The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-04
THE RETIRING ADMINISTRATION.

THE RETIRING ADMINISTRATION.
With the Republican party, President Ar
thur and his Cabinet step down and out at
high noon to-day. Assuming Office at time
when the public sentiment was at an almost
dangerous tension, and under circumstances
moro forbidding than had surrounded almost
any other Vice-president when suddenly
called to act as President, General Arthur so
conducted himself and his Office as to avoid
ofense, and to gradually compel large share
OF the confidence of his party and the coun-
try, and to win universal respect. In doing
| this, however it must be conceded, by even the
warmest personal and political friends of the
| retiring President that he somewhat magni-
fled the necessity Of an apparently do-nothing
policy, and has, consequently, too much made
colorless and negative administration. In
some directions he has exhibited rare strength
and sound judgment, notably in the majority
Of important nominations he has had
| to make; but as whole, the adj
| ministration has not had a strong hold
either upon the party OF the country, and this
we think may be attributed to what seems
constitutional timidity on the part of its head.
1t was within the easy possibilities, without
any violation of official propriety, for Presi-
dent Arthur to have received the nomination
at Chicago; but he permitted things to drift,
and allowed diversions in his own official
Abraham Lincoln, until that great President
exerted his individual strength and knit the
whole administration into unity, when
it became not ,nly strong with it's
party, but with the country Presi-
dent Arthur's delicacy and timidity
were carried to excess, and the influence so
pern,eated the entire administration that in
its positive acts it has failed to command
either party or general support. Instances of
this are shown in the practical defeat of the
treaties negotiated during the last months,
and to which all the force of the administra-
ton was given, without avail in commencing
them either to the party or to the country.
1t is great mistake, no matter how
high-lninded and honorable the mo-
tive prompting it, for any executive
officer to think that strength and honor lie in
the direction of what for better expression,
we call laissez faire History and observation
show that the strong men, the men who
have come to distinction by achieving the
best and greatest things for their country, are
those who take hold Of matters with a
firm grip; men Of positive convictions and
force Of character. We think this criticism
will be made upon President Arthurs admin
istration by ali, and by none more than by
his nearest friends and warmest admirers,
while it will be universally conceded that the
country has never had a more polished gen
tleman, more conscientious officer, one who,
by education and training, was better able to
handle the affairs of the Nation than he; nor
administration there has been less jar and
friction than under his. In his hands the
presidential office has lost none of its dignity,
nor has it suffered the impairment of any of
it's prerogatives. Chester A. Arthur will re-
tire with the cordial goodwill of the country,
and his administration will take its place in
history as one which, commenced in storm
and doubt, ended peacefully and without dis
turbance