The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-03-03
RECENT APPOINTMENTS.

IL Ii an old saying and generally true tnas
"the unexpected always happens" The
most conspicuous recent exemplifcation Of
this axiom Is In the nomination by President
Arthur OF Roscoe Conkling, Of New York,
rs Associate Justice OF the Supreme Court OF
the United States, and A. A. Sargent, OF CAL
ifornia, rs Minister 70 Berlin. It had been
understood that Senator Edmunds, of Yer
mont, would be appointed to the Supreme
Court, and Judge Taft, of Cincinnati, Min
lister TO Germany. Conkling had once de-
clined the appointment Of Chief Justice, and
Sargent had gone TO Washington under ~
intimation 20 explicit that be was to be APP
pointed Secretary OF the Interior that he had
even visited that department and consulted
with chiefs of divisions in regard to their
duties. Ii was hardly to be expected under
these circumstances that either Of the gen.
tiemen would accept the lesser positions Of
fered them, nor did II seem possible the
President would appoint them without
knowledge that they would accept. Hence,
il was unexpected and ii has happened. II
seems to be understood that they will accept.
There have been some ugly things said Of
Sargent. II may not be amiss TO recall In
this connection that George Washington was
one Of tho most thoroughly abused men who
ever sat In the chair Of the Chief Magistrate,
and that In a day and q generation when
there was not q thousandth part of the facil-
titles for hanging up dirty linen to the gaze
of the world that exist now. We have seen
I'm our day men bounded down and driven
out of public life who were not only the
peers but the superiors Of their defamers.
This may be the case with Sargent. He has
bitter enemies, but many Californians OF
knowledge and integrity maintain that the
charges against him are baseless-that he Ii
honest, able, indefatigably industrious, self.
poised, devoid Of vices, and worthy of high
est preferment. President Arthur seems 10
have believed this, or he would not have APP
pointed him 10 q first-class mission-one that
has been filled by such men as Bancroft,
Davis, Bayard Taylor, and Andrew d.
White. Still, 1t remains under the circum-
stances only honorable exile. II the charges
against him were true, be Is not worthy to
represent this country at Berlin; Il they
were not, the President might well have dis
carded the question Of placating his enemies
and have appointed him to the Interior De-
partment.
In the appointment OF Conkiing to the
Supreme Bench, the President has invited
TO II one Of tho greatest brains of America
and an honest man. lie too has been
bounded and snarled at. The Republican
party, rs exempiified In his own State, has
proven In Its treatment of him how migrate.
full Republics can be, 1t has, as this ap-
pointment would indicate, driven with whip
and thong from its council fires one Of its
few really great leaders, that mediocrity
might triumph and demagoguery sit In high
places. Conkllng will honor the Bench but
politics will lose the Cid Campeador of Re
publicanism. Why he should accept the ap'
pointment Is inexplicabie, except that 1t Il
accepted as an honorable retirement from .
strife where the defeated are crowned with
gariands and the victor's sword Is broken In
disgrace. We had'hoped to see Mr.. Conk-
ling remain In politics. The better political
element of the country has few great and
worthy leaders. The day is drawing neal
when their services will again be required
to preserve the integrity and principles If moi
the stability Of the Republic. While the
composition OF the Supreme Court will mol
be the worse or Ccnkling's accession, we had
hoped to see him remain In the field for The
leader when the new and vital issues rise.