New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-09
PRESIDENT OR POLI7IClANf

To some persons 1T seems quite uhreason"pio
TO expect from Chester A. Arthur, the Presi-
dent, different conduct from that of Mr.. Arthur,
the politician. And yet the country gives 10
him. and he and his friends expect that the
country will give TO him, very diiferent meas
ure of consideration and respect. 1t is heIu
lust that he should be credited with elevated
honorable and patriotic motives, because OF the
high sense of responsibility which his STATION
should bring. Lifted to position OF greater
honor and greater power than any other person
on earth, he ought to be raised above all inc
motives, influences and associations incident 10
a period of activity as party manager. Inc
country assumes that man who was In any
respect fitted for high station will be thus
raised above his former self whatever he may
have been as private citizen, it assumes that
he will be something higher and better under
the sense of vast responsibility. This is the
logical foundation of the respect which the
country pays to its Chief Magistrates Men
who opposed the election Of President feel
that it is duty to give him respect, considera-
ton and q fair opportunity to show that.he Is
worthy of the great trust which the people
have given him.
If this is the duty of honorable and patriotic
citizens, it is the correlative duty OF the Pres-
dent to be worthy of his great responsibility.
Whether individuals forget their duty or not,
he cannot afford to forget station which lifts
him above them in honor and therefore should
lift him above them in motives and acts. TO
him it is disgrace to fall back to the level OF
the mere politician. The people expect better
things, and they have right to expect better
things, from the General who has been in
trusted with the fate of an army than from the
private soldier who has yet to win honor and
trust.
President Arthur has done some things that
show clear sense of his high responsibility.
The country has seen these things with great
satisfaction. In other actions it has been dis
appointed in him, and has felt that he fell short
of the requirements of his high station but it
has been gratifying to see that he seems, with
experience and the lapse Of time, to grow more
and more able to appreciate tho exalted trust
TO which he has been called, and to Else above
the motives and methods which mere politicians
continually press upon him. Hence his course
is observed with increasing interest and hope
fulness by those citizens who care little for
individuals or factions, but very mucL for the
honor aud prosperity of the country. They
deem it their duty to extend confidence to him
Just as fast and rs far rs he may show that ne
is worthy of it. Many of them criticised his
conduct strongly in the political contests of the
past who would yet be rejoiced to find in the
President greater worth and higher concep-
ton of public duties and interests than his
course as politician had led them to expect
Ii does not seem to any reasonable and patriotic
citizen that President Arthur ought TO be ire
yocably condemned because, when first thrown
into position Of unexpected responsibility, he
was not able for time to meet its extraordi-
nary difficulties in every respect.
Half of the Presidents term of Office has now
expired, however. Public opinion will pres
emily cease TO expect much change in him.
Within a short time it will he felt that the gen.
eral record of his administration is not likely
to be materially different from its record in the
past. IL the President considers the elections
of last fall, he realizes that his course up to
that time had not been in all respects success
full. He has power to make very great adj
vances In public estimation, and there are some
indications that he wishes to do so and sees the
way. Undoubtedly his position in the public
estimation has been improved already, since the
events of last year, but lie can do very much
more in that direction If he will. The country
wishes to see in him, not the instrument of any
spoils hunting Senator or other politician, but
n faithful Chief Magistrate, who executes the
laws with justice and impartiality. 1t wishes
to see, not the leader OF faction, but Repub-
lican President. 1t treats HIM with consderate
patience, because it feels that it has right to
expect that he will rise to the level of the high
station that he occupies. But events must take
place and decisions be made before long which,
in spite OF any later efforts will go far to fix the
character of the Administration to the end. 1t
is therefore the earnest desire of all good citi-
Gems, and especially of all sincere Republicans,
that the President may prove fully equal to his
responsibility.