The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-12-24
A GRACEFUL TRIBUTE.

life, the Atlanta Constitution had an
editorial note Of a very heartless nature
in disparagement of the dying ex-Presi-
dent. But his death seems to have
leveled off that journals prejudice
against the Northern statesman, for
since the deplored event the following
contributed article has appeared in its
columns 1t is reprinted here, because
it is an answer to the depreciatory
sentiments entertained by very many
people toward man whose modesty
concealed his real greatness;-
On dreary Sunday afternoon in
January 1885 it was my privilege to
visit the white house with a southern
senator who was one of the most init
mate friends of President Arthur. We
were received in the presidents private
parlor and remained there two hours.
The president and the senator con-
versed freely on number of public
questions, especially the condition and
prospects of the south. remember
distinctly the earnest interest with
which the president inquired concern
ing the social and political problems OF
this section; and then hew kindly he
spoke of its people and how hopeful
we're his views Of their future. 1t was
a subject of frequent remark during
Mr.. Arthur's administration that his
iavorite companions and his most inti-
mate friends we're southern gentlemen.
Whenever he sought recreation from
the cares of Office they were invariably
ameng the few invited guests who
shared his hours of rest and enjoyment.
| suppose that the three men who saw
most of him socially during his presi-
dency were Senator Butler, of South
Carolina, Vest, of Missouri, and Ran
som, of North Carolina. They we're
all typical southerners, though very diff
ferent from each other in almost every
respect. Not one of them had the
least political sympathy with the presi-
dent, and the fact that he chose them
as his warm personal friends was one
of the evidences Of his liberal nature.
A man freer from political or sectional
prejudice was not to be found north or
south. A man of gentler and more
genial disposition is seldom found any
where. l(is kindly feelings toward the
south were all the more appreciated
by those who knew him, because they
were never paraded in his public utter
ances. He was partisan who hon
estly believed that in the success of his
party lay the best interests of all sec
tions, and he gave little official recogni-
ton to those Of the opposite poll
tical faith. But he was too honest
and too sincere TO bid tor popularity
by cheap and empty hattery. There is
species of the politician, north and
south, who delights in extravagant gush
and magnanimous protestations when
his heart is warmed with social
influences, and who relapses into mar
row and vindictive sectionalism as
soon as the champagne has evaporated.
Mr. Arthur was a higher style of man,
truer, though less demons,Tative
friend, a manlier and more effective
opponent. He was the first president
since the war who, in his messages to
congress, made no distinct allusion to
the south. He regarded the union as
fully restored, and recognized no sec
tional divisions. His whole life was
marked by an honest conservatism
and an unpretentious devotion to prin-
ciple. He had been for years the best
organizer Of his party In New York,
when he was nominated for vice presi-
dent, and the modesty which had kept
his importance obscure from the public
eye was maintained during heated
campaign in which others made the
fuss and claimed the glory, while he
did the real and effective work. The
popular impression the Garfield pulled
the ticket through was never shared by
those who knew the facts of that re-
markable campaign. 1t was Chester
Arthurs perfect knowledge of New
York politics and his great personal
popularity which carried the pivotal
state and defeated Hancock. Yet no
body ever heard him claim the honor
of the victory.
A man of less steady mental balance
and Of less fixed moral purpose, would
have failed miserably under the fearful
stress which he endured on his acci-
dental promotion to the presidency.
How he sustained himself officially
and personally is matter of history.
The presidency was as fatal to him as
it was to Garfield. The arduous duties
of the Office we're discharged by him
with patient and unflagging devotion
which completely undermined his con-
stitutlon. For years before he had led
a life of comparative leisure in the en-.
ljoyment of those amenities of life
which a considerable private fortune
had afforded him. The sudden assump:
ton of the heavy harness was too
much for him and before he laid IL of