Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-25
A JUST REBUKE.
Scathing Criticism of Arthur and Conk-
ling by the Cleveland Herald
The Nomination Of the
Latter for Associate Justice OF the Su-
preme Court Denounced in I'm
measured Terms.

CLEVELAND, February 24.-The Herald
viii editorially say tomorrow, under the
heading, "A Disastrous Step:" president
Arthur yesterday did an act that was sur
prise and modification to those Republicans
who had placed confidence in his good sense,
and who refused to believe that in his official
course ne would defer to the dictates of an
arrogant and discredited clique rather than
conform to the wishes OF the great mass OF
Republicans and regard the true interests OF
the party and nation. He nominated
Roscoe Conkling to the supreme bench OF
the United States. There are obvious
reasons why the nomination should not be
made. Why, its announcement was a pain
full shock to Republicans who have the in
terest of the party at heart. The circum-
stances OF his disappearance from public
life need not be recalled. They are still
painfully fresh IN the public memory. A few
short months is not sufficient time 10 forget
the childish, petulant course Of Mr.. Conk-
ling in the Senate; the long -contiauel, dis
graceful wrangle al Albany; tie dark ,rsg
edy which accumulated and el. sed tl., s;rug-
gle, and the long silence OF Mr.. CpnkliI
when the whole world was sending lis
messages of sympathy and coincidence
to the stricken President and f,mily.
Nor are the circumstances Of his
appearance more likely to commend him
to the favor of the great body of Republicans
or of the people whole. The fulsome
eulogies of Parson Newman, the atrocious
insult to the Republican party in the bill
lingsgate attack Of Emory A. Storrs ON the
last Republican administration, the signii-
cant silence concerning Garfield contrasted
with the uprearious enthusiasm which every
reference to Conkling evoked, the carefully
prepared and widely published Islander by
one of onkling's brass-medaled clique upon
the memory of james A. Garfield, d. caring
him to have been weak and insincere' and
charging him with deliberate falsehood and
treachery to Roscoe Conkling, these were
all deliberately arranged preludes to the act
of yesterday, and illustrated meaningly that
act. Conklingism is triumphant Garfield
is Inundated That is the
only construction it will bear. There is no
possible excuse for this proceeding. The
friends OF Mr.. Conkling have deprecated any
unfriendly allusion TO him because they said |
he was not med9ling with politics,
and was peacefully pursuing his |
and the nation would gladly |
have had him remain at work which he was
said to be engaged in. Why WAS he
dragged from his law Office and Extensively
thrust upon the public ats ntioa by his little
knot of partisans and toadies? Why is it
proposed to take him from his alleged lucFa-
tive legal practice to place him in position
that pays less than one-third of his repuiel
income at the bar, when, by the circum-
stances surrounding it, that appointment
the Republican sentiment
Of the whole nation ? President
Arthur may have gratihed his private
and satisfied personal obligations
by the nomination; but has he the right TO
do so at such destructive cost to the party
whose claims on him are far greater than
hose OF any individual, or clique or faction?
We know we speak Tor the Republicans OF
Ohio, and we believe we do for the whole Re
publican party when We say emphatically
M