Nevertl - eless, we cannot say we like President Arthur's first address.
It is strained and artificial ill tone, and does not refer, except by a distant implication, to General Garfield's distinctive policy of abolishing corruption in the distribution of patronage. The President promises peace, hard money, and economy ; but these are words of course, and it is to this long sentence that Americans will look :— "All the noble aspirations of my lamented predecessor, which found expression in his life, the measures devised and suggested during his brief administration to correct abuses and enforce economy, to advance prosperity and promote the general wel- fare, to ensure domestic security and maintain friendly and honourable relations with the nations of the earth, will be gar- nered in the hearts of the people, and it will be my earnest endeavour to profit, and to see that the nation shall profit, by his example and experience." The word " abuses " there is the only one which can cover the subject of patronage. Mr. Arthur has requested the Secretaries to retain their places ; but already rumours are afloat that he intends to make wide changes, and- that Mr. Conkling will be appointed Secretary to the Treasury. They may be unfounded, but that address is no spontaneous expression of feeling, and the refusal to summon Congress is an- attempt to gain time, and allow public excitement to subside.
