Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-28

mob. that such a crown of victory had been
presented him in his presidential campaign
bv this grateful state, land" said Mr.. Conk-
ling, "if the occasion should. ever come
when Gen. Grant should again be subject
for honor, it will be again seen that New
York will never forget his services" This
%.llusion to Grant attracted unusual atten-
ion, but this point was not pursued. The
described how the corrupt and vi
,ious elements in New York City always
,ad been able to negative the vote of the
tate, however great the majority there, and
then asked whether the thugs and thieves
If New York City should be allowed to run
riot upon election day. He did not under
stand all the heat and turmoil that had been
raised over this question. 1t was a mere
continuance to carry party ends.
"Has," asked Mr.. Conkling, sarcastically,
"the present administration been extrava-
gantly MISUNDERSTANDING lin en-
forcing those obnoxious laws which the
democrats had themselves been instrument
tai in passing? 2" The sarcastic alluslon
was one of Conkling's happiest hits. He
then passed 10 a felicitous description of the
democratic predicanent and the certainty
that they would fail in their attempt to
coerce the executive and be forced to re-
cede from their monstrous propositions.
MIR. Conkling thought the country was not
quite ready to pass over its entire affairs to
the men who had so recently tried to ruin it,
and who represent really such a small pro-
portion of its material interests. He thought
the place for the south was not quite so far
in the foreground. He was not an advo-
cate of the doctrine of sentiment and gush.
Here he gave an amusing description of the
Philadelphia convention Of 1867, when
members from the north and south locked
arms and gushed. Just before this episode
Gen. Sherman csme into the senate cham.
Der and took a seat offered him by Judge
Davis, the latter going TO . chair by the
official reporters table. Conkling turned
to Sherman and said: Gen. Sherman,
who was present at this convention, warn.
ed those present not to make fools of them
selves"
Mr.. Conkling deprecated any such means
for the building up of any unity of senti-
ment. Here he came out in the centre aisle
and talked such blunt common sense to the
southern side that the members flushed and
paled at times at the truths thrust upon
them. There was room for them all at the
national table, but they must not expect that
wherever they sat must be its head. They
must learn something besides politics. $50
to work." said he, "plant, SOW, build, make
your country the equal of other sections be-
fore you come to us talking of ruling in the
government counsels." This chapter was
the best and most u~nanswerable portion Of
his speech. Its climax, where he adjured
them to disband their rifle clubs, their white
to dismount their nightriders and
to show the regard for life and liberty Of a
person that is shown in other portions of
The country, was magnificent in its eloquent
He asked what reason the south
had to complain of the north ever dragging
in the war issue. Out of the ninety three
representatives from the eleven states that
entered the rehsllion. eighty-tiye served in
the confederate army, while three others
held high civil positions. In the senate
there were only four minor federal officers,
and in the house but fifty out Of a represent
tation of about two hundred. Who, then,
was mainly responsible for keeping the war
active in politics. This was one of Conk-
ling's most triumphant climaxes. But most
keen of all was where he showed that the
south was at the bottom of ali the pending
legislation. First, it was clear that, with
an honest election, the country was over
whelmingly republican, and therefore a
democratic victory could be secured only
by breaking down the safeguards about the
ballot box. Now this pending legislation
was ruled by the caucus. There were forty.
two democratic senators without counting
Judge Davis-[laughter]- who 60 into the
caucus. T~wenty-three senators, the represen.
%tatives Of the eleven seeding states, were a
majority in its caucus, and controlled its &C.
ton. Senator Morgan, Of Alabama, had very
wisely declined to go ahead in this debate,
stating that he Preferred northern senators
to precede Kim. This presentation of the
tail and the burial of the head in the sand
deceived no n but merely betrayed the
species Of the bird. Loud and prolonged
laughter. 1t was not through cruelty tina
the northern men were deployed in the ad
vance, but only as mere patty tactics.
Mr.. Conkling paid his respects to Judg,
Davis in a very funny way, which tn,
Judge received in the most good-humoret
fashion. He advanced toward Judge Davi
and begged him not to be angry with wha
he was going to say, as he esteemed ant
respected Judge Davis character in tn,
highest degree. This prelude concentrated
attention upon the Judge, who sat quietl,
facing the senate and galleries. MI. Conk
ling then said that Judge Davis speech tn
other day reminded him Of an improved
copious, ever-aowing stream of soothing
syrup, superior ' to Mrs. Winslow'f
daughter. The Judge believed every
thing was quiet in the south. Such fait
there was not in Israel. [Laughter.]
Then Conkling asked if the learned judg
had read the petition from St. Louis cor
corning the negro exodus, and cited tn
literature of southern outrages at the juda
until the republicans had nearly CRIME
their heads of with delight. Then Conl
ling passed to VOORHEES, and his terribl
pictures Of the election supervisors, one dc
mocrat and one republican, who were char
observing "the old and young" y they ca,
their ballots, to see that they were not d,
fiaaded Of their rights, and no (Nr. Conl
ling) had no doubt but, after the ftful feve
Of this election day, whea the end came III