Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-20
The Conkling Controversy.

in this state has been going on in the col
umns of that journal on the subject OF
the Conkling controversy. Colonel Clarke
strongly and effectively sustains his points,
and the balance into which the editorial re-
butting arguments have been thrown kicks
the beam with sharp click. The trans
formation wrought in Colonel Clarke's views
by witnessing the brazen impotence of the
Bourbons in the present senatorial deadlock,
and by observing at close range the real sig
nificance of the tedious contest in which the
senate is now involved, is forcibly shown by
his outspoken lack Of sympathy with the
encouragement that is given in many OF the
republican and all the anti-republican pa
pers in what is called "the anti-Conkling war
in New York." Reviewing the incidents OF
this controversy at some length, Colonel
| Clarke concludes "Once let the Bourbons
see that the republicans are united and that
they are practical men, not too good for
earth and yet so much better than their OPP
popents as to be preferred by all progressists,
then bourbonism will have won its last re-
cruit. Perhaps the men who SOW divisions
in our party do not realize that they are CIV
ing aid and comfort to the enemy, but that
is the only practical effect of it. For my
self, believe in Strengthening the hands of
those who have to face the enemy and stand
and do our fighting"
An unnatural prominence, conspicuous
ness wholly disproportioned to its real i'm
portance, seems to be given to the status Of
Mr.. Conkling, both in his relations to the
president and in his connection with the
New York appointments. morbid jeal-
ousy of him seems to afflict certain repub-
lican and independent editors. In their
eyes he seems to be the Mephistopheles Of
the republican party Actions which in
other conspicuous members of the party pass
uncballenged by these critics seem to as
sumo satanic significance if coupled with
Senator Conklings name. His magnificent
abilities and his splendid services in the
cause of republicanism have won for Sena-
tor Conkling the highest rank among the
leaders of the party. His title to a high
seat at the republican council board and to
decisive voice in the deliberations of the
party are not held by grace or sufferance.
His position of leadership rests on no claim
which he has not fully INDICATED during
life long career of unfinching and unwaver-
ing devotion in congress and on the stump,
in prosperity and in disaster, to the cause
of universal liberty. Victory more than
once has been forced from the unwilling
hands of the enemy of the republican party
by his imperial efforts. Circumstances
mould a character. Confronted in his own
state by an opposition in his own party as
arbitrary, as dictatorial in spirit, as in
triguing, as he himself is painted by his
worst enemy, it is not surprising that man
of Mr.. Conkling's mould, man intensely in
earnest in all that he undertakes, should de.
velop those qualities and characteristics
that render him most uncomfortable an
tagonist Success in great and evenly bal
anced struggles is won by skilful and power
full leadership. An ideal leader is always
to be preferred in every good cause. I'm
fortunately, few ideals have been produced,
and some of the worthiest causes have been
championed by men who were not in all re-
spects model leaders. 1t is easier to criti-
else than to fulfill. 1t is easier to lose
battle than to win victory 1t is reason
ably certain that if success in the late presi
dental campaign had depended on Mr..
Conkling's critics, no republican victory
would have been won in November. In the
present situation of political affairs in this
country when the moral line of demarka-
ton between Mr.. Conkling and his party OPP
ponents is so difficult to trace, obscured or
utterly lost in many places, the leadership
in pivotal state, as New York was and
may continue to be, is greatly to be pre-
ferred of the man who is able to win VIC
tory there for the whole country; and while
no services rendered, no splendid ability, no
capacity for successful leadership should
confer upon their possessor the privilege of
debating to the president in matters of
which he is sole arbiter, certainly such a
man should not be singled out as the sole
victim of exasperating criticisms or for irri-
tating atfronts. 1t is difficult to see or ap-
preciate the reasons for forcing contro-
versy with Mr.. Conkling at this time. There
is neither reason nor justice in the act Of
the president, the removal of Collector Mer-
rift, which reopens all the old wounds of
two years ago. If the president had indis-
creetly given color to the accusations of
"bargain or Surrender" by the appoint
ment of Conkling sympathizers to office,
there was no reason why he should make
bad matter worse by turning out, two years
before his term of Office expires, an efficient
and conspicuous official, an anti-Conkling
man, such as Collector Merritt, and appoint
in his place another notorious political OPP
ponent of Mr.. Conkling. BY every princi-
pie of justice, or reason, or common sense,
Collector Merritt was entitled to his office,
at least till the close of his official term,
and then, If common report does him JUS
tice, there could be no good reason why he
should not be reappointed. If, when the time
came for the appointment of Mr.. Merrtts
successor, the president then chose to make
a change, and Mr.. Conkling improperly an
tagonized the president, he would have
been as clearly exposed to criticism as the
president now seems TO be. That the pres
ident has the right to nominate Judge Rob-
ertson no one will question. He has the
right to discharge his cabinet and choose
new one every new moon if he chooses to do
so-the wisdom or expediency of doing
everything he has a legal right to do would,
nevertheless, be properly questioned and
sharply and justly criticised. The nomina-
tion of Judge Robertson at this time and
under all the circumstances, is an act which
seems to belong to this category.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.-The preva-
lence of diphtherfa in many localities in the
state this spring significantly recalls the eff
forts made by many members of the legis.
lature last fall, efforts that were strongly re-
inforced by intelligent outside public opin-
ion, to obtain the establishment of a state