The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-17


The HERALD has no reason for regret or
modification in consequence of its having
so steadily set forth the claims and qualiica-
tions of the eminent New York Senator. He
is citizen of our own State, and we trust
it is pardonable State pride which desired
the recognition Of the ablest New York re-
publican when he is also the ablest and
broadcast republican statesman in pub
lie life. Senator Morton and Mr.. Blaine
may be his equals in native vigor
of intellect, but in culture and ac-
quired accomplishm ents they do not ap-
proach him. He is also their superior in
quality which ranks higher than mental
force or culture-a high and proud sense
of character which scorns to stoop to the
arts of a demagogue He has done nothing
in this exciting canvass to forfeit the esteem
of his countrymen, founded on his high
tone as a man of honor and principle. He
has made no exhibition of himself for
stage effect He has attempted no in
trigues to promote his nomination. He has
not descended to that busy electionecring
activity which has made the lives of his
principal rivals SO feverish for the last few
months and is SO inconsistent with dignity
of character. He has borne himself through
out with the decorous reserve and freedom
from the electioneering fussiness which is SO
common among our public men. The State
of New York may feel just pride not only
character, but in the manner in
which he has borne himself during
the period when he has been made
by his friends q prominent candidate
for the Presidency. He has done nothing
during this trying ordeal which tho most
fastidious of his admirers would wish diff
fcrent He has been defeated, to be sure,
but in this respect none of his prominent
rivals has any advantage over him. 1t is
safe to soy that Senator Conkling's political
future is attended with brighter tokens Of
promise than that of any of the rivals who
have shared his fate Mt Cincinnati. He is
still young and, four years hence, he bids
fair to be the recognized and peer
less leader of the great political party
Of which he is already the best equipped
mind and the brightest ornament The
HERALD has satisfied its sense Of State pride
and its sense Of fitness in the disinterested
tributes it has paid to this distinguished son
of New York, and it expects to see him rise
constantly higher in the confidence of his
party and of the country. We look to him
as one of the few public men by whom the
politics of the country are to be elevated,
and the one, above oil others, who can best
afford by the strength of his talents
to emancipate himself from narrow
partisan views and wisely guide the
opinions of his countrymen. Had he been
nominated for the Presidency he would have
been compelled to be a mere representative
of party; but he is now free to fulfil the
higher mission imposed on him by his great
abilities, and to be the trusted adviser of the
nation. He is strong enough to check and
moderate the unrefecting impulses of his
own party and to bring spirit of wisdom
and considerateness into the counsels of the
government, whether he is destined to
act with or against the party in power.
It is q great thing to have in
public life men whose Judgment on public
questions their political opponents are
compelled to respect We trust that the
action of the Cincinnati Convention yester-
day will make Mr. Conkling less of parti-
san than he has been heretofore, and lead
him to assert his true rank as national
statesman I; for he is the only man in public
life whose abilities qualify him for so dis
tinguished o part. He is head and
shoulders above the average type of men
who succeed in gaining official positions and
if he will hereafter wear his party fealty
with little more moderation he has the
best chance of any American statesman of
being looked upon as pillar of state"
against which the country will lean in every
grave emergency.
The vigor with which Mr.. Conklings
friends have supported him for the Presi-
dency has had salutary effect. 1t is the
one thing which has prevented the ruinous
nomination of Mr.. Blaine. HID Conkling
been out of the field there can DO no doubt
that Blaine would have been the success
full candidate. It is something to have
defeated SO ruinous nomination.
Conkling's chances for the nomination
would have been excellent if the data on
which his friends reasoned had proved to
be correct. They expected tho solid and
jealous support of the Pennsylvania delega-
ton, and if this expectation had not been
disappointed Mr.. Conkling would have been
the nominee of the Convention. HIS friends
also counted on the vigorous support of
President Grant, who in fact stood aloof as
mn inert spectator of the contest, although
he had passive preference for Conkling.
A strong support from Pennsylvania
and strong support from President
Grant were the two most important
factors relied on by Senator Conk-
ling's friends in their efforts for his nomi-
nation, and if their reasonable expectations
on these heads had not been disappointed