The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1888-09-22
COnkIlng and Blaine.


New York. Aug s0.-[Speeiall +
q Roscoe Conkling, were he living,
would, believe, stump this State for
Cleveland and Thurman The author
of this startling assertion was Myron
Bangs, a well-known citizen of Fayetts-
vile, this State, and a lifelong and
most intimate friend of Roscoe Conk-
ling.
81 knew Mr.. Conkling intimately
he added. lie talked to me freely ON
political subjects. know he despised
Mr.. Blaine, and that he entertained
high respect for Mr.. Cleveland. In the
summer of 1886, Mr.. Conkling one day
invited me to Goldfish tongue dinner
at John Chamberlain's Carleton Club.
During the dinner our conversation
turned ON politics. At last Folgers's
name was mentioned. Mr. Conkling's
eyes flashed, his whole form seemed to
dilate, and with more passion in his
voice than ever before observed, he
said: The Folger incident is one of
the blacklist pages of foul treachery.
James &. Blaine, in that campaign-of
iSSS-knifed the Republican party be-
cause of personal quarrel with Pres
ident Arthur. In that campaign,
Blaine sowed The seed of the whirl-
wind that defeated him in 1884.
Folger was one of the most upright
men that ever graced American poll
tics. Ele was, moreover, very sensi-
tive man. Blaine's treachery killed
him. Mr.. Blaine is as directly respon-
sible for the death of Folger as though
he had run him through with a knife
"Mr Conkling here paused, over
come with emotion. When he recov-
cred himself, he continucd 1t is here
generally believed that withheld my
support from Mr. Blaine in 1884 for
reasons of personal animosity. This is
not true. Whatever my personal feel
ings might have been, my loyalty to
the Republican party would have
caused me to support my party, had !
believed IL to be for its best interests.
Mr.. Blaine knew to be traitor to
his party. knew him to be a corrupt
man, the tool of rings, and that, If
made President, he would be sure to
get the country IN trouble. Consc-
quently could not advise my friends
to support him.
IL asked him his opinion of Clevs-
land, and he said Mr.. Cleveland is
making an excellent President. lie is
proving himself an able, honest, fear
less man. lie seems to place his idea
of duty high above political advantage
lie win go down in history as one OF
our great Presidents. His grasp OF
national affairs surprises me. Had !
not witnessed II, would not have be-
licved that any man whose practical
knowledge of Government was gained
in brief term as Governor of this
State could so readily have mastered
the science OF Government.
"Shortly after this conversation |
went to Washington in company with
Mr.. Conkling and Colonel and Mrs.
Robert G.. Ingersoll and Judge
Lochranc, of Georgia. While at the cap
ital, called on the President in the
company of Judge Lochrane. In the
course of our conversation with Cleve-
land, | mentioned to him that Mr..
Conkling was in our party. Mr..
Cleveland expressed the highest re-
spect and admiration for Mr.. Conkling,
remarking that Oneida and Onondaga
counties, Mr.. Conkling's stronghold,
had held the balance of power in New
York State in 1884. lie signi1ed his
desire TO see Mr.. Conkling, and re-
quested me to bring him to the White
House. | tried TO persuade him to pay
the desired visit, but in vain. He said !:
If visit the President, people will
say that ! have some favor to ask,
some AK to grind. defeated Blaine
in 1884 and closed his political career.
The President knows this. That Is all
the satisfaction | ask.'