Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-02-17
lanrastcr E,,tci;:Gsncer.
THURSDAY EVENING. FEB. II, 1881.
A Hollow I'ruce.

to be one of Senator Conkling's personal
organs, confirms the rumor that he has
visited Garfield at Mentor, having been
invited to do so, it says, 6 in cordial
terms.'' 1t thinks that "nO one who
knows General Garfield requires any
statement that he has not extended such
an invitation with frank and
earnest desire to establish re-
lation just to himself, honorable to
Mr.. Conkling, and advantageous to the
party" 1t believes that 8 because lie
ought to represent and unite all ele
ments Of the party, he should recognize
the claims and secure the support of that
powerful section of which Senator Conk-
ling is the admitted leader" 1t further
announces that Mr.. Blaine, the
chosen premier, fully concurs in this
policy" and therefore concludes that
the prospect of the union of all inter-
ests under Il successful administration
is auspicious.''
From its relations to one Of the par
ties 10 the tripar:ite convention thus
told of bel ween Garfield. Blaine and
COHkiiny, we must conclude that it has
a substantial existence, although it may
not be rs firmly established as indicated.
It is quite contrary to public expectation
that the elements ia the Republican
party which are so intensely hostile tow
ards one another will be made to lie
down in peace even under the enchant-
ing rod Of the president and the inllu-
ence of his rewards. But it is evident
that Mr.. Conk!in", in the realization of
the advantages which will be scored by his
adversaries in controlling the presiden-
tial ear, has gpt down from the
high horse which he cnstomariiy
mounts, and has l"cn induced by
the w::iling of his friends to bend the
very stiff joints of his knee thai thrift
might follow. The Press thinks that
s. no one who knows Mr.. Conkling needs
to he assured that he did not go to Men
tor except in response 70 ;in invitation -
and none who know him, either, have any
doubt that his political adherentS found
it TO i" the greatest effort OF their
lives to get him to go, and that nothing
would have induced him but dire neces-
sity. lie is supposed, we believe, to
claim the promotion of Congressman
Morton, of New York, to the treasury:
and this, we are given to understand. is
conceded to him as the price of Ills sup
port. 1t will bc observed with interest that
the Pres" declares that the support of the
"pOwerful ScctiOn,' OF which :" Senator
COnkling is the admitted leader" is only
to he had by recognizing ''its claims"
In other words, this section of the Re
publican party dces not propose 20 sup
port Mr.. Garfield because he is a Re-
publican president, unless l:e likewise
gives il Il fair share of the public patron
age. That is q frank confession of what
is no doubt the truth; and the aim OF
Mr.. ConklinyS conversation with Mr..
Garfield at Mentor was to impress upon
him this solid fact. His presentation of
it seems to have been effective.
Looked at in the proper light, this in
terview between these two men reflects
great discre.lit upon both. Why should
Mr.. Garfield invite Mr.. Conkling to con-
fer with him as to how he should make
up his cabinet and where did Mr..
Conkling acquire a right to dictate to
him concerning it ? This is Il strange
situation for a president to find himself
in. and one that but recently known to lie
forced upon the man elevated to that
high office. In the days when strong
men were chosen to it they We're not
thus threatened by opposing factions
and compelled to brihe them to secure q
united party. II is Il scalrIalous thing
that it should now be done. The presi-
dent being alone responsible to the coun::
try for his administration should he
absolutely free tn select his cabinet. and
should have manhood and force enough
within himself to t'ci it without dictation.
or such sort of consultation as that with
COnkling amounted to. That. briefly
stated consisted in an inquiry on the one
side us to the terms upon which sup:ort
would he sold and (, statement of them
on the other.
With Il cabinet thus bargaineI, FOX Mr.
Garfield may patch up;l truce between
his !elligerent supporters, but no pernl;l-
nent peace. His submission to dctation
shows the weakness of character which
will be totally unable to command the
discordant elements of his party. His
command will not be Peace he still -
and his administration will be as dis
turbed as is the household i'm which the
weak parent seeks to Erihc his unruly
family to cease from contention.