New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-17

Conkiines craftsmanship. what great meas
ure of public policy" asked the public " mas
this eminent statesman ever been either
"tke father Of or conspicuously identified
with" The question went unanswered,
axcept "a the ex-SenatOr's next friend
ex Senator Eaton. of Connecticut answered It,
when pushed, by saying that though Mr. Conk-
ling himself had never been the father OF
great public measure, he had done what was,
in Mr.. Eaton's opinion, the very next thing TO
II. He had favored a great public measure OF
which Mr. Eaton happened TO be the father.
Giving Mr. Conkling all the credit that belongs
~ his snpport of the Eaton bill revising
tariff commission-and we do not remember
that he was especially prominent in that great
movement--the public still refuses 10 recognize
thc claim of Mr.. Conking and his friends that
his craftsmanship is OF such uncommon pro-
portions "a to entiile him TO lay down the ao-
solute law for his party or the country.
Nor il there any more willingness to accept
unsupported by testimony or proof the asser-
ton that he is great political leader. 1t isad-
1nitted that by availing himself oil the peculiar
conditions that surrounded the administration oI
President Grant he did 80 fortify himself IN the
most important State iii the Unlon-and state
politically doubtful-that he was able TO dlc-
tate terms To n certain extent to a party
already weakened 10y the course OF ms iaNonte
administration, and made tmorous 10y It's weak
ness Was that great leadership Or WAS 1t small
politics ? Having gained that power no" dld
he use it3 Holding il, or seeming to hold H.
in his hand. he offered to his party the
alternative of submitting To his dctatlon or
taking the risk of defeat through his trcachcry
OF supineness These are plain words, hut
they tell the cold truth. No other CONSTRUCTION
can be placed upon his conduct When 80
mnch is made of a man because he remained
loyal to his party and did his simple duty
there ls a meaning in il that lies much deeper
than the superficial tribute 10 his nitu-
ence it means that trcachery was pos
sible to him, and that men who THINK
him enable of il are grateful 10 nm
because he did not work his own rum To re-
Acuge himself on them. II is not because MI
Conkling led his party TO yictory by depoaiIng
a silent vote in 1876 or making two 81 three
speeches III 1850. that he is called the great
leader and savior Of the party. 1t is because
be did not after all bctray his party III 1870
or revolt in lssO Docs that give leader
s1ch prominence as to entitle him 10 be the
party die tor
What qualities Of leadership dill he show
from lsGs to 1876, whom hy saturatlng the
Administration Of which ne was the favouto
with his personal anmo,itics, and PURSUING
with impacablc hostility all who opposed
him. he divided his party and brought 1t to
the verge OF ruin What in tho yran-
nous use of power 10y which he under
took to foist the third-fcrm scheme upon
the party7 What in his refusal 10 meet
half way. OF upon any terms, the he
puhlcans who. for the sake Of party har-
monv and surrc-s. laid aside their projudiccs
and hy unanimous vote returned him 20 the
senate What IN his making war upon an
Administration that tried to harmonic diiicr-
,nccs by treating both sides fairly 7 What IA
his constant auarr'ls with his party associates
What in his resignation; in h.s appeal Tor
vindicatinn; in his faciious opposition 20 the
will Of the majority in m- irdcccut abuse Of
m,n who Oppose him What qualities Of
leadership indeed has hc ever anywhere shown,
excerpt in making the most % an accidental
possession Of patronage 10 consolidate per
-onal balance Of power. which even when be-
had it he fritteTcd sway IN the pampcune
of his Own spleen and the qualification OF his
personal leadership Great Ycs-in SON,
things siupendous, magnificent. But not a.
Statesman or leader.