Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-25
THE TALL SYCAMORE.
Senator Voorhees, on Garfield and
Arthur Possibilities.
His Views ON The Condition and
Prospects of The Demo-
cratic Party.

6ApIbS lis UplulOu dDOub ahJNAAue
upon which he considered himself
entitled to talk. He was just reading
the morning papers in regard to Presi'
dents Gar6eld's condition, about
which he expressed the utmost in
terest.
IL am distressed to death" said he.
l see that the Presidents condition to-
day is very unfaVorable, and | think
that this is a cause for universal
sorrow and distress. | look upon
Garfeld's death as a most unmitigated
mifortune, a calamity to himself, his
family and to the country generally.
| do not mention the misfortune to
his party, because any misfortune to
the Republicans would be a blessing
to the country. The circumstances
that must follow his death would be
deplorable, and it must be a source OF
grief and pain to any man who con
templates them to see hat n weak
and almost exhausted life is all that
can forestall them.
You do not look forward to
Arthur's Presidency with much hope.
fulness?" he was aked.
NO, indeed, l do not. l regard il
with great distrust, aud / hope that
no such misfortune will occur. 1t
would be most unfortunate for the
the country generally"
I'm what wayY'
"Well, l hardly care to discuss this
matter. | have spoken a great deal
about it and | am still of the same
mind. In the first place | know that
Arthur is a man utterly incapable Of
fulfilling the duties Of the Office prop
erly. In the second place l know that
he is in the hands of a faction who
will do all in their power to control
him and swerve him toward their ends
and purposes. Third, | know that he
is a man that could be controlled with
out difficulty"
You look upon his Presidency
then as a national MISFORTUNE
ooh, it would be very bad, very
bad. l hope it may be ayerted. We
cannot afford to have Conkling at the
head of affairs, which would be what
it would amount to. Mr.. Arthur is
not the mar for fireplace. His friends,
who will become his advisers, are not
the proper men to control this nation.
The result would be d~eplorable."
What about Conkling's future"
"If Uonkling will begin to have
some common sense and act upon its
dictates, there is no reason why he
should be retired from public life.
He is possessed with an overweening
opinion of his own Importance, and
until he learns to drop this he will not
be successful. His late lesson does
not seem to benefit him, and his prob
able chance to control affairs growing
out Of this dastardly crime is to be de-
plOred under the circumstances.
DO you share the opinion that the
chances of the Democratic party for
success in the national election are
about over?"
Indeed | do not. | never thought
so. The last election was lost by US
by an unfortunate blunder in Indiana
and a still more unfortunate blunder
in New York. . l do not think these
things will occur again, and it is mani
fest that the Republicans are now as
badly split as the Democratic party
ever vas
Would not Authur's Presidency
heal this little rupture2'
mo. 1t would only intensity it. 1t
would widen the breech to such an
extent that Republican success would
be absolutely impossible three years
from now. This opening is predicted
on the s%upposition that the present
tactics would be pursued and the poll
cy now outlined would be carried
out"
Then you are hopeful of national
success for the Democrats in 1882"
II am, very much so. There is no
reason for Encouragement. The Re-
publicans beat us last time because We
we're divided, and now they are much
more off in this respect than we are,
and they show few signs, or none at
all, of lettering their condition"
Who will be the probable candidate
next time? Will it be Hancock2n
There is considerable prob lity
that it will. The indications seem to
point that way, and it is certain that
he will be well received. He made a
first class race, and will do so again.
will Indiana be On the right side
next timer"
1T will. | am positive of that. Our
unfortunate mistake will not be re
peated."
How about the Vice Presidency
well, Indiana does not want it
again. We did not want it last time
but it was forced upon us"
How about YOURSELF"
"0h, ! am not Presidential timber
replied the Senator, with a slight
smile, Il have four years in the Sen.
ate still, and | am satisfied with it. II
is hard to say who will be the tail OIL
the ticket, put Indiana does not want
the honor"
How are politics in indiana al
present."
VERY quiet. In fact, there is moth
ing doing, We have had no elections
lately, and there is no excitement OF
no way Of indicating the public senti
ment. The absorbing topic at present
is the crops, and they are in a deplor.
able condition. AS | came along il
my journey | noticed particularly thai
, the cOrnfelds were all burned I'D
The rich fields about indianapolis anC
along the line will scarcely ayerag,
, five bushels to the acre. Then thes,
? sharks at Chicago are making grair
4 lonrnawo and e,rotuU -. 1n -