Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-14
Sensible Advice to Democratic Sena-

NOAEa
In a recent issue of the Boston Post
that sterling Democratic paper INDUCES
in the following sensible remarks:
1T seems to be understood that SEN
ator Conkling is to make war on the
Robertson nomination. In this event he
calculates on Democratic Senators, for
without their aid his opposition would
be fruitless. That he ought not to have.
On general principles the Presidents
nomination should be confirmed unless
there is objection to the nominee that
affects the public service. No such ex-
cuse exists in this case. The matter then
resolves itself into one of policy. 1t is
of first importance for the Democratic
party to break the power which Mr.
Conkling wields in the great and pivotal
State of New York. To connive at the
rejection of Robertson on the score OF
professional friendship would be a great
blunder on the part of any Democrat.
The Democrats in the Senate occupy IN
this matter a trusteeship for the benefit
of their party. They owe nothing but
opposition to Conkling's wishes. He
has never done anything for them or
their party. but is the most dangerous
foe in the field"
The above is exactly in accord with
the sentiments expressed in these
columns when the war between the stall
wart faction of the Republican party
under Conkling, and the more conserva-
tive element of that party under Gar
field, was first spoken of. Conkling is
undoubtedly the great head centre of his
party in New York, and with the pre-
sent nearly equal division of par.
ties in the country, the vote of
New York State is well nigh
decisive in a Presidential contest. 1t
is, for this reason, the main object for
which both parties strive, and, a. a mat
ter of policy, Democrats should, above
all things, seek to break the strength of
the New York Senator in his State.
Should lie persist in his contest with the
President-and he must so persist, since
to surrender now would be almost as
hurtful to him as defeat-the Democratic
Senators should, by all means, be found
on the side of Garfield, for a defeat of
the latter would tend to strengthen Conk-
ling vastly in the Presidential contest of
1884. and, in all probability, enable him
to dictate the Republican Presidential
nomination at that time.
Apart from this, however, what posi-
bic claim has Conkling upon the Democ-
racy? When Mr.. Garfield was in Con-
gress he fought against the Democratic
party vigorously, it is true; but he did
so as a Republican Congressman, always
recognizing the obligations of courtesy,
and combining himself strictly to properly
representing his constituents. Besides
this, he has, since his election, given on
various occasions, and more espe-
cially III this matter of Robert
sons nomination, unmistakable evidence
hat he strongly sympathizes with the
more conservative element of his party.
Conkling. on the other hand, has not
OuA1 AnfdAAdDAJ dlbCLuplCO III tuO OCudtC
to bully, browbeat .and treat with inso-
lent arrogance his political opponents
but he has ever sympathized with the
most ultra Radicals. More than this, he
has gone outside his way to villify the
Democratic party, and denounce them in
the bitterest terms that his vocabulary of
abuse could furnish. Specially has he
deemed it his duty to SANDER and mis-
represent the South, and stir up sectional
hate against US.
1t is very evident that Conkling is
relying upon Democratic support to
carry his point in the matter of this
Robertson nomination. We hope he
may be disappointed. Democratic Sena-
tors owe it to their own self-respect as
well as to their party and constituents to
do ali in their power against the hero of
Canonchet, and therefore in this an
ticipated contest between the admins
tration and himself to cast their votes
sOlidly in favor of the President.