Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-20
ROSCOE CONKLING THE ROSS ATFN-

GER.
Mr.. Conkling was lately interviewed by
newspaper reporter. He declared he had
been out Of politics since his defeat two
years ago, and very innocently professed
not to be active, or to feel much interest
or solicitude in current political move
ments. But he professed decided regard
for Mr.. Perry Belmont, one of the
Democratic representatives from New
York, and declared, that if he had had
vote IN his district he would have voted
for him. Thus the great stalwart machine
boss processes willingness to act with the
Democracy. The secret of all this is, not
that LORD Roscoe loves stalwart bossism
less, but he hates Blaine more. Conkling's
admiration Of Belmont is boru5 of his.
Belmont's, fierce and bitter antagonism to
the last session of congess. Conk-
ling is a royal hater.
and he hates Blaine, with hatred scarcely
of earth, more akin, indeed, to the pit.
Conkling has never forgiven Blaine for
that contemptuous speech of his when both
were members of the house, now nearly
twenty years ago, when Blaine sneeringly
compared the 'strut'' of Lord Roscoe to
''the strut of Turkey cock" That speech
may have cost Blaine the presidency,
for Conkling has been in the past
so powerful factor in the party
and in conventions, as to shape results, and
his undying hate may have cost, even Conk-
no L. L.
had aspirations in that direction, which
Blaine has had influence enough to defeat.
Both were candidates for nomination at
Cincinnati in 1876, and neither could re-
ceive the nomination against the other,
and that remarkable ozark horse" Mr..
Hayes, came in. The chief spring
and source Of Conkling's
bitter luminosity towards Gar
fields administration, was the fact that
his mortal enemy, Mr.. Blaine, was mem.
Der of the cabinet, an luminosity that
nerved the assassin's arm. To what deadly
results has this feud between Blaine and
Conkling led? It has caused the death of
President, it has caused thu factious dis
ruption and final overthrow of the Repub-
lican party. AS friends they might
have combined their power and influence
for successful party achievements, and one
or both, successfully, might have reached
the presidency. AS relentless enemies, both
could not be equals in the same party, and
one, or both, must inevitably go to the
rear.
Conkling by his insane folly
and fatal blunders, has put pop
ular preferment forever beyond his
reach,and in his fall,does he not drag down
his great rival and antagonist? If Conkling
would go into the Democratic camp to
sustain Belmont, because of his hatred of
Blaine, if the latter should be nominated
for president, would he not use every exer-
ton of intrigue and Vaccination to defeat
him, at whatever cost of the party?
Here is patriotism, here is stateman-
ship of the boss rule sort,
working out its dire results. Kilkenny
cat-element clearly exists in the Republi-
can party, personal in its origin, but fatal
ly destructive in its outworkings, and is
likely to give to the political Potter's-feld
additional tenants. Let no one suppose
that Conkling, shorn of much strength as
he is, is without power,o or that he will fail to
exert it in the future, as in the past,
in the direction of personal hate, without
regard to party consequences. He prob
ably has no hope, nor any desire to keep
the Republican party on its legs. The
party has repudiated him with scorn, and
he reciprocates that scorn. He looks to,
and will work for new deal, though the
nucleus Of that new deal be the Democ-