, 1888-04-19


In the contest that followed the pres
idential election Of rs, Mr.. CoNKLING
did not take an active part He did
not sympathize with the scheme
proposed: First, that OF admit
ting that HAYES carried Louisiana
and that PACKARD did not; and
second, he was opposed to su, render
ing the Republicans of the south, un-
conditionully, into the hands of their
enemies. Perhaps, also, he foresaw
that the Republican party Was sur
rendering principle greater than any
party, to.wit: The right OF men to
the protection of the government in
the exercise of their civil privileges.
But let 1t pass, and let 1t be forgotten.
1t is enough to say that the hands OF
ROSCOE CoNKLING were not stained
by the slightest contact with that
shameful trade and most cowardly
surrender.
SENATOR CoNRLrNG's relations with
cordial Upon the expiration of
HAYES term, leaders like CoNKLING,
LOGAN and CAMERON conceded that it
was time to give the people of the
United States Republican admins
tration. GRANT had returned from
his journey around the world,
and the old leaders looked
to him, as the only man who
could give to southern republicans the
courage to come to the ballot box and
insist that their votes be fairly counted.
Had GRANT been nominated, such
would have been the result.
CoNKLING was again at the front.
He entered into the campaign with all
his old enthusiasm. Again he rallied
the republican hosts, and again the
republicans Of New York responded to
his call.
In 1880 he appeared at tho Chicago
convention as the leader ef GENERAL
GRANTS forces. Tie republican con-
vention of 1880 was body of distin-
guished men. LOGAN, CAMERON, GAR
FIELD, FORAKER, HARRISON, FRYE
in short, all of the leaders were there.
The forces of GENERAL GRANT were
organized, compactly and could not
be broken. That struggle is fresh in
the minds of all. How the stalwart
leaders maintained the contest is
known to most OF our readers. The
lines were maintained unbroken, and
while no assault could make them wav.
er, or drive them from the position
they at first assumed and held with
such stolid determination, every at.
tempt to break the lines of the enemy
met with failure. Thus the contest
was waged, until at last the glorious
3O6 went down with the old npm-
mander.
MR.. GARFIELD was nominated, and
upon the motion of Mr.. CoNKLING, the
nomination was made unani-
nous. The delegations returned
to their respective states to
prepare for the campaign. ROBERT
son, of New York, who had bolted the
delegation of his state with eighteen
followers, came home, and it was soon
whispered over the state that at the
request OF GARFIELD he would
lead the republicans of the empire
state in the ensuing campaign. The
new leader did not deny this, and as
surned the mantle of leadership. TO
this Mr.. CoNKLrNG entered no protest.
1t was Mr.. GARFIELD's fight, and it
was for him to choose his lieutenants.
Undoubtedly, the heart and spirit OF
CoNKLING were broken at Chicago.
HANCOCK was nominated. In Sep
tember, Maine gave a Democratic ma
jority, Indiana was in doubt, and New
York seemed inclined to go for HAM
COCK. In his extremity, GARFIELD
appealed to GRANT and CoNKLISG,
who, up to this time, had been ignored.
Upon the assurances of Mr.. GARFIELD
that Mr.. ROBERTSON had no authority
to speak for him in the matter H New
York politics; and upon the further
assurance that the former policy OF APP
pointing men to office would be pur-
sued, and that as the two senators
from New York, the vice.President,
(if elected) and the governor, would be
friends, and political associates OF his'