Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-05-20
Azilp &snnebee 5ournzI.
Augusta, Friday Morning. Nay 90
Honor To President Garfield.

For the firm stand which President Gar
field maintained in regard TO the case ofMr.
Robertson he is entitled to the thanks Of
all good citizens. The struggle which he
made was not for party but for principle.
In nominating Robertson he was actuated
by the desire to recognise the merit Of one
Of the most conspicuous opponents Of the
unit rule, as well as to pat in the place OF
Collector Of New York a man OF high
character and acknowledged fitness for
the position. In contending against the
unit rule Robertson fought against the one
man power in our politics. and for the
liberty and independence OF the common
people. If Conklng had succeeded in
gaining his ends at the Chicago conven-
ton it would have been triumph Of the
few against the many. the Bosses over the
people, the selfish intriguers over the
honest instincts and purposes Of men who
would yield their lives in defence Of pop
ular rights if necessary. The bold stand
which Robertson and his colleagues in
New York took in favor of the right OF
district delegates To vote as they saw fit
in the national convention, or as the dis
tricts conventions instructed them, did as
much as anything or anybody To defeat the
purpose of the triumvirate of Sena-
tors, of whom Mr.. Conkling vas
chief, to nominate General Grant 1t was
their struggle in wrenching from
Roscoe Conkliug the power to cast the
vote Of the State of New York as unit
in the Chicago convention which turned
the scale in favor of popular rights. and
made possible the nomination for the
President of the United States
Of Gen. Garfield, man Of humble origin
and with warm sympathies for the com
mon people.
The nomination of Robertson therefore
was the outcome of the struggle which
took place before and at the Chicago con-
vention for the right of district represen-
tation. which included the rights Of the
people as against party Bosses. 1t was
the Presidents acknowledgment of the
Importance and truth of the principle
which was ut the root of that contest-a
principle rs dear to any freeman as his
life. For this all thanks to President Gar
field. In recognizing this principle in his
administration he has done wisely and well
and the people will honor him for it.
Still farther does the President deserve
to be honorcd for the iron firmness with
which he withstood the attempt of Conk-
ling to force him to Withdraw the NOM
inatiOn of Robertson. Every device
which his antagonist could employ
against the President was used. Con-
firmation was delayed on various pretexts
Senators were importuned to stand bv
Conkling against the President on the
ground Of Senatorial courtesy" The
President was attacked in the most maiy-
nant manner in the columns of news
papers under tho control of Conkling and
his adherents. Delegations were sent to
him to cajole or alarm him into surrender.
But the President was immovable as gran
lite. lie asked no Senator to vote in favor
OF Robertson, he only asked that the Sem
ate should do its plain duty and either
confirm or reject the nominate n which he
had made. The result is Conkling's dis
eomfiture and resignation OF his seat in
the Senate. and Robertson's confirmation.
Thanks to the President the right has
prevailed. He has proved that we have
President. and that he can be trusted in
an emergency to act with wisdom and
.Jacksonian pluck and iirmness. All
honor to him for the good fight he has
made and the victory he has won.
The New Age stopped its press