The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-04
Mr.. coNKLrNe,s czMPxreM
Some Closing Reflections on what Might Have
Hrrn. viii n Hint OF What MAY BE.


him. rs he did in some former contests. He
could not easily avoid the policy Of conciliation
which was agreed on at Saratoga He would
not seek to avoid It. of course IL he could have
been convinced that Il would have resulted I'm
strengthening tho party and promoting the
cause in which he Is vitality interested. But
lingering suspicion haunted him from the first
that his rivals meant to play him fnlse-tha, the
Hayesites. under cover OF reconciling their
differences with the Republican managers in
this State, would accept all the nominations
they could get. and would then quietly knife the
candidates that did not suit them. II was not
the fear Of such plot which troubled the Sena-
tor. but the thought that his lips we're sealed so
that he could not condemn II even II he dscov-
cred IT, II would have pleased him better.
think. II the Saratoga Convention had given
palmer expression TO it, opinions. An open
attack on him. when he was present to answer
IT, would certainly have done him no harm. and
would have given him a chance TO make
speech to awaken the enthusiasm Of his friends.
The financial question Ia undoubtedly i'm
portant enough 10 engage the attention OF
states men, but unfortunately for Mr.. ConklinR.
II 10 not what is called an issue In New York.
The platforms Of the Democrats and Republi-
cans so far rs relates to tho subject Of finance.
are In substantial accord. and they are both
built on the basis Of hard money. Mr. Conk-
lng's discussion OF this question. therefore.
provokes no opposition from the Democrats.
but leaves the two leading parties with better
understanding between them than has existed
for years. Al first blush il might appear that
such an understanding ia desirable. Perhaps
it Is as mater Of public policy. Yet it Is any
thing but advantageous to those who controlthe
machine on either side. An active. bitter. relent-
less opposition is the FIRST requisite to getting
ont full vote. and without full vote all the
efforts Of the leaders count for nothing. II half
the Republicans and Democrats in the State
finding that they had no serious dispute to set
Tie at the polls should decide TO remain ut homo
on election day. the next Assembly would GER
tninlY be Democratic. Most politicians under
stand the process by which this conclusion Is
reached Under the existing apportionment
a majority OF the districts are Republican.
when full vote is polled. even when the State
is Democratic. But when general apathy pre-
walls. the party that usually controls district
is almost certain to lose IL. At such times the
minority usually discover before election that.
with a little effort III y can capture the strong
holds Of their oppon ents. They put forth the
effort less on account Of political than OF per-
sonal considerations They find peculiar pleas
urc in beating those at whose hands they have
often suffered defeat.
Ihavc consulted with the oldest inhahtant.
and he agrees with me that this is tho quletest
canvass toutside Of the metropolisl that the
State has ever Witnessed He took hasty view
OF the Senatorial canvasscs which have pre-
coded this: In 1874. when the Legislature
was chosen that sent Francis Herman TO the
Senate. Mr.. Tlden was running for Governor.
and the State was aroused from centre to cir
conference. In 1874 on the occasion OF Mr..
Conkling's reelection. tho Liberal Democratic
alliance met its Waterloo. In 1868. when Reu-
ben L. Fenton won his seGt. Presidential and
Gubernatnrial election combined to intensity
the excitement. In 1866. when Mr.. Conkling
succeeded for the first time. the Johnson move
ment WIS under way. and the radical sentiment
OF the Republicans was fully aroused. In 1852.
when Edwin d. Morgan was successful. Hora-
ito Seymour was elected Governor. and every
district in the State was thoroughly canvassed.
In 1860. when the Legislature that elected Ira
Harris anne in. Mr.. Lincoln was running for
President. In 1886. when Preston King was
making his Senatorial canvass. Fremont
and Freedom" resounded from every hilltop
in rural New York. In 1854. when Will
liam II. Seward was returned. the repeal
Of the Missouri compromise. the Fugitive Slave
bill. aud finally the Kansas Nebraska legisla-
! tion-erievances extending over a period OF
! four years-had combined TO build 10 an in
tense and passionate feeling which was ire
sistible This summary carries US back over a
period Of quarter OF a century. II we should
| dip deeper into political history We would find
no variation from the rule that Senatorial cleo
tons have always heretofore been preceded by
an exciting canvass. In this respect II in no
other. Tuesdays contest will be unique The
| conditions which make II possible for the Re-
pubicans and nti-Tammany Democrats to
form hearty combination in the city threaten
to produce Indifference in the country. The
ultimate importance OF an election does not
weigh heavily on the mind Of the average voter
He knows. when he is reminded Of 1t. that the
incoming Legislature will name a Senator OF
the United States for the term OF six years and
that thirty-three Congressman are TO be chosen
But that fails to interest him. II a Governor
were 10 be- elected. and IL there were sharp
personal contest over the ONCE he would GER.
tainly vote. As It is. he has not made up his
mind whether he will or not. II will depend on
the weather. and on how he feels.
Mr.. Conkling gives due weight to these con-
siderations and because OF them he regrets
think. the shape which the campaign has as
sumed. He sees how different II would have
been II the Hayesltes had openly proclaimed
| their hostility TO him in the Convention. He
could then have gone before the people in al
aggressive attitude. carrying the war into
Africa. and nghting his way TO victory. as he
often has done before
Mr.. Conkhng's canvass OF the State has beer
thorough and in its way, successful In Al
bany he was greeted ly an immense crowd
which gave the closest attention to every wore
Of his long speech. He was sick the night tina
he was here. and the effort OF speaking take,
his physical resources TO their utmost. 1t II
hardly fur. therefore. 10 judge him by tina
speech. He appeared to be less interested il
what he was saying than his hearers were.
would certainly DO different II the campaign
had taken different turn.
1t is the custom OF the country politicians Il
was a city fashion in Isaiah kynders's day. t
designate their local leaders rs war horses. A
present Mr.. Conkling may be lkened TO a wa
horse-on dress parade. He is expected Il
prance and cayort and neigh to measure,
strains OF music, and all with Sentleness. 1t 4
n pretty sight though not inspiring. But
once the buge blasts of real conflict wer
sounded and the battle charge began. the wa
horse would raise his proud head and trampl
down his foes with force and fury Of whic