The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-08-21
Monument TO President
Arthur Dedicated
ON SITE OF BIRTHPLACE
Addresses By Hon. W. E. Chandler,
R. 7. Lincoln, and Senator
Proctor.

Fairfield, Aug. 20--The granite nonu-
ment marking the site Of the birthplace Of
the late President Chester a. Arthur was
dedicated here this afternoon. A drizzlng
rain, and the remoteness OF the site from
railroad facilities combined to limit the
attendance mostly to Franklin county pe0-
pie who could drive from nearby points.
No attempt had been made to introduce
elaborate features or any display In any
part Of the programme. Ex-Congressman
III Henry Powers of Morrisvllle presided,
aud the exercises consisted simply Of the
presentation Of the monument By ex-Gov.
William w. Stickney Of Ludlow, who was
ia charge 81 It's erection, the acceptance in
behalf Of the state by Gov John G. Me
Cnllough and number of addresses. The
principal speaker was ex-senator William
e. Chandler Of New Hampshire, who
was secretary to the navy IN Arthur's
cabinet.
Mr. Chandler said IN part;
tThe childhood Of Arthur was fortu-
nate. Born Oct 8, 1890, in a secluded
Vermont village. ia this lovely town OF
Fairfield, his education was supervised by
patient, noble father, the Rev. William
2AANMMAH ~ AlNi iAtAtAs tAA HAAAAAt eAAAM Ava q
time the principal Of country academy at
Williston, VT who spared no pains in the
instruction of his Oldest boy. Under these
conditions it Is no wonder that the ex-
emplarg youth 6f gentle manners and sweet
disposition made rapid progress in his
books and became himself q teacher
tFew distractions delayed the young
man while studying law, and at the age of
l. gfs..sE -. s.,
York city, and had moderate success from
the trst, before the war began, but when
the war clouds we're IN the horizon, on Jan
/. 1851, when be was only 80 years Of age
Gov. Edwin D. Morgan appointed him en-
gineer in-chiefof the militia of the state
OF New York, with the rank Of brigadier-
general and he began bis unpretentious
but indispensable and important work
With the exception of an inspection OF the
New York troops in the army of the Poto-
mac, he did not serve actively in the field (;
but, enlarging his law practice in 1862, he
also became active in Republican politics
and 50 continued for ten years. Mr. Ar
thurs record as collector OF the port Of
New York Is as immaculate as is his rec
ord seven years later as President Of the
United States Why, then was that man
removed from the smaller Office who was
worthy of the highest post tn this govern
ment9 The true reason Is easily seen and
is unmistakable. He was removed by
President Hayes for political reasons lin
order to help one faction in New York
Republican politics In its efforts to over
come another fraction.
1Up0n retiring from the Office Of collect
or, Gen. Arthur resumed law practice;
but he continued to be active in politias,
and In 1880 advocated the nomination of
Gen. Grant to succeed President Hayes,
being delegate-at-laTge to the Chicago
convention When, on the 36th ballot,
Gen. GARFIELD, citizen Of the West, was
selected as the most available nOmi-
nee by combination Of the Blaine dele
gates and other anti-Grant delegates, the
nomination OF Arthur for vice president
as an advocate of Grant and resident
OF the state Of New York, was inevitable
Naturally and wisely, the administra-
tion brought into power by such extraor-
binary events was conservative and conoil
iatory In every possible direction. If an
opportunity for turning the tables BY ont
faction ia the dominant political party up
on another faction was afforded by The
tragic events of few months, President
Arthur refused to take the advantages
thus offered to him lie recognized little
IL any difference between the factions t
which he had belonged and that which ht
had opposed, and he endeavored to obliter
ate all distinctions within his party.
''The administration was emphatieall!
one of peace and quietness.
"Mr Depew, speaking sucelnctly Of tn
acts OF Arthur names two which he say
are Of dramatic picturesqueness and his
torieal significance; one, at the yorktown
centennial, when the President directe'
the firing of a salute in honor Of the Brit
ish flag, and especially as mark Of th
profound respect entertained by the Amer
lean people for the illustrious sovereig
and gracious lady who sits upon the Brit
ish throne; the other, the insistence a
the last act of bis administration on th
restoration of citizen Ulysses s. Grant, i
his old age and sickness, TO be again th
general Of the United States army.
.sTo the credit of the administration O
President Arthur belongs the beginning 9
the reconstruction of the American navy
which SO well served It's purpose in battl
III the wear 1898. Nor was the desire Z
the administration confined to a revival {
OF the navy alone. but the report Of th
navy department In 1882 asserts that tn
interests OF the navy are inseparably II
volved with those Of the commercial ml
rine Of the country
Remarks also were made by Robert
Lincoln of Chicago, secretary Of war
Arthurs cabinet Senator Reddeld Pro
tor, Congressman d. J, Foster and ~
fridge Haskins.
The monument is a square block
rough granite. having one polished sit
bearing the inscription. "0n this sp