The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-26

1t is the generally expressed belief that
neither Mr. Conkling nor Mr.. Plat, will be
reelected by the New York Legislature to
the seats in the United States Senate which
they recently made vacant by resigning.
Whatever may be the result in this respect,
the designations. for the provocation al
legged. will constitute an interesting fact in
the political history Of the country and as
time rolls on it will be condemned bv the
sober Judgment of the people with far
greater emphasis than is now anifested.
but not with so much heat and passion. 1t
is grave act to commit-that of deliber-
ately depriving great State of its repre-
sentation in the United States and by that
means change the party complexion of that
body. While the Democrats did not profit
anything by the unexpected majority thew
thus secured, nevertheless it was reckless
disregard of the interest of their State. and
certainly of their party. for the New York
Senators to have vacated their seats at the
time they did. 1t reminds us of the South
in 1861 when. because the American peo-
pie. under the forms OF law and in obser-
vance of the Constitution. had elected a
President not acceptable to the South, State
after State was left without representation
in the highest legislative body OF the nation
There was less excuse for the action of
Messrs. Conkling and Platt for the course
they took, than for the Southern Senators,
for these latter only abandoned their trusts
when their respective States had passed or
dinances OF secession and attempted thus
to sever their connection with the national
government. The New York Senators had
nothing to complain of but that the Presi-
dent had nominated one officer to suit his
personal wish, out of more than dozen
appointed, the balance of whom were the
friends of the Senator'S This one officer
was not arraigned because of Sant of
! qualifications for the discharge OF the duties
of the position to which he was nominated.
His integrity as man, his social standing,
his loyal record and his party featy were
not brought in question. The only ground
of objection was that he did not recognize
in Mr.. tonkliDg the embodiment of the
Republican party, and exercised the right
to antagonize hin within the party to which
both protested feality. Mr. Robertson rep
resented large following of Republicans
in his State and this following was just es-
sential for success in New York as the 9TH
er wing OF the party. 1t was the avowed
policy OF the President. manifested in the
selection of his Cabinet, to reconcile. if pos
sible, all the conflicting Republican eie-
ments, and to do this the most important
step was to recognize each in the distribu-
ton OF patronage-the test of the conf
dence of the administration. In doing so
Mr.. Conkling became offended. and when
the President persisted in the line of policy
he had marked out, and it was found chat
the Senate intended to sustain him, then it
was that the New York Senators threw up
their commissions, aud now seek the en-
dorsement OF the Legislature of their
State for this unprecedented and indefensi-
BILE action.
We are not Of those who join in the
clamor to ''crush Conkling.'' Indeed, it is
no easy matter to crush such man. He
has singuarly pure public record he is
gentleman OF commanding ability, large
experience and determined methods. 1t is
no easy matter to crush such man, nor do
We think it desirable that the attempt
should be made. We do not think that the
Legislature should re-elecJ him. but even if
it should do so, it would not affect the right
or wrong of his position. He is clearly
wrong and the President clearly right upon
tween right and wrong for the Judgment of
the country to be asked. So far as express
sion has as yet been given to it public senti-
ment is largely with the President, and
this preponderance will increase the
longer the difference is discussed and the
more the people are familiarlzed with it,
Way down in the hearts of the American
people there is deep reverence and love for
the government, and jealous regard for
the dignity, the integrity and the rights
of its Chief Magistrate. This is mani
tested without regard to party associa-
ton, when an assault is made upon the pre-
negatives OF the President. The great mass
OF the people. because of this, sympathize
with the administration in the contest, and
their sympathy is kindled into admiration,
in view of the fair and impartial course the
President has pursued. He has sought no
advantage of MIR. Conkling, but has aimed
to recognize the Republican party as
whole, giving preference to neither fac
tions nor persons as they respect parties, for
the purpose OF placing one above the other |
courageous adherence to this policy-a
straightforward, manly determination to
maintain right. as this indicates, will am
ply fortify the Executive against all spas
modic, ill-tempered assaults. and elevate
him in the confidence and respect of the
people, without regard to party. This will
be the outcome whether Messrs. Conkling
and Platt are returned by the Legislature
of their State or not. That is for the men,
bers of that bodyto determine. The broader
and more vital question is for the American
people to pass Judgment upon, and in do
ing this the verdict will reflect the calm,
patriotic heart of the nation, beating in
harmony with the action of the President,
and the motives which have influenced
him.