The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-11-25

reported themselves unable TO find any thlas
upon which 10 base. a charge against him. N
their pronunciamentos announcing the
change. both President Hayes and Secretary
Sherman bore official witness 10 thespurity Of
his acts while in Office. After his removal.
Mr.. Arthur returned to the practice of his pro-
fession and the discharge OF his GuIies as
chairman OF the republican central commits
. zee OF New ork state. IN the campaign of
lst9, winch resulted III the election of Gov.
Cornell fwho hae also been suspended BY Pres
ldent Hayes in 1879, Gen. Arthur took an ac-
Chicago IN 1880 to bring about the nomination
of Gen. Grant.
Upon the selection of Gen. Garfield. Mr.. Ar
thur was nominated by reclamation for the
Vice Presidency, with q view to eonciliating
the stal@a element, especially in his state,
and TO his labofs were largely due TO the uiti-
mate election of the national Republican
ticket. de presided with dignity and Impair
TALLY over the proceedings OF the Senate and
and It's extra session. In The earlier STAGES of
Inc conflict over the New York offices between
aa,esslue4S SaIfield and Senator Conklipg, Mr.
LOOK ne SHARE, bat after the resignation
pl niessls :, Sonklng and Platt. he went 10 AL
n ,at S s lent his active support to the
n 1, iof ihelr re eectiou Upon the death of
resident Garfield, Vice President Arthur was
~ ~, ~ Us ms successor by one of the judges
taxing place at his residence in the metronoIis
AZ o el9cR a. m of the 10Th tiay of Septel,lber
1881. Alter accompanying the remains of his (
predecessor to Washington. MIR arthnr ~, the the
I'd, again TOOK the oath of Office in q more
formal fas1lon, before the chief iusfiee of the
supreme Court of the United States deliverine
AT the same time q brief address expressino his
sense on lhe great responsibilities deyolyed
upon him by the act of the assassin.
Gen. Arthur as President occupied the White
House from September, 1881, until he surren-
dered it to his successor, President Cleveland
March 4, 1855. Whatever opinions may be held
sto his political judgment or administrative
force it is very generally conceded that in per-
sonal bearing and manner, he graeed the high
office to which he had been called. He wore
his hoc ors with ease and dignity. He was over
SIX feet high, of full figure, but of graceful ana
dlgniiled carriage. His face was full and fa1f
and generally clean shaver except for thin
gray side-whisters. His hair was dark and his
eyes Drown His speech was pleasant and well
lnouultbed ana lew men manifested so mnch
courtesy and consideration in the personal
contact With others did Mr.. Arthur. Those
VINO enjoy ed social relations with him during
his occupancy OF the White House will retain
q most pleasant remembrance of the ex-Presi-
dent. Mr.. Arthur dressed in excellent taste
generally IN black.
Mr.. Arthur was married in 1859 to Ellen Lewis
Herndon, OF Fredericksburg, Virginia, q daugh-
ter of Captain Lewis Herndon of tie United
States Navy, who had gained honorable dis
tinction when III command of the naval expedi-
ton sent 10 explore the river Amazon. His
herole death in lS07iS q matter of history. In
command of his steamer Central America,
which Went down. with q loss of three hundred
and sixty five lives, he stood at his post on The
Whe elhouse and succeeded in having the women
and children safely transferred to the boats,
remaining himself to perish with his vessel.
General sherman characterized this deed of
unselhsh devotion the most heroic incident
In our naval history. Mrs. Arthur was lady
OF the highest culture. She died i'll 1880, leaving
Two children, a son young Alan Arthur. and a
daughter Nellie. Her room at Mr.. Arthur's
house, rs Lexington avenue, New York, re-
eeath, not one picture removed nor one trife
changed in Its position.
Soon after leaving Washington for New York
upon the expiration OF his presidential term,
Mr.. Arthurls health was announced as falling,
and much soictude was expressed by his
friends, Recently, however, they have been
inspired by hope, on account of what was sup
posed to be a favorable change in his condition,
and his death is announced almost unexpeet-