Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-12
CnnkIine an C0nnfrT.

was bat the exercise of the plain right Of
the Democrats in the Senate-a right
conceded by elear-headed Republican
editors-is, undoubtedly, disgusting to
the ''higher law" element Of the Repub-
lican party, who are won't 10 override
any obstacle that stands in their way.
The half breeds, while also disguised,
no doubt feel a delightful sense Of
satisfaction in the reflection that the
stupid farce played by Conkling and
Me Too" has ended SO miserably. The
fact that the party has been woIsted for
once in the game it has played with such
daring so long, cannot but injure its
morale, and the necessity for harmony
thus becomes the greater.
Will the wings so bent on opposite
purposes come together and fuse on
common policy? VIII Garfeld's exam
pie survive, and will leader Of the wing
that followed his fortunes rise up pow
erful enough to supplement with his
efforts those that President Arthur may
make to meet what appears to be the
demands of the people? Is there enough
of patriotism in the Republican party TO
dictate broad and national administra-
tionY These are questions that time
alone can answer fully.
Experience, expediency and love Of
plumber would seem to argue in favor
Of a healing of differences. But to such
= contamination there are obstacles that
will be hard to remove. The recent
New York convention is held up as a
truce, when to the close observer it ap-
pears simply an armistice TO end in pos
sible peace or a renewal of the war on
due notice given. President Arthur
cannot afford to spare any effort that
viii enable him to prevent Democratic
victory in New York. Its loss to his
party would be a practical vote OF want
of confidence from what is in fact the
pivotal State of the Union. But he is
handicapped by Mr.. Conkling.
Mr.. COnkling cannot close his books
and retire from business. He must
either get desirable situation or set up
again for himself. In either event he
has the odium Of his former failure,
which would cause him to be suspected
in a position of prominence, and to be
Stunned in his individual pursuit OF
reward Conkling or country is the
choice before President Arthur. If he
takes the latter he will be sore set to
balance the spoils between the formers
followers and foes, and, if he rejects
him he will be considered a
silent partner after all
The same New York. Convention
affords a partial answer to another of
our questions. The weight of opinion in
it was square Endorsement of Garfeld's
programme, so far as understood, though
the main cause of this attitude was, IN
doubleday, hatred of Conklipg New
York, for the present at least, may be
taken as reflex of the opinion of the
party at large, though the devotion of
he factions to their leaders diminishes
with remOteness from the centre Of dis
turbance.
No leader of The half.breeds is likely
70 rise up at present Mr.. Blaine is per
haps the only man capable of the task,
and he has a future which ne will be
slow to jeopardize and quick to guard.
The Republican party has been swayed
SO long by money and plumber that
higher aims for it are hardly to be hoped
for. True. President Garfield was lead
ing it to higher things, but his stoutest
ally was his patronage. President
Arthur, amid the awe of the capitol,
where the dead leader lay in his coffin,
intimated his purpose to emulate his
example The task is yet before him.
If he fails in it, his party suffers; if he
succeeds, he will be greater IN execution
than his predecessor.
He stands to-day like Perry on Lake
Erie. He must leave his ship and board
another. He thus can see hope of saw
ing the entire armament Will his old
crew go with him, or will they nail their
colors to the mast and 60 down with the
craft? They cannot be spared. Every
nan is needed. What will they choose?