The Washington critic., 1888-04-18
WASHINGTON, APRIL Is, 1888.
nOsCOE CONKIINC,

hNlhhlN VI lNn l'NbiA' illNhs
AS positive element Of Republi-
can politics for long period, and u
leader during the later years of the
war and the mumentous era of re-
construction which followed, he
became an aggressive force. It's inn
pressions are visible all along the
period of his legislative career. and
no act of his life was more universally
regretted than that by which he
voluntarily separated himself from
an arena in which he had proved
himself so useful and SO capable Of
achieving distinction,
However the precipitateness of this
action may be construed by others, TO
those who knew Mr.. Conkling best, it
best illustrated the decisiveness of his
character and the high sense of honor
that governed his conduct.
. lie chose not to be even an ostensi-
bic partner in what he then regarded
as the impending decline and fall of
the Republican party.
That he was not always the wisest
of political counselors may be true. but
that he was honest as the sun and true
10 his faith as the magnet to the pole
was never questioned, and although
these later years he had given politics
peremptory and final go-by, he still
cherished the hope of an ultimate re-
establishment of the party he did so
much to build up, its disenthralment
from hindrances which he could
never tolerate or compromise with
and second birth worthy of the
rlories of its first.
That he might have re-entered the
field as an active promoter of these
results is possible, but in the mean
time he was achieving triumphs at
the bar that promised both fortune
and honor above all that politics have
TO give; and it is not to be believed
that he would have ever renounced
such splendid certainties for the tur-
moil and confusion and glittering un-
certainties of partisan contention.
But the curtain is fallen, the story
is told. We have only now to lament
the loss of a brave man, true friend,
a constant advocate for the right.
Nature seldom produces more COM
manding 6gure-never one so sym
metiical in its attributes of fidelity TO
principle.
His death will be mourned by all
who admire true greatness, courage,
truth, integrity and patriotism. He
leaves behind him no peer. Those
who enjoyed his personal friendship
viii mourn for one whose loyalty was
one Of the strongest elements of his
character
His devoted wife and daughter will
have the sympathy of the whole
people in their great bereavement.
EVERY TIME Mr., Blaine in Italy has
a fever the Republican party in
America has chill. This is case Of
great pathological interest which the
doctors should hold a caucus on.
The TARIFF DEBATE began yesterday
with great dignity and decorum. The
opening speech, which presented the
revenue reform side Of the question
fairly and comprehensiyely, was
made, of course, by Mr.. Mills, as
Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, and II was highly appro-
pirate that the reply should come
: from Judge Kelley, the acknowledged
leader and exponent of protection.
The discussion promises to be long
continued and exhaustive, 1t will
not be strange If il wears upon the
public patience somewhat before a
vote is reached.
The MOST SERIOUS objection the Re-
publican leaders have, but do not ex-
press, TO the present tariff reform is,
that they did not originate it,
TBE AMERICAN ALLIANCE will hold
National Conference in this city on
the 23d of May, TO which at least
one delegate will be sent from
every Congressional District in
the country where the organi.
zation has established councils. The
object of the conference is to con
slider what policy is most expedient
TO pursue with reference TO the ap,
preaching Presidential campaign. II
is not probable that the Alliance will
place ticket in the field but its action
especially if there is shown to be &
strong and influential backing behind
it, may have some effect in shaping
The platforms of the two great party
conventions to be held in June. The
Alliance believes in the restriction Of
immigration, TO the extent at least of
excluding its undesirable elements
in requiring of foreign-born citizens a
residence in this country of twenty
one years as precedent TO the exercise
Of the elective franchise, and in the
prohibition of political organization
composed wholly of the foreign-born
But, unlike Know-Nothingism or the
Native Americanism of thirty years
ago, II proscribes no religious tests
and makes war upon no church
There are many citizens of the United
States, even OF foreign birth, who
agree in the main with the creed OF
The Alliance. Democrats and Repub