The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-19

may say, men OF influence have as little faith
in rose-watcr politics as soldiers would have
in kid glove campaign. Other drawbacks
than his vigorous craftsmanship Mr. Conkling
has none. He has never been Samson of in
fiation, like Morton; he has no doubt
full pecuniary transactions to explain.
like another leading rival he is not
a mere "babe and sucking" in politics,
like Mr.. Bristow. In ability, eloquence,
literary and social culture, in the kind of in
formation which BELTS statesman, and IN
personal dignity and high sense of charac-
ter, Mr.. Conkling is superior to every rival
who is supposed to have any strength. The
idea that because he has been a steadfast
friend Of President Grant he must repeat his
mistakes is preposterous. No two men
could be more unlike, except in the great
point wherein all strong men resemble one
another - infexible steadiness. General
Grant came to the Presidency without civil
experience Mr.. Conkling has ripper ac-
quaintance with public affairs than any
other man in the United States so young in
years The President is utterly destitute Of
eloquence and literary cultivation; Senator
Conkling is the most eloquent and one
of the best read statesmen in public life.
President Grant has never outgrown his
original inexpertness as a politician; Mr..
Conkling is q trained and successful politi-
cal manager. President Grant made the
fundamental mistake of surrounding him
self with Cabinet of army officers and per-
sonal favorites; Mr.. Conkling is too well
acquainted with the ways of politics not to
see the advantage of strengthening himself
with body of counsellors who possess the
confidence of the country. No good judge
Of character can believe that a man so differ
emily organized and trained as Senator
Conkling would give the country tame
repetition or servile second edition of the
administration of General Grant.
Mr.. Conkling's rivals are floating (if they
can be said to be afioaD on an ebb tide which
is rapidly receding and will leave them
stranded, high and dry, on the political
beach. Mr. Blaine will not even receive the
united support of the New England States.
He will not get either the Connecticut dele
cation, the Massachusetts delegation or the
New Hampshire delegation, and even that of
Vermont is likely to turn against him after
the first ballot. He is out of favor in Penn
sylvania, his native State, and the only one
of the large States on which he has ever
counted. The fact that he could by no pos
sibility carry the indispensable State of New
York, even if nominated, is o conclusive
reason why he cannot be made the candi-
date of a party bent on success. Moreover,
his past record is rising up in judgment
against him, and no party desires a candidate
who must stand on the defensive. Cesar
repudiated his wife because she was sus-
pected he surely would not have welded
woman whose honor was not above sus-
picion.
Mr. Morton's chances are better than Mr..
Blaine's if we can use the word "better' in
such connection. Mr.. Morton will be sup
ported in the Convention only by States
whose electoral votes are certain to be
given to the democratic candidate Even if
he could be elected no political party de-
sires President whose physical inirmities
make it doubtful whether it would not suffer
a repetition of the evils which have always
followed the accession of Vice President to
the highest Office. Mr.. Morton's prospects,
like Mr.. Blaines, are going into an eclipse,
from which they will not emerge Mr..
Bristows chances are not worth discussing,
for the simple reason that political conven-
tions are controlled by politicians, and he
is no politician himself and has no sup
porters who are. President Grant owes it
to himself and his party to put out of the
scheming for his own nomination or abusing
his office to cross the Presidents wishes;
and if this step were taken Mr.. Conkling
would walk over the course"