The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-04-26
CONKLING IN HIS PRIME.

who knew more about law than many
an old practitioner, when, at seven
teen years of age he entered the office of
Spencer & Herman at Utica. The latter gen.
tleman, whose name is familiar to all who
read the papers, was to become the future
colleague of the young law student in the
senate of the United States. Before he had
reached his majority, before he had been
admitted to the bar even, he received the
appointment Of district attorney of Oneida
county. He was admitted to the bar at
twenty one, and Immediately commenced a
most brilliant career as lawyer He also
began to figure prominently in the politics
of his state. He was a leader by instinct, and
soon became one in fact Before he was
thirty years Of age he had won great til
umphs as an advocate. become a recognized
leader of his party in New York. and been
elected to the nited States congress. Hav-
ing married a sister of Ex-Gov. Seymour, he
made his home in the city of Utica, of which
he became mayor in 1858 He was defeated
in second contest for the mayoralUy, but
was elected to the Thirty-sixth congress,
taking his seat in December. 1859. The
fame which had gone before him, and the
brilliant powers which he possessed enabled
him at once to assume position of influence
in the national legislature. He was re-
elected the following year, and entered the
special session called by President Lincoln,
July 4, 1861, with his brother Frederick,
who was elected from New York city. In
bis candidacy for the Thirty eighth congress
he was defeated by Mr.. Herman, in whose
office he had formerly been a student, but
was again successful in 1864, and resumed
his seat in the Thirty ninth congress.
HIS FORENSIC rRIUMPHs.
1t was then that he began that grand series
Of forensic triumphs which haye forced
passage into history, and entitled him TO
position in the forefront of contemporary
orators The arraignment of McClellans
generalship, his memorable speeches on the
questions of the war, his opposition to the
legal tender act, and his influence in direct
ing the policy of the government toward the
South, have all served to elevate him in
glory above his peers, and to establish his
reputation beyond the reach of partisan
bitterness In the autumn of 1865 he was
chosen United States senator, assuming his
duties on the 4.h of March, 1867. He was
reelected in 1878, and again in 1879 Mr..
Conkling was the candidate OF the Repubi-
cans Of New York at the Cincinnati conven-
ton of 1876. ana on the first ballot re-
ceived all but one of the seventy votes from
his state and thirty votes besides After the
sixth ballot the New York delegation retired
for consultation, and as the contest then ap-
peared to be one between Blaine and Hayes
the New York vote was thrown almost SOL
idly for the Ohioan, insuring his nomination.
In 1880 Mr.. Conkling appeared in the ma
tional convention at Chicago as the cEam-
pton of Gen. Grant, and his speech of nom-
ination. in which occurred the passage: 3You
ask where our candidate halls from, and the
answer is from ADpomattox has become
celebrated. 1t was Mr. Conkling, too, who
offered the resolution pledging every men,
ber or the convention to support the nom
inee, whoever that nominee may be-
and when three delegates voted mo"
i5 was Mr.. ConklinQ who offered o
resolution expelling the three delegatea In
The warm discussion which followed Gen.
Garfield played the part of peacemaker and
the incident gave him an opportunity to
make that favorable impression upon the
convention which largely promoted his
nomination four days later. In the difn-