Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-23
ARTHUR IN POhITiCs.
Depew's RecOile, tions of Him In
and Out OF the White House.

Depew's RecOIle, tions OF Him In
and Out Of the White House.
CHICAGO, Nov. 2l.-Chauncey NJ. De-
pew, now in Chicago, said last night the
death of ex-President Arthur was a
shock to the country AS politician he
was a power. In factional fights be was
very adroit and used all the patronage
and elements Of power at his command.
As party leader, as Chairman Of the
State Central Committee, he understood
the State perfectly and knew the wants
OF the different localities and showed
great capacity. AS Collector OF the Port
be manifested extraordinary ability and
unquestioned official integrity. He be-
came President OF the United States. The
record behind him shows that he was a
skillful party manager. she said to me
at the time Garfield lay at Long Branch
during his last illness and said it with
great emotion, that the greatest possible
calamity that could happen to him Ar
thur would be President Gartield's death
and the development upon him of the
responsibility attendant upon National
affairs with the expectation that he would
iuifill all that had been anticipated of
GaIfield's administration, and he felt it
keenly and with sOlemnity. He knew the
IB6lluk Ol Jut COuubIy III EeGuIQ 10 It's sue
cess and what devolved upon him
as its inheritor. He said to me
during the first yeor Of his (Arthur's)
administr alton that he had but one am
biti0n, and that was TO merit and to win
the good opinion OF his c0unJrymen with
out regard to the enemies he might make.
the friends he disappointed, the interests
he would ALLEVIATE. he made this the
whole aim to the close of his administra-
ton. He belonged to that magnificent
ScUtch.Irlsh stock which at all Times and
in tie service or all countries has proved
powerful wnere great energies were re-
CURED. SO this easy-gOing, pleasure
loving man, not a voluptuary, but some
thing like il, who delighted nucn in the
social side Of life, rose at once to the Presi-
dency under circumstances and by an act
more frightiul in its surroundings and
consequences than any which mad hap
pened to the American people except
when Lincoln died. De found himself at
a perilOus time in duty bound to cope with
important questions, nut be rose 70 the
occasion and future generations will re-
mem Der bis great ability. Less than a
year ago | sat between him and Gen.
Hancock at dinner. Hancock was the
picture Of health, while Arthur looked as
il the hand OF death was already on hiIn.
It was an exceptionally bright affair,
and an amDroslal night that
CHRISTOPHER North might have
celebrated. Hancock and Arthur
both contributed their share to the enter
talnment. Hancock died three weeks
afterwards, and Arthur ever since bas
been fading away slowly but surely, and
80 inevitably that all bis friends feared 1t
aud he appreciated the result. The i'm
partial historian will judge MIN ny his
career as President. lie was a cultured
gentleman and loved by foreigners; and
the representatives OF did civilization
brought into contact with him were de-
lighted with his culture ana social All
yancement, amenities and requirements
which many of our Presidents sadly
lacked.o