far got along not badly, and
if not popular is certainly not very I'M
popular. He is making what is termed
"a resi- ectable President that is one
who does nothing on the whole. to pro-
woke either admiration or severe con-
domination and VIII m the country re-
CARDS with sort of good-natured in
di erence. 1t is dou otful whether Gar
field, superior as he was in many re-
spects. would have done m Oh
if any better; certainly he would
have had harder road to
travel, ard been more sharply iolted
than has his successor. But be this as
it may, there is no risk in asserting that
. man of Arthur's ca'iber could not
ha. filed the executive chair in the
early years of the Republic as satisfac-
torily as he has done. Though the
functions o. the Office remain un-
changed. other changes have occurred
which render it much less difficult than
formerly to perform these fun. tions.
From 1889 to 1887 we had seven Iresi-
dents Washington. Adams. Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams
and Jackson-all OF them exceptionally
able men. and three at least who would
have been great in any country or in
any age. Yet the abilities OF these sew
EN- Presidents were taxed to the utmost,
and none Of them glided along as
smoothly as does the amiable specimen
of medioc ity who now occupies the
White Eouse, If we can imagine Ar
thur where he is at any time between
118 and 1887. we may realize the diff
ference between Presidential qualifica-
tons then and now: difference created
by the changed situation, which de-
mands and expects less of President.
To day the Nation feels safe under a
Chief Magistrate whom fifty years arc
1t would have deemed utterly unfit for
the pla e. In other words, the Presi-
Dental standard has been materially
lowered. while the Presidency itself
continues, and will continue, to be the
highest object of political ambition.
At first glance this change would
seem to be unfortunate and dangerous,
but more careful view shows it quite the
reverse. 1t is because the peop'e have
steadily improved in the art of self
government that less is required OF their
President. Once they needed Wash
ingtons, Jesersons and Jacksons; now
an Arthur will serve their purpose.
They no longer look to the President
for instruction and guidance in political
affairs; they have instructed themselves
and are competent to guide themselves
fiity years ago Presidents message
was q document of great Importance.
read at every fires dein the land and
discussed by all classes of citizens.
Who, outside of Congress and news
paper Offices, reads and discusses
Presidents messaye now? How much
public interest is felt in the o,inions it
expresses or the re concentrations it
makes'-and how much influence does
It have upon anybody or anythingP
The people have come to look upon it |
as simply a matter of form; report of
no particular consequence from their
head servant about business, the essen
tial features of VIII. CHI they are as familiar
with as he is. In short, the Fresi-
dent now follows where once he |
led. He is only head servant of masters /
who unde stand their own bus ness thor |
oIghly and intend to manage it to suit
themselves; not the revered counselor
and leader of the olden time. With the
growth of popular intelligence and self
confidence in matters of governments
the ship o state steers more easily than
in former days and may be trusted to q
less experienced helmsman. A Wash
lngton at the wheel was once barely
sufficient to avert disaster; but now the
old ship sails on unvexed under a pilot
whom Washington would not have had
As private Secretary. The power and
prestige the Presidency has lost has
been ga ned by the PEOPLE and will new
er depart from them. No President
will ever again hold the high and con-
rolling pos ton which was held by the
irst seven Presidents, and it is not de-
'irable that he should. Presidential
government was necessary in its day,
nut its day has long since passed. and
he better government Of the people is
low firmly established and never likely
o be SUPP lanted while popular liberty
'ndures-St. Louis Republican,.
About Polk and Vincent.