The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-12-02
CHESTER ALAN ARTHUR.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE Ex-
PRESIDENTS LIFE.

PRESIDENTS LIFE.
The Son of an Irish Baptist Clergyman
Educated Lawyer and by Birth a
Politician.
Ex-President Arthur was one of the
many men of distinction born in the
United States of Irish parentage. His
father, the Rev. William Arthur,
came in early youth to this country
from the county Antrim. He was
clergyman of the Baptist denomina-
tion, man of much learning, and by
taste and research an antiquarian.
Chester Alan, his eldest son, was born
October 5, 1880, in Fairfield, Frank
lin county, Vermont, and vas educat-
ed at the schools of various places in
or near which the father was pastor.
He entered Union College, at Schen-
ectady, New York, at the early age of
fifteen, and graduated four years later
though he was two winters absent
teaching school. He was good stu
dent and took the highest honors in
his class, being, moreover popular"
man in college, and already an ardent
politician of the college type. The
next four years were spentin tie study
of law and in teaching, and in 1858
young Arthur, then just %, became a
partner in the law firm of Culver,
Parker & Arthur, in the city of New
York, of which the Hon. E. D. Cul-
yer was the chief.
In 1859 Mr.. Arthur was married
to Ellen Lewis Herndon, daughter of
the heroic Captain William Lewis
Herndon. She was lady of high in
telligence and strong character, and
their union was a peculiarly happy
one.
The next year, 1860, he received
what was regarded as a purely COM
plimentary appointment as member
of the military staff of Governor E.
D. Morgan. But in 1861 the war of
the rebellion burst upon the country
and the Governor promptly called on
the young lawyer, just turned thirty,
to take the post of Quartermaster-
General, and to assume charge of
quartering, subsisting, arming, cloth
ing, equipping, and forwarding the
troops of New York for the Union
army. The energy and skill with
which this task, suddenly imposed,
and increasing with unforeseen rapid
ity, was performed was one of the
proofs of the remarkable fertility of
the North in men of capacity. "Gen-
eraP' Arthur, as he was then first
called, and as he was afterward to be
known even when in the White House
performed his duties so we'll that in
1868 his successor uner Gov. Seymour
warmly acknowledged his services,
and his accounts, submitted to the ma
tional government, stood scrutiny and
audit without the deduction or criti-
cism of a dollar in amounts running
into millions. The story of this peri
cd, as told by Mr.. Artnur's associates,
is extremely interesting. One feature
of it can alone be referred to now, and
that is the testimony borne by all to
his absolute integrity and unselfsh
honor in post where he might easily
have amassed a great fortune.
He returned to the practice of the
law and to that ardent and skilfnl
part in politics for which he had al
ways shown both fondness and fitness.
He was an early and effective worker
for the nomination and election of
General Grant to the Presidency. In
November, 1871, President Grant
made him Collector of the Port of
New York, to which place he was re-
ported in 1875, the first to enjoy that
honor since the creation of the Office.
He made during his term many
friends among the business men Of
the city and presented a record of
conservative and prudent action in
the matter of appointments and re-
movals. He was however, the &C
knowledged leader of the Republican
party in the city and State and when
in 1877 President Hayes issued his
order forbidding officials to take active
part in politics, Mr.. Arthur failed to
comply with it and was removed from
office. The removal rather increased
his influence as the leader of the
"Stalwarts," who were in control Of
the New York machinery Of the Re
publican party. In 1880 he, with
Senator Conkling, led the movement
for the nomination of General Grant
for third term When that was de
feated, Mr.. Arthur was named as 6
candidate for Vice President with Mr.
Garfield, as peace-ofering to the
Grant or Conkling wing of the party
He was elected and succeeded to the
Presidential Office September 20, 1881
on the death of President Garfield
His career as President is too familiar
to need recital. 1t was marked by
very conservative and candid tone il
foreign affairs which was of great ser
vice to the country in matters il
which a dangerously jealous polio,
had been previously pursued and b.
I e