The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-18
Senator conkling versus the Presiden.

Senator Conkling versus the President. /
If Senator ConkIing entertained at the
time of the exciting contest over the cleo
toral count the views which it is alleged he
has lately expressed, the people of the
country will be apt to inquire why the
Senator has kept silent for so long time,
aud why he did not then range himself
among those who openly expressed their
belief that chicanery and intrigue were
being employed in the interest of Gov |
Hayes. The Senator'S declarations, as
reported TO have been made, are an i'm.
portant addition in some particulars to
facts already known, and in other respects
add confirmation to much that has usually
been considered copjectural tits strong
and fitting tribute to the integrity and
moral uprightness of the rank and file of
the army that the highest officers of the
nation were obliged to acknowledge large
majority of the officers and soldiers of the
regular army would be with Mr.. Tilden in
the event Of an attempt to employ the
army to forcibly seat Gov. Hayes in the
presidential chair Even Gen. Grant
seems to have discovered that the iniquit-
Gus scheme could not be accomplished in
that manner, and to have confessed that
he was at loss what he could do to further
the designs of his party. The Senator
more than hints at the completely of Sher-
man and Matthews, in connection with
Hayes himself, in dsgraceful and iniquit-
GUS bargain, and says that Hayes is now
III the hands of Southern democrats; pre-
sumably, if that be the fact, he is thus
placed in consequence of corrupt and shame
full promises made on his part in return for
their acquiescence in his fraudulent acces-
sion to the presidency.
Assuming that what the Senator SAYS &
Hayes is true, and that the whole history
OF the dark and disgraceful intrigue vii
ultimately become known, his estimate Of
the map and of his administration will be
Endorsed by every honest citizen through.
out the country. There is not the slightes,
doubt, if the allegations Of corruption in
obtaining the presidential office, and the
further allegations that never in the his
tory OF this nation has there been in the
entire four years of any administration SO
much corruption, bartering of Offices,
rewarding of political, favorites, traffic
with political leaders, and bargain and
sale of the electoral franchise as during
the past year, shall be shown to be true
ana made apparent to the people geuer-
ally, but that the President, all his CO.
consplrators, his corrupt associates, his
administration and all will sink to the very
lowest depths of unalloyed infamy.
Every one admits that Hayes is not a
great man, it has been frequently and sig
nlilcantly limited that he is not even good
man, not man of elevated and noble prin.
clples but willy and sharp practiciug
politician, still the picture which Senator
Conkling holds up to the gaze of the nation
SHOWS dspravity.and uncleaness of official
me- which IT not distorted and untrue. is
positively horrltying and detestable.
Senator Conkling has always horne tho
reputation of being at least above the vice
OF personal detraction or the meappess If
eAalting his own name and influence upon
the ruins OF a rivals name and fame. and
though he has always held aloof from onr
intimate association with the president
since his becoming such, and has been CON.
sidered as personally not specially friendly
to his administration, yet they are both O,
the same political party, and his accnsa.
lions have much greater force than if mad,
Oy the presidents political opponents.
but suppose Senator Conkling is aboy,
tne meanness of partizan jealousy, an,
that still further, he can and does ris
superior to the affront Of being ignore
"Nu SiRnted BY the .administratio