The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-06-26
CONKLING AND LAMAR.

The scene in the senate chamber be-
tween Conkling and Lamar shows that
the dignity and decorous procedure of
that house is rapidly yielding to the Bit
ter feelings of party spirit. When the
manners of such men as Blaine are toll
Grated, it is only question of time when
their pernicious influence will attain the
standing of an example, to be closely fol-
lowed. Among men as well as among
boys, and among senators as well as
among men in the ordinary walks life,
there is more danger that bullying atti
tudes disregard of courtesy and will be
closely copied, than hope that dignifed
behavior and courtesy in language and
intercourse will prevail. A bully is al
ways loud, insolent and rude. Blaine is
a living exemplifcatlon of these qualities.
His influence has to a great extent I'M
dermined the proprieties prevailing in
the senate before his advent. He has
long ago earned the unenviable distinc-
ton of being devoid of honesty, courtesy
and principle. He has when opportuni-
ty offered, deserved the additional noto-
riety of corrupting by his influence.
Lamar has always had the self poise of
q philosopher, the bearing of gentleman,
and the habits of scholar. Whenever
he speaks upon any subject it is to en-
tighten it. A student and q scholar
argues. but rarely, if ever, quarTels IN
less when peace can only be obtained by
a sacrifice which manhood would never
countenance. Lamar's voice is always
on the side of order, his style of oratory
more argumentative than denunciatory.
He addresses the reason rather than the
preiudices of people, and tries to convince
rather than provoke in the hope that an
ger will give expression to injudicious
sayings. He has proved himself to be
good counsellor, conservative when the
country's good lay in that path, and de,
cided when principle was at stake. BY
his moderation, he has earned the re-
spect even of his enemies, and his deep
learning, scholarly habits and good
sense have taught him to avoid extremes
in every Ing. Such q man finds DO
glory in personal alteration. A bully
is an abomination to him. Every in
stinct of such q man is opposed to quar-
rels and particularly those of personal
nature.
Conkling is vain, supercilious man,
one who measures propriety by the sug-
gestions of vanity. His arrogance will
not brook contradiction and robs him of
that gentlemanly department to which
his ability should conform. Opinions
are treated with lordly disdain if they
fail to accord with his. He has worship
ped Roscoe Conkhng SO long that he
expects the homage of every other per-
son. He has made his own apotheosis,
and minmizes the talents of others
Conkling forgets to be gentleman when
he is crossed, and addresses men as if
they were pigmies, deserving of no re-
spect either in manner or in language.
Opposition to Conkling is certain to be
repaid by insolence and insult. He is a
sort of Don Quixote. His mind has
become diseased by vanity and he fancies
himself feudal lord of the middle ages,
the senate his castle and his fellow men,
bers his retainers. This0s Conkling,
whom the mild Lamar has quarreled
with.
To know aught of these two men ena-
bles one to saddle the fault on the proper
person. 1t is the merest folly to talk
about southern manners and their recog-
| milton of the code. Such language as
Conkling's, such bravado and strut as
Jim Blaine's is far more offensive to
right thinking people, is more serious
| offense against proper conduct, than the
| most stringent devotion to the code.