Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-05-12
Excellent Talk.

Excellent Talk.
About ten years ago, there seems to
have been some difference of opinion
among Republicans in New York, in
regard to appointments to Office, Then
as now, Roscoe Conkling was a Sena-
tor IN Congress; then, as now, the
party stood united and strong, so far
as principles were concerned; then, as
now. there was division of sentiment
in regard 80 individual federal appoint
mentS; then, as now, personal feeling
ran high in that State, and now, as
then, it is the duty of public men to
act as statesmen, rather than as pot
house politicians. Then, Roscoe
Conkling, in writing to friend, wrote
like a statesman and the sentiments he
uttered are extremely appropriate at
the present time, and even the author
Of them might profit from re-reading
the same, and weighing we'll the words
then written by him. The letter is as
follows:
UTICA. Aug. 24,1S71-Dear SIR:
The view you take of political mat
ters is my view also. Every sincere
Republican can and must take hold
heartily now for ga long pull, a strong
pull and pull all togeather." Why
| not?
What is there to quarrel or falter
over? Are Republicans in this State
divided upon any principle at stake
now, or upon any practical measures?
We know that they are not.
Will Republicans, in the face of the
enemy, and of such an enemy, too,
refuse to stand by their cause, which
is in effect to desert to the other side,
merely because loaves have not como
to their baskets or fishes to their nets?
Why, only a few years ago there was
an odious imputation upon man to
charge that his politics depended on
spoils, and he cannot have deteriarat-
ed so much that men will plot against
creed and cause now, only because the
offices are too few to go round. Satan
cannot entrap men with so coarse and
bad snare at this. A week reliance
on our opponents, is as unworthy as
the talk in Democratic and halfway
newspapers about divisions and war in
our ranks. For my part, there is no
Republican whom | cannot take cordi-
ally by the hand and labor with shoul
der to shoulder in the work before US.
How can any man feel less than this,
and yet believe as you and l believe, in
the mission and usefulness Of the
Republican party?
Every one knows that the fttest
step toward remedy and reform is to
nominate the best men in the Republi-
can party and elect them to the
legislature and to the executive offices
of the State; and yet men stand talk
ing about federal patronage, and
differences among leaders, and person.
al feeling between individuals, and the
like.
What have such things to do with
the duty Of this hour? What do the
people care about them? Why should
they care? Of what public conse-
quence are the personal aims and
objects and mishaps of individuals?
For one, if can know how by act
or omission have given just offence
to any man, ought to so, and will go,
and make amends in my power All
who know you, know that you would
do likewise. But insist that all who
are in earnest should go to work and
keep at work 1t is high time to be
done with Improbable things signify
ing nothing, and productive only of
harm. The best way to do thing is
to do it.
Talking may be good, but talking
about what we are willing to do, and
what might be done when there is but
one straightforward thing to do, is not
near as likely to help the Republican
party as to take right hold honestly
and squarely as men should who be-
! lieve in what they are about and mean
it. We shall all be together in re-
deening the State, [ hope: and many
good men will help who never helped
US before.
Roscoe CoNKLING.
To the Hon. ] ohm H. Grisweld.
Frank Wood returned from his