National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-16
President and Senator.

LIS DICbCliu w
believe that Senator Conkling is great
hunter of places for his friends. This is
untrue and absurd. He never entered
the White House during the term of Mr..
Hayes. He has not at any time pre-
ferred single request to General Garfield
concerning any appointment whatever.
He went to Mentor at the latter's desire !;
gave his opinions when asked, and made
no request. He claimed no right to
name any Cabinet officer, and never COM
planned because no oappointmentwas made
which could be construed into a special
desire to crafty him. He agreed with
General Garfield that no portion of the
party in New York ought to be forgotten
or neglected. 1t was the Presidents
request that the Vice-President and
the two New York Senators should
suggest the best solution of the
difficulty of disposing cf these matters.
1t was his own offer, repeatedly made,
that no change should be made which was
not agreeable to them. 1t was
because of these facts that the
nomination of Robertson without
notice seemed a departure from
the understanding never sought by Conk-
ling, but kindly proffered by the Presi-
dent. Up to the day of Robertson's
nomination all seemed pleasant sailing,
and it was that wholly unexpected act,
and the explanations of it which have
been given by the Presidents most Of
ficious friends, which have destroyed
good feeling. The offices are of small
consequence. Mr.. Conkling has never
been a patronage seeker. Because he
would not sit tamely by and see Gen
eral Arthur and Governor Cornell SUM-
marily turned out of Office in 1878
without cause the smaller insects
of the press have buzzed incessantly
ever since that he is always trying to
get places for his friends. He is strong
in the hearts of the masses of the Repub-
icans of the State of New York, and they
will not be told to whom they shall
listen nor for whom they shall reserve
their voice for highest honors. If
the Senate should advise and consent
to the appointment of a collector for New
York, chosen because of his known per-
sonal hostility to Mr.. Conkling, and if
the word should thus go out that in eX-
change for patronage in other States the
patronage in New York is to be made to
feed a Second-term machine there it would
injure only those engaged in it. If the
President could only realize that the New
York Republicans will, in the nature of
things, feel called upon to rebuke the at
tempt to surround and capture them with
q bread and butter brigade, he would
surely avoid the issue. Suppose the next
State convention in New York shall
place Chester \. Arthur in the chair,
and Senator Conkling shall speak in ex-
PLANTATION of the platform then presented,
with whom will the popular sympathy
run? VIII it be with a powerful Presi-
dent, who sought to degrade and destroy
an honored and faithful Senator, or will
it be with that Senator, a great party
leader, for whom all the world has
respect and admiration? Fair play
is a jewel, and the American people like
that style of jewelry. This Robertson
business is not regarded as fair play to-
ward the New Workers by any friend of
the administration. 1t is loudly ap-
plauded by Anticipated men, who think
the way to win is to tear down the party.
But We do not believe the President
could be induced to do it over again, if
it were now undone. Is there not moral
courage enough at the White House to
correct wrong? 1t is the noblest exer-
else of will to compel ourselves to do right
all the world. 1t is the smallest
of weakness when we adhere to
a false position because of fear of what
men will say. IF Senators refuse to par
ticipate in this great mistake, the Presi-
dent will thank them for it in the near
future. No true friend of the administra-
ton or of the party ought to vote for
confirmation.