The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-23
Tho Republicans at saratoga.

leans. There has been too much reason to
expect that the same spirit of hostility to
Senator Conkling, which was so active in the
choice of delegates, would be carried to the
Convention and become an element of dis
cord But it is apparent that good sense
and moderation are to prevail over such i'm
pulses, and that while there will be an
animated contest for the leading nomination,
it will be. in the main, contest without
bitterness, and that the Convention will
escape the danger of vindictive quarrel.
real desire for harmony seems to actuate
majority ofthe delegates and republican out
siders, and there is fair prospect that there
will be n truce to recent grudges and Jeal-
ousies during the State canvass. The battle
! is too doubtful and there is too much at
stake for the party to plunge into internal
! discussions, and the feeling that the Presi-
dental election will probably be decided by
the result in New York begins to exert
SOLDERING influence
Senator Conking himself is perhaps con-
| tributing more to the restoration of harmony
| than any other individual by standing aloof
| from the Convention in an attitude OF wise
| forbearancc. He has decided to leave the Con-
vention to take its own course without any
active attempt to influence its choice. Mr..
Cornell is understood to chafe at this reserve
and lack of zeal on the part of a man to
whom he has been SO unhinchingly loyal,
but he is too much interested to be an i'm
partial Judge. Senator Conkling doubtless
owes Mr.. Cornell much, but he owes more
to the republican party and in conflict
between personal friendship and public OBJ
legation the former must give way to the lat
ter in conjuncture so critical Even if it
were in the power of Senator Conkling to
control the Convention (Which it prob
ably is not) the nomination of MIR.
Cornell would defeat the party in
the election, and the worthless honor
of mere nomination would be purchased
at too heavy cost. Mr.. Conkling is doing
his duty-a and for man of his strong, i'm
pulsve, resentful nature it must be diff
cult duty-in declining to take up the gage
Of defiance thrown down by his enemies
This magnanimity and self-command de-
serve recognition by the whole REF ublican
party.
Senator Conkling has, of course, no share
in the attempt to influence Mr. Cornell to
make voluntary withdrawal of his claims,
for this is not necessary to ultimate har-
mony. 1t is enough to leave Mr.. Cornell to
take his chances with the other candidates,
and he will learn soon enough what his
claims are worth when he has submitted
~ 10 70 49, ho Hor
declined to fight his battle it would be I'M
seemly for Mr.. Conkling to do anything
against him, and he will probably take no
| part in attempts to transfer Mr.. Cornell's
strength to any other candidate. If the
party succeeds Mr.. Conkling will deserve
the credit Of removing obstacles to
harmony; if it fails, as in SO doubtful a con-
test it may, the result will be in no degree
chargeable upon him if he abstains from
turning the scale in favor of candidate
destined to be beaten. We would fain hope
that when Mr.. Cornell is withdrawn there
may be general concentration on Mr..
| Evarts, for in the event of his election Re
would make an admirable Governor But
we cannot blame Mr.. Conkling if he for
bears to assert his power in any way and de-
clines all responsibility for nomination
which might not result in an election. He
will, of course, give his cordial and powerful
support to the candidate, whoever he may
be, and trust to the justice of the party for
! his own vindication.
1t seems most likely that Mr.. Cornell will
be out of the race after two or three ballots
and the main contest will then be between
Mr. Morgan and Mr.. Evarts, with prepon-
derance of chances in favor Of Morgan if
either of them can get majority. Morgan has
more skill as political manager and would
be likely, if nominated, to infuse greater
vigor into the canvass ; but Mr. Evarts would
better satisfy independent voters and attract
more support outside of the regular party
lines. II the party is strong enough to sue
coed by merely calling out full republican
vote Mr.. Morgan is the more desirable can
didate but if it needs recruits from other
sources Mr.. Evarts would have much bet
ter prospect of enlisting them. Mr. Morgan
would spend much money to promote his
own election Mr.. Evarts would spend none
or next to none and this consideration may
perhaps determine the result
But, so far as yet appears. neither Mr.
Morgan nor Mr.. Evarts will have anything
like majority in the early ballots, and if
the Cornell delegates should scatter it is very
possible that neither of them will grow to
majority in any subsequent vote. In that
case the dark horse will win, and nobody
can tell which of the lesser candidates has
the best chance of coming in as the
dark horse. If neither Evarts nor Morgan
should gain rapidly in the first three ballots
the friends of all the minor candidates will
stand firm, each set hoping that its favorite