Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-08

TIE Washington correspondent Of the
Baltimore Sun says: 'sRecently. as has
been extensively mentioned, q number OF
prominent Republicans, representing the
stalwart element OF the party, including
GoVernor Cornell, Senator elect Platt, OF
New York, and othere, made the pilgrimage
70 Mentor, and had a long conference with
uehetai 6arneld. The visit was Of impor-
tance, ahd the results of consequence.
Your correspondent is enabled to give some
OF the points Of interest obtained from un-
doubted authority. Before the departure
OF tue gentlemen, several of whom are the
close personal friends OF Senator Conkling,
that gentleman, in a talk of two hours, gave
his views on the political situation, the duty
and the responsibility Of the Republican
party the divisions which disturb It and the
factions which compose 1t, the attitude
which General Garfeld's administration
should assume, and his ideas as to the COM
position OF the new Cabinet. 1t is said that
Mr. Conkling has never in his life talked
more powerfully and more eloquentlY.
de sent no messages to General Garfield,
and authorized no requests OF any character
to be made in his behalf. Yet, as may be
OF course assumed, the views expressed by
Mr.. Conkling were conveyed as correctly as
could be from second hand, and were rt-
ceived by General Garfield with every ap-
pearanee of interest and consideration. 1t
was demonstrated that General Garfield was
anxious to do everything not inconsistent
with the independence of the Executive to
secure the sympathy of Mr.. Conkling wish
his administration. There was no differ
ence OF opinion as to the fact that If the Re-
publican party is to retain national supre-
macy New York is essential. and with Mr..
Conkling disaffected New York cannot be
had. General Garfield has been daily eve
witness of the result of the policy pursued
By President Hayes in alternating the
prominent leaders or the party which
elevated him to his position. He does
not desire 3 similar experience, and re
sees that, although the Republicans Will
have the numerical majority In the next
House of Representatives aud practically
have half of the Senate, he and his admins
traticn will, like Mr.. Hayes, have 10 de-
Tenders unless he is IN accord with the
leaders Of his party in both houses. With
Senator CoDkliug In the same attitude to-
ward his administration as he occupies to-
ward that of Dir. Hayes, the Democrats
would for all iutents and purposes rule both
houses of Congress during the next two
years. The visitors came away perfectly
satisfied, and under the firm conviction that
General Garfield will at the outset place his
administration en- rapport with the stalwarts,
and that If Senator Conkling is not satisfied
with what is done it will simply be because
he will be satisfied with nothing less than
the role Of a dictator. But neither the new
President or those with whom he
conferred contemplate such a contin-
tingency. 1t is well not to misun-
derstand the meaning of action in
concert with the stslwarts. for it will
most likely be matter of more importance
10 connection with the distribution of
patronage than with regard to any line OF
general policy. The South will be treated
generally with as much IL not more con-
sidvration than has been the case undsr the
present administration, but 1t may be sntici-
pated Is entirely probable that MT so many
Democrats iH that section will be put into
Office. But General Garfield has indicated
that he will make a determined effort TO
enforce all the Federal laws relative to re-
construction and elections, and it may be
remembered that Mr.. Hayes did the same
thing. So far as Mr.. Blaine is concerned
the visitors came away entirely satisfied, but
probably not more SO than before they went,
that he is TO be Secretary Of State. But
there is nothing 10 this to obyiate the pls-
eating OF Mr.. Conkling. Mr.. Blaine has
no desire to perpetuste personal resent
ments between himself and Dir. Conk-
ling. Il may be said, and of this General
Garfield is aware. that Senator Conkling is
quite cOgniZant of the fact that Mr.. Blaiae
is at any time ready to let bygones be by
gones, when hessis willing to have it so SET
tied aud understood in the brave and gen
erous style which becomes true nanliness.
Probably Senator Conkliug may choose
never to respond to the overtu-es which
have been made ID him, and IL he so elects
this Of itself need have no earthly effect
upon his relations to the President, for Mr..
Blaine, who has said plainly to his friends
that he has given up all Presidential aspira-
tions, would have no wish to take any part
10 the faction fights Of the New York Re
pubIicans, or to have any voice in the dis
tribution of the patronage in that State.
1t may now be deduced with reasonable GER
tainty that the new President will enter On
his term with a harmonious party behind
him, and in active support OF that element
OF the party which has won all its great vic
tories. It may be proper to say that in
what is above written there Is no purpose to
intimate that General Garfield made any
specific promises as to Cabinet or other
otfices.n