New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-08
A TALK WITH DIR. WOOLsEY

PRESIDENT GARFIELD1s FUrURE-RosCoE coNK.
LING's GREAT BLUNDRR-HIs PROBABLE FUTTRx
AND PLACE IN HsroRY-" THIRD TERMrsMr
DEAD-THR QUESTION OF A NEW rARTY-AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE. SERVICE RKFoRM-TIIH
GROWTH OF POLITICAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AND EDUCATION OF THE NFGRo-NEED OF Ma
iloSAL AID FOR SOUTHERN sCHooLs-RRLATIoN
oF AMERICA TO OTHER SAuoNs-THE NONE
Larry PRoBLRM-TEMrERANcE REFORM-rHn
REVISED TEsTAHENT-woMEE IN THE COLLEGES.
hlgh above the level of the Sound, one of
the lofest spots in Connecticut is the village Of Corn
WALL three and half miles the nearest station of
the Housatonic Railway and about five miles fro,n
bridgeport IL lovely village, surrounded by such
scenery be found in Vermont In this charming
NOOK ex-Fresdent Woosey OF Yale College, has spent
part OF several summers and there Representative OF
IHE TRIBUNE had long talk with him on recent after
noon.
Inc conversation naturally turned first President
Sarheld and the prospects OF his recovery ture
usefulness and 20 the discussion OF other publ,o
men and topics OF general interest.
II is commonly said" remarked the writer that tr
tue President RECEIVERS he viii be the most popular Chief
Executive the Nation has ever had with the posshle
exception Of Washington and Lincoln DO you think
sos"
The mere fact that he has been vonnsad 4, ,os
suhie1ent 10 warrant such a conclusion replied Dr.
Woosey The sympathy which suffering excites nos
often permanent IL may pass away almost as quickly
as II comes II that were the only foundation pre-
but fimsy support After thorough recovery an IN
judicious course might completely destroy his popularity
If it had no better foundation than that"
You do not expect hm TO gain in popularity because
OF Guiteau's crime, then 2"
On the contrary he VIII probably gain nucb Rut A
will not be the fact OF his suffering but the manner I'm
which he bears it, that viii effect that result He has
shown himself selfsustaned man, a man OF original
natural courage, fortified by principle the brief ad-
minstration Of his present Office he had shown thai Ia
10 q lis and, fs
down by an assassns bullet his bravery his manliness
his forttude his faith revealed his character so a ~
respect and affection of the people him were greatly
increased. Confidence in him viii be great becauss ha
has shown himself man OF great worth The pOsisou
in which he viii be established If he recOyeF VIII aGord
him great opportunity FOR usefulness"
GARFMLD's RANK IN HISTORY
"Do you think he viii rank with Washington and LIN
coin a great President 2"
1T is not time for comparison OF any living man i
them There mixture OF qualities in Washington
which with his uprightness made him great. He wEs
trusted; he deceived the people, was man of
honor in the highest sense. He did not Office but
onlce sought him. The people made him DO what be aid
not care to do. He had vanity. no pride He was
wonderful blessing from God TO the world would ba
possible TO trace Tcsemhlances his character IN that Of
President Garfield but that would better left to poo
terfy. As To Lincoln surprised that take the In
teres in him do. There is a most interesting mixture
OF traits in his character II is unequaled find myself
drawn fast to him. lie was too humane too kindly As
20 his perspcacity, his divinng power sure
lie seems to have been raised mp by Providence like
judges Of old when the people Israel had 40 seed
Government and like them he had .eU advantage OF
carly training. His pathos wOnde fal. an1 h1s
humor was infinite. There is hardly ]. dis
story more unique than his. 1t would be
dertake a comparison OF President Garfield with hin
now much there may be alike in theIh Ior5ness
of spirit and purpose. later generation win cstr1ats
their r2nL and worth more accurately than
done"
~fc
Glow do you regard ex-senator Conklings act,oa IN
resgning his scat in the Senate Z" asked writer
There can be but one opinion about that. Il was
great blundcr."
But wac it a blunder which Of his intcleencs
should have seen in advanceor OF Kind whose
true character does not appear until after their oee-r
renee Z"
It should have required but very ordinary iu,elf-
gence TO detect its character at the outset" said<Dr.
Noolsey. " No one but man OF inflated vanity aud
supreme seldshness have taken step 20 unueses
and opposite TO the OF statesman
under such circumstance"
"Bnt Mr. Co king is a mau Of acknowledged ahlity
and much slcewdness aud he has welded great ia a-
encei
Ills great Influence could not exist without the spons
system. lie has naueurated himself as power for ~
curing New-YorS offices. That kind Of a man osasos
when you sake away his power over patronage lie hsa
appeared bc governed by patriotic motives bu by
selfish greed Rad he devoted himself as intensely 10 hs
promotion Of the public good he has the aims
selfish ambition, he might have gained more Tor himself
as well as have done for tie country
"lut he has many admirers and some warm flienGsFs
"Therc men who have the especial gift OF making
friends Mr.. Clay was srch mau. lie was gcneuCls
and genial, we'll brilliant, and people loved hln.
Mt. COnEing docs not 10 attract friends by such
qualities He may have the gift OF toe msgnc- walsh
draw things bus docs go The tanes. That eff
viii perhaps f him when he loses his grp New-Yor<
patronage"
"ue is entitled 10 recognition as a Statesman, IS he
notl"
"He has not originated any great measures IN Coa-
gross, far 1 know. Nor has he revealed any pro
found views finance tho statoslnan's Office 10
does appear 10 possess any srcb breadth Of
craftsmanship as President Garfield, for eSs,ar'e7
"As lawyer hc VIII DE- able to take tho ers. rank Ct
the bar, II De a0andons politics, win be not ."
- do know TO bis legal requirements, 'Gt
should hardly think he would be able Senator
Edmunds. Very few As a constitutional lawyer
Mr.. Ednunds is perhaps unsurpassed NIr Evarts too,
would be than a match for him. His occupation az
political boss has not been favorable las legal
tliumea,s and ns habits have not been such make
it probable that be take the first place 80 the Aer
/ can bar"
"FoT original and orstorca power hc must rank among
the first this country has produced. mast he notr'
probably mi ght have made great orator, had he
pursued be right But lac has cioscn great
themes and produced great oratons thnt WI live
like Mr. Webster. Great a. were Mr Mcbstsr's
nesses he was o man OF profound views subjects OF
the highest Importance and his great uttcranccs
the expression Of his deepest convictions Az 20 OF ena
power perhaps the legal profession OF Aaoca has not
produced the equal ol ChiefJusuoe Marshall He
not as learned jurist may had since
his day but ia the Interpretation n instruments
sst. ft n hs1 tf.n