The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-05

much who It was). and II he could have a con-
ference to lean on he would proceed TO remove
the Federal ofllccholdcrs in Albany. Uucn, SYRIA.
cuse. Rochester. and Bunno and appoint enc
mics Of Mr. Conkng all along the limo. The
slate for this city is made out. AMI its appoint
mcnt WIS announced day or two ago but 1t
proved premature.
When Mr. Cornell camc ont " the woods tho
had not been in SO dccp. guess. but that he
know what was going on he proceeded to plan
with great promptitudc, a counter conference.
1t WIS his own idea. and Mr.. Conking WIS not
consulted in regard to 1t till the arrangements
were completed. If he had simply called n
meeting of Mr.. Conklng's friends he would
have boon no better than tho Pharisccs of tho
previous week. But ne was sharp enough to
SEQ that by giving the other faction mn opportu-
nifty 20 make good their professions. their hy-
pocrisy would bc demonstrated Tho first Con-
ference declared that it wanted harmony Tho
last undertook to give II n chnncc To- harmon2c.
When Mr. Cornell issued invitations to Cowdin.
Prince. Morgan, md their friends to conferwth
him and his friends at Saratoga. he really per-
formed tho shrowdcst at Of his political career.
True, they did not come. and true. too, he did
not expect they would; but there was constcr-
nation for day or two In their camp. They
were not all invited. The lines were drawn
discriminatory between those who were distin-
guishcd and those who were simply extin-
guished. The uninvitcd. when they heard OF 1t.
were greatly afraid tho invited would attend.
and they tclcgraphed them the most Imperative
instructions not to go. Then each of the in
vitcd. after making up his own mind to refuse.
was sorcly troubled lest the others should ac-
ccpt. II Cornells purpose had been simply 10
mako mischief in u hostile camp. he could not
have hit upon happier means than that OF in
viting the disgruntel to conference of tho
ecclesiastical But he accomplished more Ilo
compelled Conkling's opponents to put them
selves on record IA men who would not hold
consultation with those from whom they diff
ferod. even to heal the dissonsions which they
dcplorcd. This reduces them to the humiat-
ing position OF sclf-confrsscd factionists. and
enables the other side to say with good show
Of reason. that they constitute tho party
Mr.. Conklng's letter was an aftcrthought. 1t
WIS tho Senator'S original purpose TO be- present
ut the Conference. But his presence would
have nccessitated u speech. Unfortunately
speeches are measured by length moro often
than by breadth or depth. aud II no had con-
fined his remarks to the few things he had tn
say. the impression would have gone abroad
that he was trying TO evndc some question or
| conceal somc design \ letter, however. il OK
pcctcd to b. brot aud after n hurried consuta-
! tion with two or three friends Mr.. Conking de-
cided To- adopt that form OF expression. Tho
effect of the letter 50 far rs 1t defines Mr. Conk-
| ling's own position in the campaign. is To bali'
hostile critics m. The most that his enemies
can say Is that he doesn't mean what he says
! but that is pucric way Of dealing with a man
who has not hitherto used words to conceal
thoughts.
Tho last Conference. like the first. demanded
n State Convc nti0n. but its way Of doing II wns
more democratic. |, discussed the question
| with an appearance OF cHndor submitted 1t 10 q
| vote and carried H. ms Bardwcll Slotc would
say. by large majority" II is true hat a
full Convention was virtually agreed upon by
the members OF the State Committee themselves
several weeks ngo las set forth In tho ilrst o
these ietter,,l. and they were only awaiting N,
return OF Mr.. Smyth to issue the call But L
seem to act on the compulsion Of two Confer
enccs without in the least disarrnnginG the
previous plans. gave them an advantage. o
which they gladly awaited themselves
1t may well he doubted If these Conference
will tend Ia promote more kindly rotations be
tween the friends and enemies % Scnnto
Conhling in the Republican party. Tho Cow
din AFFAIR W Is badly managed. II conlhcd it.
invitations 80 faction; 1t demanded fealiv t.
fraud ~ a condition OF admission It's call wa
issued under the mistaken impression tina
there was f., be- no Convention it created al
irregular State Committee, and its proceeding
wero condueted with an air of secrecy that wa
suspicious. The Cornell meeting was open an
free. and. Ms the Ner York Times puts il, II Wa
MS fairly representative OF the party as such
gathering could be expected TO be.' But 1t wa
so clearly designed To- expose tho prctension
Of tho opp sing faction and to leave 1t no logi
cal leg on which 10 stand. and 1t succeeded =
we'll withal that 1t arousns more anger than
'allnys Those who opposed Mr. Conkling be
fore oppose him now with Increased HIT 'rne-'
, But rs their anger grow, moro intense The sui
stance Of their grievance dminishcs making
moro and moro difficult for them to present
cuse which can properly cngngc the atteniio
~ their ~ rty. But both Conferences will h
rcprcscn,c at the Convention, and il may the
be- Soon whether they frel better toward cac
other in : ,piember than they did in August.