National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-26
preaitient Arthur.

sincere expressions Of tho thoughts and
hearts of tho people that have boen uttered
in recent years, because they are given not
only by the men who arc his personal friends
and special admirers, but by those who have
other preferences and whose political interests
would be more easily promoted by the sclec.
ton Of some other candidate for the sue
cession.
| Tho general purport of the resolutions
passed is that his administration has been
dignifed clean, adapted to tho times, in
entire harmony with public sentiment so far
as the people have made known their wish,
and cminently concliatory, judicious, and
conservative.
When the qualities of an administration
are thus defined and SGT forth with unani-
nous approval we have not only an indorse-
ment Of Chester A. Arthur and an historical
record which forever establishes his place
high among the rulers who have met their
responsibilities with skill and more than met
what was expected and demanded of them
but we have description Of the kind of man
the people are seeking to perform the duties
of president for another term. Tho unan-
nous Endorsement is made so heartily and
earnestly that it admits OF no other intorpre-
tation, and we have yet to meet the man in
the party who would not DO pleased with n
guarantee that the next and tho next succeed.
ing four years of government will provo
equally satisfactory. In this instance the
wish of the people is distinctly and emphati.
cally defined.
The condition Of parties does not admit of
taking large risks. The candidate must DO
we'll approved. He must have behind him o
record not liable to serious attack, or char
acter for patriotism, ability, and unsefsh.
ness that cannot DO questioned. The element
of popularity is not determined by the en-
thusi astic admiration and zeal of large Sec
ton of party. Henry Clay had that kind
of popularity, Webster had it, and so had
Douglas but neither could be elected president.
not even get nomination, because when the
final conference came there came the intelli-
gent judgment that Abraham Lincoln would
more certainly receive the number of votes
to insure victory, and at tho same time pos
sessed all the qualifications necessary to dis
charge tho duties of the Office in any emerg-
ency.
Lincoln had no special record as q public
man and stood entirely on his character.
Tho people anticipated from his character
that he would meet the wants Of the time as
they understood the wants of tho time.
President Arthur has behind him three
years record in the office. 1t is n record OF
the exact nature which the people would
have repeated and furnishes the guarantee
best one that is possible to have. The ten
dency of public opinion for some years has
been in the direction of civil service reform
This reform rests upon the proposition that
merit shall have precedence in appointments
and that meritorious public servants shall be
rewarded by due recognition of services
rendered. One reelection is the least that car
be called due recognition. In the case of Pres
dent Arthur it is re-eminently due, because
the merit of services is felt and to supersedt
him is to deny to the first officer of the nation
} what is claimed is necessary to be granted
, the humblest subordinate in order to main
, tain the ideal civil service called for by tn,
friends of the reform measures.
5 In a republic the personal ambitions o
I prominent men create factions that are un
avoidable. They exist now, and are to
met. 1t is happy circumstance that at tn
very time when great measure of reform
has attained its first foothold there should b
= TO test their sincerity and the soundness
i their theory, and that it should come in tn
person of him upon whom depended its in
r tiation and success. The friends Of tn
r reform cannot afford to ignore their pr ofes
sions and make victim of tho officer VIII
has not only given them n fair field, but VIII
o has cheerfully appointed friends Of tho meas
r ure to execute it, and has strengthened thei
n hands by setting numerous examples nc
g called for by provisions of tho act unde
o which they are governed. To overthrow
II such an officer is to deny the highest appli
G cation of the principle of the reform and
o bring the reform into disgrace.
Q These considerations will have no weigh
with charlatans and humbugs, but SINGER
men will give them due weight, and hesitat
d long before they consent to strike a judiciou
h friend at the call Of men whose inordinat
l. ambition stands at nothing to advance it.
y The great merit of President Arthurs az
n ministration is, it has been safe. No legit
C mate interest has been in peril; no propC
o cause has felt itself in danger. The countr
l. has not been shocked by experimental quRcl
}, cry, or rent by arbitrary exercise of power, {
$ disturbed by sensational displays of amater
> diplomacy and pyrotechnic Statesmanshi
The country has gone on the oven tenor
y its way in full confidence that tho PreSidoI
l. was doing his duty we'll, and will continue
1t do it, This gives him claim on the countr
1t that will be thoughtfully met and prompt
& responded to in tho final decision.
v
NU.s,. ~ gtrlIrea