The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-07-07

now the shooting occurred; but he
did not fire the shots Intentionally.
lCincinnati Gazette.l
The New York Quarrel not an Ohio Case.
& The Republicans in Ohio, in con-
yention assembled, concluded, with
reference to the disagreement at AL
bany, to keep their hands off. This
was undoubtedly the part of wisdom.
The party could unanimously agree
that the occurrence is greatly regret
ted, and they are very near if not
quite unanimous that Conkling and
Platt made a mistake in resigning,
and an overwhelming majority be-
lieve it would, under the circum-
stances, be bad policy to re-elect
them; but it was deemed best, as a
party, to give no expressions on the
subject, and leave it to those immedi-
ately concerned, and especially to the
Republicans Of New York to fight it
out. The question could not be in
troduced into Ohio politics without
creating division in the party, and
alternating the votes, the loss Of which
can not be afforded. AS it stands
every Republican is entitled to his
own opinions, and can entertain and
express them as he pleases. It is not
party question here, and no one has
a right to drag it in as such. The
Gazette has taken occasion to condemn
the course of Messrs. Conzling and
Platt in resigning their seats in the
Senate. and if we had a vote in New
! or} we certainly should not cast it
for their reelection. We have also
diSapproved of the assumption of Mr..
Conkling to control the action of the
Senate in passing on nominations, on
the score of courtesy. lf that were
admitted, two Senators would abso-
lutely control all appointments made
from a State, and on personal grounds.
The true function of the Senate is to
sit as bench of Judges and decide
upon the qualifications of persons
nominated by the President. They
could not conscientiously discharge
that duty if influenced by the personal
appeals of two Senators made upon
purely personal grounds, as was un-
doubtedly done in this case. Robert
son in himself was a fit person to fill
the Office of Collector He was not
objected to by Mr.. Conkling except on
the ground that he was personally
offensive to him. This was matter
to be settled between Mr.. Conkling
and the President, and neither had a
right to jeopardize the interests of
their party in adjusting their differ
ences. Mr.. Conkling had a right to
be offended, but why should his indi-
vidual case be made party question?
lf there is any principle involved, it is
one of spoils, and that does not rise
high in public estimation. Gen.
Grant takes the ground that Mr..
Conkling is right, because he con-
tributed largely to the election of the
President. But was it not to the sue
cess Of the party rather than the per-
sonal triumph Of Garfield that Mr..
Conkling and Gen. Grant contributed? !?
Why, therefore, now that he has been
offended by Mr.. Conkling or Gen.
Grant aim deadly blow at the party?
Is their party attachment no deeper
than an office? 1t is probable that
Juliet OtudGOIS nave Ueeu DIS ue6ply
offended as Mr.. Conkling in the way
of appointments, but he is the only
one who has sought to make his case
a party grievance Perhaps the Pres
ident might have avoided this trouble;
but it is true that but for Mr.. Conk-
ling's self-importance it would not
have occurred. Had he been one
tenth as anxious to avoid trouble for
the sake of the party as the President
was to please him for the sake of the
party, there would unquestionably
have been no outbreak.
But as the matter stands, it is not a
party question in Ohio, and Repubii-
cans can support the party without
surrendering their individual opinions
on the subject. For our part we be
lieve the President made a mistake,
but his greatest error, and that which
made the rest possible. antedates the
New York appointments. This, too,
it is our observation, is very generally
the opinion Of leading Republicans in
Ohio and throughout the country.
But the President is human. The
party lives and deserves support, re-
gardless of the mistakes of its instru-
ments.