The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-21
President Arthur.

square, in the city of New York, on
Tuesday, of bronze statue of Chester
Allen Arthur. This statue will per-
petuate the memory not only OF dis
tiuguished President but of a man dis
tinouished also for high qualities OF
mind and heart, which he exempltfied
under circumstances of trial that rarely
come to test the spirit and character of
any man.
There are, probably, few men con-
corning whom there is--or was up to
the time of Gsrfeld's assassination and
death--a greater misrepresentation than
was Chester A. Arthur. That awful
crime revealed to the people at large
the pure gold of his character, as his
merits had before been known and
priced by the smaller circle of men who
had enjoyed his friendship and had
discerned, and had had practical dem
onstration of, his intrinsic worth and
strength.
The development of fine feeling, of
ear perception of the right, of won
derful grasp of public questions, of
high capacity for chief executive af-
fairs, of fidelity to public trust, of con-
sclencefu and patriotic performance of
duty that came to the nation at large
when the tidings of Gar6ed's assass-
nation were broken to him, and, later,
when he succeeded to the office of
President, were we'll understood by
those who knew him better than the
fierce political partnership of the times
had painted him, and the qualities
which to the general eye seemed new
were really but the natural and legiti-
mate unfoldings of great and noble
nature. Time and again, on q more
limited arena than that to which the
assassin's bullet so suddenly summoned
him, the innate nobility of the man,
his extraordinary abilities, his aptitude
for important affairs, his fearlessness
and chivalry, had been shown. His
administration as President, the mar
velous delicacy and propriety of his ie-
portment in time of greater trial than
ever came 10 any man succeeding to
the office of Chief Executive, were but
the fulfllment of the promises of his
former life in.private pursuits and pub
lie office.
Mr.. Arthur was a native of Vermont
and Vermonters, disregarding the
senseless clamor raised against him by
the Independents in 1880 as candidate
for the vice presidency, derived from
the inspiration of his name much of
their wonderful enthusiasm in the
eventful canvass of that year, which
materialized IN a majority for the Re-
publicans in the September election
that was accepted as the sure presage
of the brilliant national triumph that
followed in November. The New
York Sun makes this rapid survey of
Mr.. Arthur's career, which, it truly
says, "was throughout notable for
fidelity to his party and his convictions
and for vigor and effectiveness:
Though born in Vermont he was educated
at UnionI College in Schenectady, and was
graduated at it with much distinction.
Like so many Americans who have become
ilustrious in our national history he taught
school during part of his college course, in
order to earn the cost of it. During his
study OF law 'afterward, too, he supported
himself by fitting boys for.colege and for
time was principal of a school in Vermont.
1t was peculiarly American start in life
President Arthur's initiation into the
practice of the law was in an Office in New
York with the late Erastus ID. Culver,
who had been an anti-slavery member OF
Congress. Thus young Arthur was early
linked in sympathy with the anti-slavery
movement and he won his first distinction
at the bar in defending the right OF slaves
to freedom in the free State OF New York.
In another notable instance he demon
strated his courageous support OF the rights
of the colored people. Before 1855 they
were forbidden transportation on the street
car lines in this city, but President Arthur,
with his associates took up the case of a
colored woman 80 excluded and elected,
and won fo5 her and her race the right to
ride in the street cars.
He was Wing and he participated in the
first Republican State convention in 1856
Having been appointedsby Governor Nor
gan brigadier general on his staff, he
rendered distinguished services during the
civil war in organizing volunteers from this
State. In 1871 he was appointed collector
Of the port Of New York by President Gran
and made one OF the most capable collectors
who have ever held that office. In 1880 ht
was nominated for vice-president ON thu
ticket with President Garfield, after whose
death from the shot Of the assassin Guiteat
he became president in 1881.
And the Sun adds these just words
of high and appreciative eulogy:
This nation has never had a man in tn
Office of President who better preserved it
dignity and sustained its responsibilities
than President Arthur. Physically he wa