Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-26

Tomorrow begins the last week of the cam
paign in New York and Virginia, and in both
of these states the excitement is at fever heat
In New York the tide seems to be setting In
favor of the republican ticket. The republicans
are united and aggressive, while the democrats
are disturbed by faction and are on the defen-
sive. A sensational Interview with Conkling,
in which that retired statesman Is made to
speak very bitterly of the republican ticket and
platform, appeared in yesterdays New York
Sun, and for the moment gave the republicans
some anxiety. But Mr.. Conkling at once repu-
dated the article, that its effect in the CAM
paign was short-lived. Possibly few Of the
"old guard" stalwarts will cut Davenport, as
they did Blaine; but it Is generally understood
that Conkling has pretty much lost his political
following. His supporters, as a rule, were to be
found among the ranks Of thick-and-thin party
men, and this element is not apt to be swayed
by sentimental loyalty to bygone heroes.
The dissatisfaction with Hill has not show n
itself In open revolt except among the mug
wumps, who have gone back almost In body
to the republicans. Rut under the surface there
Is q deep discomfort among more progressive
democrats at the tactics Of the party leaders of
the state, and IT would not be strange if con-
siderable body of democrats remained at home,
or put in q vote for prohibition, as in Ohio.
In Virginia the signs of the times are less
hopeful for the republicans. 1t is said, in fact,
that Malone has given up the state ticket and
Is concentrating his forces for the capture of the
legislature. However that may be, 1t Is GER
tain that on the surface there Is no lack of zeal
In the republican state canvass. In addition to
local speakers, the republicans are to be helped
by such talent as Senators Sherman, Logan and
Edmunds and Governor-elect Foraker. :. 1t
seems TO be thought by politicians here that 1t
was a mistake for the republicans to put Sher-
man and Foraker on the stump in Virginia, in
view of the iil-feeling likely to be raised by
their appearance there.
Few persons, we suppose, who read the alleged
interview with ex-senator Conkling, as pub
lished yesterday, were willing to accept the
views and observations as therein made as the
deliberate expressions of q formal talk by that
gentleman, whether in the seclusion of a circle
of friends or for publication. Whatever weak
nesses Mr.. Conkling may have, an intentional
parade Of his sores and q public request for
sympathy on their account are not of them.
That he carries around with him good many
ranking reminders of the past is not to be de-
MED; but, while he daily gives unmistakable
proofs of disappointed ambition and humbled
vanity, he Is one of the last men in the world
to make an open admission to that effect. Yet
1t is pretty clear that many of the sentiments
attributed to him in the article in question are
those he actually entertains. and it is also more
its writer has been used by Mr. Conkllng, at
some time or other. Throughout there are not
wanting certain evidences of genuineness, or
rather of a correct representation of the distin-
guished exISenator's views and feelings, and it
Is hardly to be expected that the person who
prepared the paper will confess that he had not
substantial warrant for all that he has pub
lished. 1t will probably turn out that while
the writer will not claim that his production as
published is the literal transcript OF a single
talk by Mr.. Conkling, he will insist that it Is a
fair reflex of the expressions and sentiments Of
that gentleman, as uttered from time to time to
different persons, and possibly in various
places. In other words, instead of being a COM
plete and symetrical mental picture, wrought
out by the hand of Mr.. COnkling, himself, as it
purports to be, 1T will probably turn out to be a
collection of his fragmentary utterances, so
deity put together by another hand as to form
a piece of mosaic work, genuine as to material
and tolerably correct as to drawing and color
but lacking the unmistakable touch of the
artist whose name 1t bears.
Mr.. Conkling is certainly justifiable in repu.
dating an interview which makes him speak
of Senator Edmunds as "the venerable icice
who folded his hands," &c. Lord Roscoe would
never be guilty of mixing metaphor in this
way,