National Republican., 1886-11-19
Death of Ex.rrcsident Arthur.

Death of Ex-Prcsident Arthur.
Chester Allan Arthur, twenty-Hrst Presi.
dent Of the Unit d States has passed from
earth, reaching the end OF a well spent life
IN his 18th year. The announcement OF his
death was general surprise, for, although
he had been in failing health for many
months, the hopelessness Of his condition
ard the extent to which his vitality was
exhausted were known to few besides his
fsmily and physicians.
Mr.. Arthur was one OF q number who
have attained TO the presidential Office with.
out achieving greatness lie was not an
asplrant for presidential honors, and the
nomination for Vice President was totally
unsought and unexpected. lie had filled
number Of Offices in his state In q credita-
bic manner, and had won the approval Of
the best informed by the serupulous fidelity
with which he discharged the duties Of the
collectorship of the port Of New York. He
was known to be strong In moral courage,
because, in the early days OF his career
at the bar he had taken sides with the
most active opponents Of the fugitive
slave law, and had volunteered TO de-
fcnd alleged fugitvcs In the federal
courts Of New York. At that time
moral cowardice was the rule throughout
l,a rnrtb E,.,,, In fppEN ~ churches
there was craven spirit OF submission to
tie demands Of the slave owners. From
many n pulpit in northern cities were
heard fervid appeals for faithful per-
formance Of "our duty toward our southern
ble,hren," and learned dlvines in New
York, Boston, and Philadelphia would en-
gage, ON short notice, to prove the divine
origin Of slavery. Breasting the waves Of
public opiuion-a public opinion that al
most justified the mobbing of abolItionists
aud the occasional burning Of their ware
houses-yourg Arthur stood up in the
courts beside his black clients, and pleaded
their cause with as much self-satisfactlon
apparently as If they had been millionaire
aristocrats.
We do not care TO speak at length of the
events which made Mr.. Arthur President.
No man Of this generation, no one who
lived in the current Of those events, is cap.
able Of doing justice TO the principal actors
therein. 1t was time Of intense feeling.
Tie passions Of partisans were profoundly
excited. 1t was such crisis as would have
prccipitat,d d a revolution IN any other re.
public Of the western hemisphere. But it
is due to the dead ex-President to say that,
in this trying hour, he bore himself as be-.
came the head Of the nation. Quietly,
firmly, and, withal, modestly, he stepped
into the presidency so tragically vacated,
and did so bear himself In that great Office
until the close of the administration that
the honest historian will be compelled to
write his name In the list Of the coun-
try's successful Presidents. He had been
identified with the stalwarts-the Grant and
Conkliug wing of the party. The vice
presidential nomination which had brought
lin to the Chief Magstracy had been
thrown, by the victorious wing, as sop to
the defeated stalwarts. 1t was naturally
supposed that his would be stalwart ad-
ministration-the reverse OF the admins.
tration begun by his murdered predecessor.
But Mr.. Arthur elected to take medium
course between the factions, and while this
necCssitatcd what seemed like desertion
Of his best friends, 1t gave general satisfac
tion to the conservative elements Of all
parties and factions.
The Arthur administration was not dash,
ing, rot brilliant, but quiet and safe, There
will always be two sides, two very positive
and absolutely opposite opinions as to til,
foreign policy which was substituted fol
that Of the Garfield administration, But
there will never be a doubt that the Presl
dent acted in the sincere belief that he wa'
doing Just what the occasion called for
Prior to his advent in Washington to pre-
side over the Senate at the extra session IL
March, 1881, Mr.. Arthur had been generally
spoken Of as "merely local politician ,
and there were hints that he would be
found deficient in those habits and acquire
ments that mark the gentleman. But
President Arthur proved to be gentleman
in the broadest, fullest, best sense of the
word. lie kept the dignity that became
the President, not ms If by strained Efforts
hut as II he had been accustomed to tn,
place and It's duties. The best citizens Of
Washington, men Of femlneuce in many hon
orable walks Of life, had sincere respect
for Mr., Arthur. Washington recognized il
him true and helpful friend.
AS citizen Mr.. Arthur was upright
square, manly, As a husband aud fathcl
he was all that the ideal home demands
His devotion to the memory Of his deceased
wife was touching IN Its tenderness aud