The New York herald., 1879-09-11
Blaine and Conkling.

| from the democrats and greenbackers in
the most brilliant manner. He is fortunate
enough to be the undisputed master
of his own party in the State
which has long followed his leader
ship enthusiastically and is now more
devoted to him than ever. Mr. Conk-
| ling had to deal in the first instance with
mutinous spirit among the republicans IN
this State; but he beat this down so thor
oughly at Saratoga that he is now the ac-
knowledged master of the party here, and he
means to carry the State in November.
Both are Senators, and they stand together
at the head of the list of prominent men
from whom the republicans will select their
Presidential candidate next year.
If we were living in the millennium both
gentlemen might run on the same ticket,
either as Blaine and Conkling or as
Conkling and Blaine. But most men are
mortal, and such an arrangement, though
it would be the best for their party, is as
i'm possible as it would be for Mr.. Tllden to
agree to run as second on ticket
with Mr.. Hendricks. Nor is it even
probable that either Of the two republican
statesmen will gallantly resign his claims
and his ambition in favor of his rival.
They are both young enough to wait, but
it is O tedious matter to wait tor Presiden-
tial nomination, and Mr.. Blaine at fifty
and Mr.. Conkling at fifty-one will not
give way if they can help 1.-THE
less as neither has forgotten, it is
49, - ck~ IF <hoi
younger days, and especially a certain ia
nous scolding match in the House of Rep
resentatives. There will, therefore, be
race between these two great republican
chiefs-a race for the nomination which
will be more interesting to impartial OBJ
servers than all the foot races and horse
races of the season.
It must be admitted that Mr.. Blaine has
slightly the start in this race. He has car
ried his State. and in doing SO has not
only united his party there, but has riveted
to himself the numerous friends he has in
several Western States, where his name
has long been favorite republican
war cry. Mr.. Conkling has still to
carry New York, and he has before
him one of the severest struggles
of his life. for to carry New York
is for him to defeat Mr.. Tilden's hopes Of
the Presidency and Mr.. Tilden is as per-
tinacious, as ambitions and as skilled in
political management as Mr.. Conkling.
But if MI. Tilden cannot afford to be beaten
Mr.. Conkling can even less endure defeat,
for he assumed control of his party at
Saratoga against the will of consider
able part of it; on him lies the
responsibility of success; and if the demo-
Gratis should carry the State in November
the anti-Conkling republicans, who now
sullenly follow the Senator'S lead, would
turn upon him and lay him prostrate in a
very ugly political mire.
Mr.. Conkling's supporters say that he
will not be beaten they have long held
that he can carry the State whenever he
really wants to and they have some cause
for this boast. The New York Senator is a
very able and a very peculiar political man
| ager. He does not trust to dash or to
| brilliant onset; he resembles o reg
| ular soldier, commander who re-
lies upon the perfect discipline of
his troops, the steadiness of their fire
| and their implicit obedience to orders,
rather than upon the chances of irregular
or spontaneous operations. It is not an
extravagant saying of his opponents that
Mr.. Conkling is at the head of a ''ma-
chine )" but it is true in precisely the sense
| in which an able commander Of veteran
-, - 1sr n
| machine. Those who know the intensity OF
| the opposition to him in his own party
and the number and quality of the ambi-
| tious hopes which he constantly crushes
saw in the absolute unanimity with which
| he was renominated to the Senate last win
ter, as we'll as in his thorough control more
recently at Saratoga, the perfection to
which he has carried drill, confidence in
his leadership, and obedience to his orders
in the republican party of New York.
Mr.. Blaine's tactics are of different kind.
He is not general of regular troops, but
rather brilliant volunteer commander.
He aims to lead by inspiring his followers
with enthusiasm. Mr.. Conkling seems to
despise enthusiasm. and certainly does not
encourage it. We have on another occasion
likened him to q feudal chief, who requires
unquestioning and instant obedience from
his followers, and guarantees them in return
his powerful protection. He thinks their
applause as superAuous as their advice
he maintains a stern and rigid discipline
| in tho ranks, and shoots deserters as care.
fully as he succors the wounded and dis
abled who are faithful to him.
Mr.. Blaines is o diffSren order of ability
He lives among his followers and likes tc
inspire them with enthusiasm. He enjoys
the strife and all that goes before 1.-THE
camp life of politics, SO to speak; he is no
q closet general, but likes to live in th'
open air among his troops, to be seen ant
cheered by them, to feel and return
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