The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-12
PRESIDENT ARTHUR.
Somewhat Tardy Southern Appreciation of
President Arthurs Merits.

Somewhat Tardy Southern Appreciation of
President Arthur's Merits.
Washington Correspon dence Atlanta Constitution.
Taking everything into consideration, remem-
bering the prejudice against the man which was
by no means confined to section. the general
distrust of him experienced when he stepped
into the dead Presidents shoes, looking fairly
over these three years and half, Chester Arthur
seems to he entitled to the respect and confidence
of the people of this country. The public men
who have had intimate business and social rela-
tions with him speak of him a worthy official
and a courteous. gentleman. In those amenities
which add to the luster of the highest
station, / doubt if we ever had a Presi-
dent who was his superior 1t has been
a long time since we had one who was
comparable to HIM The idea conveyed in
the thursts OF some witty paragraphers that
the President is dude or a snob has not the
slightest foundation in fact A personal meet
ing with him would relieve the apprehensons of
the severest Of these critics. The PRESIDENT is a
remarkably well dressed man. and doubtless has
a great many pairs of trousers. Every man
ought to dress as we'll as he He Should at
least make his apparel comport with his means
and his station. 1t would not be an edifying
spectacle to see the Presidents trousers bag at
the knee, or his coat shine with the gloss which
is the penalty of long attriion. One Of the
cheapest humbugs of the day is the talk about
the simplicity of the fathers and the danger of
luxury sapping the manhood of the Republic
man can be as brave, as strong as
gentle and as defiant champion of
republican institutions in elegant-look-
ing perfect fitting, delightful feeling suit of
clothes as he can in q wool hat and "hand me-
down substitute for the fig leaves. have seen
public men, and some of them high steppers in
the political ranks, who would do well to sit at
the Presidents feet and learn Of him, not the
frivolous fancies of fashion, but that old science
commended IN the word of the Maker of men
when it tells US that cleanliness is next to Godli
mesa. But though tbs President wears the finest
clothing that the best tailors can make, there is
nothing in his dress to offend the most orthodox
simplicity, nothing to suggest the garish array
of color and the disgusting extremes of cut
which constitute the glory of the modern dude.
His quiet dignity and his affable, unrestrained
address have removed from the receptions at the
White House the stiff ceremoniality that used to
make them gorgeous bores. He appears always
the poised graceful, we'll bred gentleman
ANOTHER VIEW OF HIM.
Templeten, in Boston Herald
My late born esteem for Mr.. Arthur does not
attain the quality of enthusiasm. He does not
impress me at all a great | see in him
still marks of Objectionable training as a poll
tieian. But he does know how to efface self and
to learn from others. Perhaps man more con
scious of his own ability would be less capable of
such an achievements. Yet Abraham Lincoln
did it, and in the power to do it was the one
secret of Lncoln's success. Mr.. Lincoln was a
man of big brain and of rare originality of char
acter. He was a statesman, and he was a poll
tielan also. He was one of the shrewdest and
uioSJ keehSlglIeu ponJlclanS Ine cOun-'
try ever saw. He was capable, while hav-
ing his mind fully alive to the Importance of
the great issues of the war which were on his
shoulders. of still paying the closest attention to
the prospects for his own re election to the pres
dency People who knew him during the
period of possible doubt that hung over his
denomination were often reminded of that fact.
He was well aware of Mr.. Chase's ambition to
succeed him, and he watched it very closely.
When he was thinking of nominating Mr. Chase
to the Chief iusticeship of the Supreme Court,
it was suggested to him that it might take Mr..
Chase out Of the field rival for the presi-
dency Mr. Lineoln'a eye twinkled. II will
appoint him. said he, "but not with any such
expectation as that Chase will work for the
presidency harder than ever when he gets ON
the bench. Nothing will cure him of that crav-
ing" If Mr.. Lincoln had been smaller man he
would have been jealous of his secretary and
quarreled with him. AS he was a shrewd
politician, he conquered him without quarrel
But it is probable that the President was almost
as anxious to be reelected as the secretary was
to supersede him. There is another interesting
incident illustrative of President Lncoln's man
ner Of dealing with the men who opposed him.
On the last day of the session of 1865, Mr.. Sum
ner made a furious attack in the Senate on Mr..
Lincolns policy in the reconstruction of the
State OF Louisiana, when Gov. Hahn had been
put into power under Gen. Banks, with not so
much consideration for the colored men as Mr..
Sumner thought necessary, Had half as much
been said against Andrew johnson, he would
have ragged like mad BULL had such an
attack been made on Gen. Grant, he
would have set that heavy jaw of his
and never spoken to Mr.. Sumner again. Now
mark the course of Mr. Lincoln. The
next day was the inauguration ball Mr. Sum
went to it doubtful of his reception. He
was met by Mr.. Lincoln with the request that he
would take Mrs. Lincoln into the hall This
kind forbearance deeply touched Mr. Summer,
and he used to relate the incident with pleasure.
Mr.. Sumner had always been Mr.. Lincolns
friend, and Mn. Lincoln meant that he should
remain so. An inferior man would have been
puEnaciously resentfal don't know that Mr.
ArthHr would have been equal to the same exhi
bition of good nature, but he has been very
skilhul in not provoking animosities He seems
to me a frst.rate administrator The party
which gets this quality in its President is very
fortunate. ana if there is an opportunity to elect
such man again to his Office, it is very foolish
if II fails 70 acpart