The New York herald., 1872-08-20

seems so plentifully to abound, who are neve
willing to believe that the party can do any wrong
but who do believe that the best way to maintain
its supremacy In the State and the country gene
rally is 20
GO 1T ROUGHsHoD
over all who dare to differ with them as to wha
means should be employed to keep the thing to-
gether. In other words, he Is a great peacemaker
in times OF factous outbreaks within the lines and
he firmly believes that a conciatory spirit on the
part OF the eaders-not to say wire-pullers-ls the
strongest possible kind OF preventive against In
subordnation in the ranks.
Shortly after my arrival in town called at his
oce but learned that he had gone to his residence.
considerable distance outside the city proper, and
that it more than likely that he would, in few
hours, leave for the Thousand Islands, visit it
was thought, to President Grant. l at once pro-
cured conveyance and was soon deposited at the
gateway Of the elegant mansion. Mr.. Clarke was
at home, and aeew minutes after had been ush-
cred into the parlor he came in. The usual for
malites of an introduction once over, we soon be-
came engaged in general chat about things in
general and State politics in particular. Mr..
Clarke spoke unreservedly about the prospects OF
the campaign, and made no attempt to conceal
the fact that there some things in the conduct
Of the administration toward a large portion OF
the republican party In the State which, to put 1t
mildly were very much to be regretted.
STRONG FOR GRANT.
"You are Grant man. of COURSE" remarked
after we had talked for awhile about the chances Of
the republican party being successful throughout
the State.
~ am, most assuredy," was his immediate and
emphatic reply.
"And you have doubts about his electOnS"
Mr. Clarke smiled good humoredly, and, with a
merry twinkle in his eye, replied
"You know there Is nothing certain in this
world; but think that General Grants success in
the election Is about as certain as anything can
think of that may come to pass. The great bulk of
the republican party know will stand by him, and,
what Is more, he VIII certainly be supported by a
very large number OF democrats-by far larger
number than people at present have any idea Ofn
Glow about this slater"
even, to tell you the truth, think the result in
this State will depend almost entirely upon
THE STATE TICKET"
''Then you concede that Grant Of himself cannot
defeat Greeley in this State ?"
II don't say that; but what mean to say is this,
that the party Is just now In such condition that
it VIII require the utmost caution and good judg-
ment to prevent serious break, Tor you must
know that AN the republicans in the State are by
means OF the same mind about certain matters with
which the administration has had everything to d."
ADO yOu refer to the feeling existing between the
Conkling and Fenton men r
II do. happen to know Of my own knowledge
that the party could have been made a unit long
ago, even as late as the Syracuse Convention. A
day so before the Convention ] went down to
syracuse, and met Mr.. Conkling and Mr.. Cornell
and Mr.. Latin and several others, and did my Ut
most to prevail upon MI. ConEling to take the only
step
You remember all about the difficulty between
the Greeley committee and the other. The former
! contended you know, that IL would require new
State committee to do what the other had con-
tended they had the power to do. But there is no
use going over the matter. But to return to Mr..
Conklng saw plainly that he had majority in
|
mittee could be appointed and resolve to do ex-
actly what the other had done. The committee
| could not be found fault with by the Greeley or
Fenton men after the declaration they had made.
| / remember his reply, as he brought down his hand
on the table and exclaimed,
| Il WILL NOT CONCEDE ANYTHINGr"
"Do you suppose that this concession would have
! been satisfactory all round ~
81 do, for the reason that some time before this
! wrote a letter to Senator Fenton about the diff
cuties in the party, and his reply to me was very
| satisfactory. He appeared willing that everything
should be done consistent with the rights Of ALL to
weld the party together. or course, armed with
Conkling to conciate matters, although, of course,
did not exhibit Mr.. FentOn's private letter to him.
STILL gave Mr. Conkling TO understand that by
doing as suggested, and adopting certain policy
MUTUAL FoRBEARANcE,
oil the difficulties between the two wings could be
| bridged over When l found that he was deter
mined not to make any concessions l considered
my task done, and went home satisfied that there
would be row at the Convention and that the
gull between the two wings would grow wider
t tnan ever @ day by DAY. subsequent events proved
| that was not wrong In my opinion"
Conklnggr
a very high estimate OF him in every way, and the
personal relations existng between me and Mr..
Conkling of the most friendly characters but for
all that must say that think the party could
have been made stronger by
DIFFERENT COURSE OF ACTION
than has been pursued SO iar"
"In what respect"
'ln the first place by different treatment Of the
Fenton wing or the party. The President has al
along meant wen and means well, but he was lee
to believe by Mr. Conkng and others that the party
in this State would be stronger without than witt
the. Fcnton men. l freely confess that Mr.. Fentor
has always been as far as | could learn, ex
ceedingly anxious to heal the breach in the
he and his followers should be trampled upon
| 10 attain that end. / met him coming out OF the
dining room at the Arlington one morning, atteI
breakfast and we got talking about the dificultes
in the lalty, and he satisfied me that he wilir:
to do all that lay in his power that not degrad
ing to put an end to them. myself, some time al
terward, made
CERTAIN SUGGESTIONS TO THE PRESIDENT
without alludng to the conversation had had wit
things out in thsState. 1 also suggested to Ger
tain senator that, without ever consulting Mr.
Fenton, certain removals OF officials might TAX
place, certain changes be made here and there, an
then all would be well l was assured afterwart
that the suggestions were received In good part
little while after this Mr.. Crovl ley came to Wash
ington, with his recommendation to be apponte,
Marshal OF this district. Mr.. Fcnton, who had no
| been at the White House for long time before
called in person on the President and informed hin
| that Crowey's appointment would be very distaste
fu to him personally The very next day the Presi
| dent appointed crowley, and OF course that cnde,
matters as to
| FENToN's WILLINGNESS TO GO HALF WAY
in bringing the two wings OF the party together
Here Mr.. Clarke drew long breath and ex-
| claimed patheticaliy:-
| "And am truly sorry for 1t. In my opinion thu
party could easily have been made a unit long agt
| had different course been pursued"
"Do you think" here asked, THAT Mr.. Conk
ling has got over his notion that the party Is
| stronger without the Fenton men 2'
Mr.. Clarke smiled grim smile full OF meaning
| and Replied certainly think he has Why, Sir
| I candidly believe but for the difficulties In thi
| State In The party the Cincinnati movement woul,
never have been heard OF. True, IL was pushed OF
| by many Influences; but the troubles In this Stat
brought 1t about as much as anything else. Yo
see a portion OF the party were offended by the wa