The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-18
CONKLING ON CRANE

| WASHINGTON, Jan. lit is perhaps natu-
raj that Senator Conking should DO ono OF tho
| main props OF the movement to make Grant tho
| candidate for third term. If he himself should
not be in n condition TO expect nomination ut
the hands Of the Convention next year, MS now
seems quite probable. Tho relations between
them were OF the closest confidence and of the
most cordial friendship. especially during the
second term OF Grantism. which far exceeded
in cnormitics those Of the first
There was no honor i'm the gift OF his Admin
| istraion which Grant was not willing md anX-
ious to confer on the Senator. no offered to
make him Chief Justice. when the appointment
was conferred on tho present incumbent. who
had never tried case in the Supreme Court ut
| the time he received this unexpected compli-
mont. and who intellectually considered bears
no comparison with Mr.. Conkling. And tho
| comparison might we'll be extended in n pro-
fessional sense. with like advantage to tho latter
Although tho technical runk OF Ambassador
| does not exist under our laws. 1t is authorized
by the Constitution In tho clause relating to the
President. which says He shall nominate. and
| by and with tho advice and consent Of the Sen
nte. shall appoint Ambassadors. other public
Ministers and Consuls." BY way Of empha-
sizing his regard. he proposed to mako de-
parturo in diplomacy for Mr.. Conking.. by
nominating him as Ambassador to Great
Britain. Having declined ifc appointment
on the Supreme Court II did not require much
solf-sacriice to refuse this place. which could
have conferred no real distinction on the Scna-
tor. and would havo invited harsh criticism
from its exceptional pretension.
No man, in or out Of the Cabinet. stood nearer
to tho unqualified trust Of Grant than Conkling
did while he was President. or docs now when
ne Is seeking to break down tho honored trad-
tions which the fathers established in m abso-
lutte limit Of two terms and which no President
from Washington to Grant ever sought to cx-
coed.
II personal considerations alone wcro TO DO
consulted in connection with n grcut public re-
sponsbility. Mr.. Conkling's dcvotio TO Grants
ambition might be justified. But this third
term proposition carries with II the purpose II
restoration Of Grantism. n return to the past.
and revival Of all the Rings and corrupt in
lucnccs by which tho country was disgraccd
and the Treasury was robbed Of hundreds OF
millions Secor Bohcson. Londaulct williams.
Doss Shepherd. Bolknnp. Babcock Zach Chan
der the whole tribe Of elected carpet -haggcrs.
tho solid South" Of Republican iobbcrs and
rotten ofliceholdcrs. the desperate spectators
and schomcrs in annexation and war. crowds Of
thieylng contractors, Indian agents who stole
annutics and supplies and that vast multitude
OF hangcrs-on who prowl about the public de-
partmcnts seeking ptoyend. are all loud for
Grant John A. Logan is now running as a
candidate for the Senate from Illinois on the
platform Of q third term. backed 10y the old
Whisky Ring. which he didso much to sustain
WHOM q Senator before.
This 10 the sort OF company in which Sena-
tor from the great state Of New York ought not
TO DO found. and this is not tho business in
which he ought to be- engaged. A tlird term OF
the very best President would be most dan
gcrous precedent 20 inaugurate. but third
term Of Grantism. with all It's grossness. venal-
- and fragrant violations OF law. would plunge
the country into q condition Of chaos from
which recovery would be difficult.