National Republican., 1886-11-20
Breakfast Table Lotter to the Presidcnt

breakfast Table Letter TO the President
MIR. PRESIDENT: 1t seems but yesterday that
the people witnessed the courteous and con-
siderate attention of President Arthur in all
the details OF the Inauguration OF his successor,
and on return Of the cor.ese to the executive
mansion his strict observance of the propri-
eties of the occasion.
AT the porch Of the white house, remember.
ing that he was then an ex.President he
turned, with graceful dignity, and bowing to
President Cleveland. intimated that he was
the host, and the ex-Presdent the guest.
In your letter of confidence to his sister
Mrs. McElroy, you y!ndicated the truth of this
statement when YOU grac!ously said that he
was your kind aud considerate friend.
These amenities of life between persons in
high station representing different political
parties are most pleasln. 70 observe and
beneficial as examples
within the short space of sixteen months
you have been called upon as President to OH
clally announce the death Of two eE-prss-
dcnts-U. s. Grant and Chester A. Arthur. The
duty was discharged 50 appropriately and ten.
derry as to touch the heart of the nation.
The death OF citizen who has filed the
highest Office OF the republic is an important
historical event, and recalls vlyldly the story
Of his public and private life, especially the
circumstances that contributed to his eleva-
tion.
Contrast for moment tho grandeur of the
pageant Of your Inauguration; the two hundred
thousand people representing more than the
five million voters who aided in your elec.
tion; the day Of rejoicing for n victorious
party. that had struggled for supremacy for
nearly a quarter of a century. Contrast this
scene with the quiet, solemn surroundings OF
Chester A. Arthur when called upon to take
the oath of office amid the angry and threat
ening condition of public sentiment caused by
the tragic death of Garfield.
History will write that no man took the oath
Of Office under more painful circumstances
and serious forebodinss, except at the first in.
auguratlon OF Abraham Lincoln.
The utteranees of President Arthur were
wise and suitable for each occasion. His
demeanor was eminently distinguished as
courteous and true gentleman. These qulli-
ties and characteristics inspired an increasing
confidence that his intentions were hon.st,
and that he patriotically sought the grandeur
and glory of the republic, whatever difference
ofopinion there may have been with regard
to some of the policies OF his administration.
It is becoming in free people to properly
observe by memorial services and the cessation
ofpubllc and private business the obsequles of
such eminent citizens. On the death of Adams
and Jefferson, Daniel Webster said; "Thelr
highest, their best praise is your deep conylc-
tion Of their merits, your afIeotionate gratitude
for their labors and services. II Is not my
voice, II Is this cessation of ordinary pursuits,
this Nrcstlng of all attention. these solemn
ceremonies, and this crowded house, which
speak their eulogy.n
On the death of Washington, Marshall spoke
Of him as follows: Favored of heaven, he de.
humanity maguanImous in death, the dark
ness Of the grave could not obscure his bright
ness" John Adams also said OF Washington;
"For himself he had lived long enough to life
and glory; for his fellow-cit2ens, II their
prayers could have been answered, he would
have been immortal"
Upon the death of james Madison, in 1885,
John Quincy Adams was the only surviving
ex.President of the United States, and then n
member of the House of Representatives,
where he said "of the public life of James
Madison what could say that is no. deeply
impressed upon the memory and upon tho
heart of every one within the sound of my
voiceY
On the 2ist Of February, 1915 John quincy
Adams rose in his place in the House OF Rep.
rCsentGtlyes, apparently with the design Of
making some motion or remark, lie was OBJ
served first to hesitate and then to fall. lie
was borne of to tho speakers room aud was
heard to utter the words "rhe last of earth"
Thee were his last words.
1.-THE suddenncss Of this event, the place in
which 1t occurred, the circumstances attend