The sun., 1878-11-09
Roscoe Conkling.

The ascortaincd complexion OF the Legls-
lature is such as to make the reelection OF
ROSCOE CoNKLING as certain as any future
political event can he made. To be
three times elected United States Senator
from the great State of New York is n dis
tinction OF which any man might well be
proud Mr.. CoSKLINGs first two elections
lie owed to his talents, character, and politi-
cal principles; but his third election will be
the result in a large degree OF ADVENT
tlous circumstances.
The Democratic party in this State was
split up into factions. Tammany Hall OBJ
tanned control OF the State Convention, and
signallzed its entrance into power by the
abandonment OF the most important issue
which had been made in favor Of the Dcmoc-
racy on the constitutionality OF the Elec-
toral Commission.
Upon this open reputation by the Demo-
cratic party OF the great constitutional
principle at stake. we. with many others OF
Its allies, withdrew our support. More
over, we opposed Tammany Hall ON the vital
question Of the one man power as against
the rule of an unfcttered majority OF the
people. The interest in this contest was
not confined to New York city. but pervaded
the whole State and was almost as intense
elsewhere as here.
These causes contributed to the defeat OF
the Democratic party. In our judgment
they determined the result. We are OF
opinion that with the party united ON a
platform strongly denouncing the Electoral
Commission as unconstitutional, and not
wthstanding the present iniquitous APP
poitionment OF the State, there might
have been Democratic victory. followed by
the election of SANFORD T.. CHURCH TO the
United States Senate in place Of Roscoe
CoNKLING.
One OF the incidental consequences Of the
Democratic defeat, brought about in the
manner we have stated. is the reelection of
Mr.. CoNKLISG. But to suppose that this re-
suit is in any large measure attributable to
any peculiar popularity Of Senator CoNK-
LING at present would, in our estimation, be
erroneous.
We felt disposed to tolerate Mr.. CoSKLING
rs a candidate for reelection because in the
able speech which he made at the Republi-
can State Convention he omitted all refer
ence to the Electoral Commissions; and this
we thought might fairly be taken, under all
the circumstances, az n tacit admission, on
his part that the measure could not be
supported on constitutional grounds.
But 1t is to be borne in mind-it must
never be forgotten-that Mr.. CoSKLISd is
the author, or at least the chief promoter
OF that intoerable measure meas
ure which went TO the utter subversion OF
the most essential principle embodied in
The Constitution.
When, therefore, the small band OF fcnthusi-
astic admirers Of the Senator talk about fur
ther political promotion for Mr.. CoSKLING--
about nominating and electing him to the
Presdency-we think such talk is idle. We
venture TO predict, and We make the predic-
tion very confidently, that the author Of
the unconstitutional Electoral Commission
bill will never be President OF these United
States, and will never be nominated for
President by the National Convention Of any
political party.
Moreover, Mr.. CoSKLTNa's offences against
the liberty Of the press and the personal
rights of citizens would alone be sufficient
to condemn him; and they are only cast into
relative obscurty by his more wanton and
deadly attack ON the Constitution through
the Electoral Commission bill. In this, he had
neither ignorance nor incompetency for an
excuse. He sinned knowingly, wilfully, de-
libcrately; and for 50 great sin he de-
serves neither forgiveness nor mercy.
In his own party Mr. CoSKLING has had
victory over the elements antagonistic 10
him; but it Is a conquest which is rather H.
Illustrative OF their contemplate weakness
than Of his strength. 1t was more the Ad-
ministration winning n defeat than Mr..
CoSKLING winning victory.
ROSCOE CoSKLING has had enough al
ready. In truth, he has had too much. 1t
would not be for the good OF the country
that he should ever hold any higher public
Office.
1t Is almost beyond doubt that Mr.. CoNK-
LING will be once more returned TO the
United States Senate. But he will enter
upon his third term as, politically, dying
man.
The Next House.
The returns OF the elections for members