The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-19
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
What the Metropolitan Papers Have
Say of Mr.. ConklinG.

What the Metropolitan Papers Have TO
Say of Mr.. ConkllnG.
NEW YoRK, April lS.-The Tribune to-
day, commenting on the death OF Roscoe
Conkling, says: "The grief occasioned
by the sudden death of so prominent
and forceful figure is deep and sincere.
His follow countrymen, whatever the
sharp differences of the past, turn with
something very like atIectionatc remein-
brance to the contemplation OF the quail
tiles that ennobled him, andto his many
good and faithful services.
"Roscoe Conkling possessed abilities
of the first order. He was born leader
of men. He left in our politics many
demonstrations Of his power. 1t was
said OF Herbert Spencer that his per
sonal equation was very large The
words fit Mr.. Coukiing perfectly. When
Charles Sumner was asked to consider
the other side OF the slavery question he
said, Sir, there isn't any other side
Mr.. Conkling had the same inability to
put himself in the place OF those who
iailed to see eye to eye with himself"
The Herald says: "The death OF Roscoe
Conkling is not an incident, but an
event. As q political influence, rather
than rs n political leader, Mr.. Conkling
will be honored. He was born to lead II
modern democracy. He was Coriolanus
rather than Rienzi-a master, not n tri-
bune. The arts OF modern leadership,
tact, compromise, recognition OF the
limitations, and weakness OF devoted
friendship were unknownto his naughty
spirit. He rather led the leaders OF
Men-the centurions, the captains OF the
fifties-who were attracted by the force
OF his character and followed him from
admiration Of his picturesque and splen-
did genius. The intense honesty of Mr..
Conkling became often INTOLERANCE.
There was no bending that intrepid will.
His devotion to principle or n friend
ship was that OF Loyola, not OF Tally
rand. We have lost the most aggressive
leader in American politics since Clay
and Webster died, thirtysix years ago"
The World says: "The imperiops
spirit that nothing save Death could
bend, is at last laid low. Roscoe Conk-
ling is no more. The dead statesman
and lawyer was natural leader among
men. Brilliant in intellect, dominating
in will, intense in his convictions, elo-
Quent in speech, the soul of honor, a
generous friend and open foe, nature
ordained him TO serve ut the front in
whatever sphere oi..action he was placed:
Roscoe Conkling will be honored and
remembered for two traits in his char
acter: His intellectual independence,
and his inherent integrity.
The Sun says: "The most pictur..
esoue, striking and original figure Of
American politics disappears in the
death of Roscoe Conkling. Alike pow
erfut and graceful In person, he lowered
above the masses OF men in the elas-
ticity OF his talents and the peculiarities
and resources OF his mental constitution
as much us he did in form and bearing.
Yet his career cannot be called Il sue.
cess, and he was not great man. But
he was an object Of love and admiration
to.an extraordinary circle Of friends, in
cluding not alone those who shared his
opinions, but many who were utterly
opposed to them. He was by nature Il
Jealous partisan, and it was his inclina-
tion to doubt the good sense and the
disinterestedness OF those who were on
the other side; but, nevertheless, the
strongest instinct OF his nature was
friendship, and his attachments stood
the test Of every trial except such us
trenched upon his own personality.