The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1886-11-27
Chester A. Arthur.
o. Times Democrat, Nov. I9.


New York, gentleman called acei-
dentally 10 the Presidency /, few years
ago, but who filed that high Office
with such credit to himself and to the
country that he will be remembered as
one of our best Presidents.
When nominated as Vice President
on the Republican ticket but little was
known of Mr.. Arthur He had played
part of some prominence in New
York politics, aud was recognized rs an
efficient campaign manager who had
succeeded in greatly reducing tho Dem
ocratic majority in the city. 1t was
supposed that he was merely local
politician, knowing little outside of his
own State and city and there were
not few papers who thought the Sc
lection bad one, even for SO inferiur
an Office as the Vice Presidency. Time
has shown how greatly their judgment
erred in this estimate of the man, who,
raised suddenly to the highest elective
position in the world, showed himself,
notwithstanding the small experience
he had had in public affairs, so fully
! fitted for the Office.
Called to the Presidency under cir
cumstanees that naturally aroused a
prejudice against him even among
members of his own party, Mr.. A,thnr
proved one of the best Presidents this
country has ever had He was, first of
all, a gentleman in every sense of the
/ word. Under him, the White House
became famous for its hospitality, and
was in every sense the social centre of
the Union. In every relation in which
! he was thrown Mr.. Arthur proved HIM
self hospitable, courteous, considerate
to all. But he was more than this.
He was throughout the patriotic Ameri
can, recognizing party obligations, it is
trne. but thoroughly patriotic, fee fro,n
narrow partisan and sectional preju-
dices, aud the President of the Whole
country. His policy was distinctly
national, yet free from tiiG cheap deina-
gogical appeals that Blaine had made
in his foreign policy. This country
was freed By him from ioteign eutang-
ling alliances and an earnest effort
made to improve aud restore its foreign
4 trade. Mr.. A,thur recognized the i'm
porianc of the trade of Latin America.
and one of the leading ideas of his ad-
miuistrafion was TO extend 0nr COM
merce TO the South, creating a new
market for our products.
Mr.. Artllur's administration was
thoroughly unsectionai The South be-
gan 10 realize that it was, indeed, in
the Union again, entitled 10 all its ben
efits and advantages Mr.. Arthur
proved its earnest advocate aud friend
4 nn every occasion Nothing showed
hls broad fsatliotism lnote conspicuous
" than his eloquent special message on
the Mississippi river, for whose inn
provement he recommended a liberal
appropriation as ii great national
stream IA view of the matter taken by
few New Yorkers. In the Worlds In
dustrial Exposition here Mr.. Arthur
again proved himself our friend, aud
eVincra the sincerity Of his patriotism
aud of his good will for the South.
Another striking feature of his ad-
ministration was its eleanness. The
government was we'll and thoroughly
administered was free from scandal
and earnest efforts were made, as fai
as the administration Was concerned
to give lis Il pure, honest and efficient
government.
His able administration dissipated
all tile preiudices against him, and he
soon became one of our most poliIiai
Presidents. When he went out o.
office it WAS with clean lmnds and with
ihe good wishes Of tilr whole country
with the hope every where expressed
that his future caieer Wauld be full Of
success
He proved himself the same colrte-
ous, dignifi.d gentleman in retirement
that he had been as President; but
alas the new career opened to him was
/. to be of short duration. Dir Arthal
was taken sick soon after leaving the
White House aud lie has ever since
been slowly dying.
The whole eonntry will hear will
sorrow the news of the death uf this
gentleman, who, elevated to the Presi-
dency by an accident. proved llinisel
so truly worthy of that high position
gentleman, Il statesman, conrfe0ul
and honest Id every capacity, and o
the broadcast nafinnai patriotism
r. h 4