_PUCK, July 28th, 1880._
This cartoon depicts so simply and clearly the position of the two
great parties and their respective leaders in the early part of the
campaign of 1880 that even at this date it hardly calls for any
elucidation whatever.
It may, however, be proper to note that the placing of Mr. Arthur as a
burden upon Mr. Garfield’s back, in the bag labeled “Credit Mobilier”
and “De Golyer Contract,” is not intended to imply that Mr. Arthur
himself had any connection with these scandals. Mr. Arthur himself
undoubtedly was regarded as an incumbrance to Mr. Garfield’s canvass
because of his very unwise choice of associates among the politicians
of New York, and his singular indifference to the regard of the people
with whom his birth and breeding should naturally have led him to
affiliate. In this it must be admitted that Mr. Arthur did himself an
injustice, for which, however, he amply atoned when Mr. Garfield’s
death threw upon him the responsibilities of the Chief Executive.
[Illustration:
HE CARRIES THE PARTY. THE PARTY CARRIES HIM.
]