American citizen., 1881-10-22

threw himself INTO the battle between
the half-breeds and the stalwarts, and
in manner took command of the war
upon the new Administration. During
the long illness of the President Gen
eral Arthur withdrew with great pro-
priety and delicacy from this prominent
position of hostility, but the stalwarts
never for moment relaxed their efforts
to retain possession of the Republican
organization in New York and IN Penn
sylvania, with n view to controlling the
Republican conventions in both States.
There is not much sympathy or senti-
ment as a rule in faction fights where
the spoils of Office are involved. The
struggle which the death of President
Garfield has only suspended in the Re-
publican party is a struggle for SUI
premacy in the Republican National
Convention of 1881. Whether MIR.
Conkling will seek or accept an Execu-
tive appointment under President Ar
thur remains to be seen. But it may
as well be understood that his course
in this matter will be decided by his
own judgment as to what will most pro-
mote triumph OF the 1906 in 1884.
That the stalwarts will now control the
New York Republican Slate Conven-
ton can scarcely be doubted. A Sena-
in the natural order OF events in 1885.
Mr.. Conkling may elect to do battle
either for the Senate in that year or
for the Presidency in 1884, and wheth-,
er he will accept Cabinet place under
President Arthur will depend. as we
have reason to believe, on his deliber-
ate estimate of the political outlook
for the intervening period. At this
moment Mr.. CoEkiing is undoubtedly
detested by a great ma joritv of his own
party. In the West the Ohio Republic
ans have not scrupled to couple his
name with that of Guiteau, So savage
is faction. and in the East his resigna-
ton of his seat in the Senate has
caused him to be likened to Jefferson
Davis and Mr.. SlidelI. Mr.. Conkling
lis man of courage and ability, who
can look facts in the face, and he may
deem it wiser on all accounts to keep
in the background for while
and work from behind the throne
which he has reared. But that he
means to be felt in the new Administra-
ton, and that he will work with it or
through it with the same fearless loyalt
to the interests of General Grant and the
"306" of Chicago which commanded
the admiration there even of his oppo-
nents, cannot be doubted by any man
of sense. As little can it be doubted by
any man of sense that President Arthur
will keep his faith with those who
fought with him for General Grant at
Chicago, and that he will make no
terms with any recreant stalwarts who
skulked or hid during the struggle at
Albany. 1t does not follow that he will
leopard the public interests by break
ing with the Secretary of State, for ex-
ample, who has won so strong a hold
on the public confidence and respect by
his bearing during the long illness of
President Garfield Mr.. Blaine to-day
is undoubtedly the strongest Republic
IAN leader in the country, and the most
ordinary consideration of the interests
of the people requires the new Presi-
dent to make no sudden changes in the
Cabinet, especially of Il sort which can
be attributed to personal feeling or fac
tious passion on his part. But, clearly,
the main body of the Republican
half-breeds must expect to take those
back seats in the party to which Presi-
dent Garfield invited the friends of
Arthur, Grant and Conkling. Sooner
or latter fidelity to the iIag of the ''3U6"
must become the test of Republican
loyalty. Halfbreed politicians and
journalists who during the struggle at
Albany said bitter offensive and de-
grading things of Arthur. Conkling
and Grant must expect to see those
things rise up in Judgment against
them. Meanwhile the people may be
thankful that the outlook ofthe country
is so tranquil at home and abroad. That
the happiness and the welfare of the
people of this land depend chiefly on
the thirty-eight governments of the
several States is a lesson of incalculable
value which, since the second day of
last July, every man and woman in the
United States has had good reason to
lcarn,-N T. World.