The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-01
THE >Ex-pREsIoENr.
He Lays Down His once with the Good
VIII and Respect of the Whole People.

VIII and Respect of the Whole People.
President Arthur lays down his high
Office with the goodwill and respect of
The whole people. North and South he
10 esteemed alike. And he retires ac-
companied by the sincere regret of q
very large body that his administration
Is not to continue. The vast majority
of the Republican party would certainly
be satisfied with second term for him,
and the Democrats very generally ex-
pressed preference for q continuance
Of his administration If q Democrat
could not be chosen. The Democrats
were entirely satisfied with the fairness
Of his administration as an opponent,
and the mass of the Republican party
the great body OF it-feel that while
Arthur has been the President of the
whole country he has been wise and
trustworthy leader of the party that put
him in power.
1t is,a simple truth 10 say that It has
been long time since President has
retired carrying with him such general
esteem; 1t has not been uncommon for
the people TO experience a feeling of re-
lief at the expiration Of Presidential
term. While Arthur has entered upon
no adventure nor exhibited any of the
eccentricities which often strike the i'm
agination, he has steadily grown in the
confidence of the people as safe and
dignified ruler, in whose hands the
honor and prosperity Of the country
were secure. There has been an entire
absence of bluster about his administra-
ton that is exceedingly grateful to
everybody except few restless politi-
clans.
When we measure the position that
Arthur has attained in the confidence
OF the country, we must not forget the
disadvantages under which he entered
upon the Administration. His own
party was distracted to the verge of DIS
solution by internal feuds that had been
aggravated by the most indiscreet am
bition; owing to circumstances he had
not the confidence Of his own party,
and he was distrusted by the country at
large. No Vice-President ever sue
ceeded to the Presidency under such
difficulties; and none so succeeding ever
gained the confidence and regard OF the
country as he has done. The man who
can thus comport himself and out of
suspicion win confidence has great quail
tiles. A small minded-man would GER
tainly have failed where Arthur has
succeeded.
The personal Administration of his
Office has been model of unfailing
courtesy and dignity. 1t has been a
clean Administration; and an Admins
tration that has done all it could TO cor
rect accumulated abuses. During his
short term the principles of reformed
civil service have been maintained and
resolutely infused into the departments.
This has been a quiet work, but not sec
ond in importance TO any thing that
claimed the attention Of the Govern
ment II. ="
When the historian looks for great
measures consummated in this admin
istration, he will have to remember two
things In the first place Mr.. Arthur's
term for accomplishing anything has
been very short; short in time, and
short by reason Of his inheritance of
the unfinished plans and quarrels of the
preceding administration. II needed
long time of patient waiting and cir
cumspection b,fore he cohld begin to
move at all And in the second place,
his administration has been a Of
gradual healing, when what was most
needed was a steady, just Government,
under which sectional feeling should
disappear. And the student will not
fail TO see in the years of this Admins
tration decided and most healthful
growth in the consciousness OF national
ity North and South. For. the in
efficiency OF Congress Mr.. Arthur is not
responsible. With Democratic House,
no legislation OF any practical value
has been possible. II the House had
been Republican, we should no doubt
have had some wise readjustments
Of tariffs and taxation, and the con-
summation of legislation OF financial
necessity. But with a hostile and in
competent House any progressive meas
ures Of administration have been i'm
possible. But the administration has
been far from idle. The negotiation Of
the foreign treaties, whatever their fate
may be. shows an enlightened and CON-
prehensive apprehension Of the growing
power, opportunity and needs Of the
United States. The Government has
been powerless with such a Legislature;
but an Administration that puts forth
such statesmanlike scheme as that
embodied in the last report Of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury can not be rated
low in policy or In apprehension Of
what Is demanded for the prosperity Of
the country. 'r
There are few people in the United
States, except those who are out and
want TO be In, who do not see Arthur's
Administration come TO close with re-
gret, aud there are still fewer who will
not confess that he has lifted up and not
impaired the dignity and honor of the
Presidential Office. He deserves well Of
the whole country, and he has its con-
iidence and respect Hartford Courapt. |
REMOVAL AND REFORM. \