Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-09
CoNKLING ON HIS DEFEAT.
The Ex-senator Talks of the Results of
the Chicago Convention.


Ne,o York Special to tie PhiIadelDAfa Press
There was quite a distinguished COM
pany last night at the large round table in
the Hotel Brunswick. at which the Satrr-
day Night Club enjoyed their Nav dinner.
President Clark Bell presided. and General
Grant, Roscoe COnkling, eX-Postmaster
Ieneral James, the Hon. John II. Starin
ana senator Camden We're among the
quests General Grant was among the
hrst called on to speak, and it was only
aiter repeated calls that he at last re-
luctantly arose. 1t was ALWAYS a great
inIllctlOn on him, he said. to be compelled
To get upon his feet to make a speech: if
he had anything to say he could say it
better while sitting. The General imme-
diately launched out into his fayOrite sub
1ect nowadays. Mexico. and expressed a
deep interest in the affairs of our sister
republic. Its resources, he said. were
simply wonderful, and he hoped that the
most intimate relations would be main-
tanned between the two countries.
I'VE must take our neighbOr under our
wing" said the General, ''and help her to
cultivate her own great resources, teach
ing her that il is for her best interest to
maintain a close alliance with us"
There were all the essential elements of
unlimited prosperity in the two countries,
and the United States and Mexico
united in friendly alliance could be so
strong that in case a combined war
should be made upon them by all other
countries they would be able to shut
themselves in their shell and sustain
themselves longer than the people attack
ing them could do without their products.
Mr. COnkling was then called upon. He
paid graceful compliment TO the Satur-
day Night Club, and spoke of the pleas
ure he felt in listening TO General Grants
words concerning the Importance of cul-
tivating the most intimate relations with
our neighbOring republic. OF General
Grant, the speaker said that he had '.cir-
cled the world with his travels as he had
before filled it with his renOwn.'' Seeing
the SOldler-statesman upon this occasion.
and noting the earnestness and sound
judgment with which he was urging the
forming of closer relations between the
United States and Mexico, the speak
er was lead to contemplate the
many things which General Grant had
done for his country. The eX-SenatOr's
mind carried him back to the last Chicago
convention, at which an unsuccessful at
tempt was made to nominate General
Grant for President. That was a cOnven-
tiOn TO which 420 of the delegates were
sent for specific purpose, ''nOt instructed
merely, but bound in honor TO God and
man to discharge certain obligations
and those obligations were to vote for the
nomination of General Grant for Presi-
dent of the United States.
Il believe, as firmly as / believe any,
thing" said the speaker earnestly, ''that
the results of that convention have held
this country back ten years. Yes, that
days work has cost this nation in pro-
gress fully ten years." Mr.. COnkling said
that the Democrats were about to take
control of the country. Two years ago
the Republican party came out of a stout
ly fought battle victorious from sea to sea,
north of the Mason and Dixon line. 1t
fought the greatest political battle ever
fought. 1t was battle heavily weighted,
but the Republicans rallied under their
old leaders and glOriOuSly won. That was
but two years ago, and now the speaker
could think of but three of the Northern
States in which the Republicans were
victorious.
Abiding to the growth and resources
of Mexico, Mr.. COnkling said that it was
eminently TT that the two North Ameri-
can republics should live on terms of close
intimacy. He hoped that the people of
both countries would appreciate the force
Of General Grants assertion that the in
terests of the United States and of Mexico
should be made identical, commercially.
socially and politically. It might be that
the eX-President of the United States
would be recognized as the leader of the
great movement to help the Republic of
MEAlCU NGNtlOll It's INSUAlIttS anu ~ DIlU2
about the natural commercial union of the
two countries.
''But | do not know as | ought to use
the word leader" said Mr.. COnkling sar-
castically. THE word leader is a term
Of OpPrObFium, an epithet, nowadays. To
be "A leader now is to be boss. and there
is no end Of men who think il desirable
to deride and pull down bosses. The So
called fight against bosses is the particu-
lar form that a certain class of men give
20 4 raid upon superiority. Point out to
me a boss and / will show you man who
by virtue of his ability deserves to he a
boss" If in addition to what General
Grant had done for his country it should
fall to him to Indicate the time. the mode,
and the occasion which joined in an alli-
ance the United States and Mexico, Mr..
COnkling thought that he would then
wear decoration which would be far
greater than the hOnOrs hitherto bestowed
upon him.
Speaking of the Importance of culti-
waiting the Mexican trade the ex-senator
said he hoped some Of the statesmen who
were undertaking to shape the affairs of
this country would find time to consider
the 800, ,OOO.0 600 of trade that awaited de-
velOpment in the republic south of us,
and also of the additional millions of
trade that would respond to the American
enterprise il the other South American
countries. "WhenIthese statesmen shall
turn away from that great issue-the find
ing out Of what boy or what girl shall
have a place in the government employ
said Mr.. COnkling, ''perhaps they will
give some attention TO our commercial re-
latiOns with Mexico" In concluding his
remarks the ex-senator said that many of
those who were influential in shaping the
affairs of the government were merely
.snIovino push-pin over the rot and rub
bish oC low, tricky politics." Mr.. Conk-
ling.s remarks ELECTED no demonstration
whatever.