Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-25
TILTON
SENATOR c0NkLlNG
From the Albany Evening journal

"Calumniate him." said the old French
writer; keep on eliminating him; some
will stick" This virtuous and lofty maxim
political codes. 1t is the high p%rincipled
at shining public marks. More than almost
its conspicuous target. Only the other day
it was trumpeted all over the country that
he was about to launch a thunderbolt
against the president's title. The story was
palpably absurd on its face. Mr.. Conkline
was foremost in creating the electoral COM
mission, and apart from every other consid-
Grafton, the idea that he would ate mpt to
impeach the result of his own work was
preposterous. Yet the false charge was
started with the hope that its impression
might Stick" and had it not been prompt
ly and efectually stamped out the purpose
might have been partially successful.
That is only one of many calumnies. In
an ungracious condition Of the denial, the
New York Times alluded to another which
has been most maliciously and insidiously
propagated. 1t says ":here are people I'M
generous enough to suggest that as an in
quiry into the settlement of the electoral
squabble might through a side light upon
the hesitation of q certain senator about the
vote of Louisiana, and the price which was
expected for certain New York appoint
ments, the less said about the subject the
better by Mr.. Conkling or those in sympa-
thy with him." This ia but the reflection
of innuendoes from other scources. Mr..
Watterson, of the Louisville Courier Jour.
nal, has from time to time darkly limited
that at some period between the presidential
election and the final proclamation of Hayes'
title, Senator Conkling had part in a secre,
of alliance with democrats to seat Tilden OF
to force q new election or to do something
contrary to republican hopes. The New
York World has suggestively shrugged its
shoulders. Others have mysteriously wag-
ged their heads as if to say AN We could II
We would" The effort has been to create
the impression that Senator Conkling held
an equivocal attitude, and the intimation has
been that some obligation of confidence or
veil Of secrecy shielded a dubious source.
ALI such stories-we say it with deliber-
alton and emphasis-of whatever form or
character, are absolutely false. And We
mean here and now to deal with these in
situations, come from whatever quarter
they may, in such plain and unmis,akable
terms az to unmask the assailants and show
the utter groundlessness of their charges.
Our convictions are 20 clear that, if there be
any seal of confidence on this subject be-
tween any person or persons, living or dead,
We take the liberty, and we are quite sure
that Senator Conkline would sanction it, Of
saying that this seal is dissolved. If any
person has the elightest knowledge of any
purpose or act on the part of Senator ConE-
ling during the electoral controversy differ.
ent from his public attitude, and feels re-
strained from saying it by any obligation of
secrecy, we take the further liberty, and We
are very sure that Senator Conklinp would
confirm il, of saying that this person, who
ever he may be, is absolved from NV such
obligation. Nay, more. So certain do We
feel that all these insinuations are altogether
unfounded that We venture 10 challenge all
comers who profess to have the slightest
knowledge or evidence on the subject, and
to say that if anybody viii furnish proof of
any such thing-a note, . card, a dispatch,
a nod, . scrap of private conversation, any
thing whatever Sealng on the matter-and
if he feels embara8ed BY any engagement
OF secrecy We promise to obtain full per.
mission 70 publish it-nay, We will ourselves
publish it. II there be any stronger way 70
put it, We will put it in that stronger form.
The prayer Of Ajax was for light.
And We are sure that nothing would be
more agreeable to Senator Conklinx than 70
have the light Of all knowledge turned on
his entire action in regard TO the determin-
alton Of the presidential election, and every
phase Of the prolonged controversy. Our
readers know US we'll enough to know We do
not make these strong avovals without the
most conclusive and well-fouudcd convic.
tons. We pronounce utterly groundleas
every psetense Of sbargain or Of = schene
Of bargain on the part Of Senator Conkiing