Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-04-26
Roscoe Conkling.


of our day. ifnot of cur century, has
dropped from the horizon. Roscoe
Conkling, after brave struggle against
life's opposing forces. succumbed to in
evitable fate and is now but name and
memory. How long this name and
memory will survive in the tickle fancies
of mankind, what are his claims to pub
lie gratitude and remembrance we may
consider. For twenty-three years he
was an important political factor in
New York and during much of this time
he dominated the politics in that state
During his political career it can be
said Of him, and enemies and friends
alike grant it--that he was scrupulousy
honest, his hands were never smirched
with the touch of ill-gotten gains. the
stain Of which will never out. 1t is
singular comment on the official con-
scientiousness of our times, that one
man, among hundreds should be greatly
distinguished for his incorruptibility.
Mr.. ConkliDg was in Congress and in
the Senate, at time when the temp
tatiOn to fill ones pockets by little
chicanery were greater than they are
now, but be left Washington, when he
resigned his seat in the Senate, so badly
off financially, that it is said he borrow
ed twelve dollars with which to pay his
fare back to New York. In the practice
of his profession he made money, COM
mandIng an income of from fifteen to
twenty thousand year.
Roscoe Conkling was q somewhat
dramatic character, and his face and
figure, familiar TO every reader of Har-
per's Weekly or Puck, reflects this
quality The naughty imperious head,
the tall erect figure and the air of per-
sonal consciousness which dwelt about
him, revealed the characteristics of his
nature; perfect reliance in his own
Judgment, love of authority, and in
tolerance of criticism or dctation. He
was a man of intensely strong per-
sonality which impressed itself upon all
who came in contact with him, making
for him devoted friends and implacable
enemies.
Aggressive personality will always
prevent a man from being thoroughly
great No man can ever be great
historian, poet, or statesman who OBJ
trudes his personality into his work
The man must be lost in the cause for
which he labors. Strong characteristics,
keen insight, large perceptive powers,
lie back of all great work in any line;
but these are all enlisted, not to call
public attention to the personality of
the man, but in devotion to higher aims
Conkling demanded too much respect
to be paid to Conkling. This vanity
and self-assurance detracted some
what from the qualities which would |
otherwise have made him great. When
he would have controlled the appoint
ments in his state and could not longer,
he resigned his seat in the Senate, ex-
pecting the legislature to restore his
honors. This it failed TO do, but be put
on defeat las t'were wreath, and |
won for himself in the practice OF his
profession, fortune and fame. He had
a legal mind that quickly mastered the
complications of q case and his fine
presence and gifts as an orator made
him eminently successful.
As statesman his record is good.
He was always watchful for the finan-
cial interests of the country. He OPP
posed the salary grab; was always in
favor of measures that proposed the
abolition of Senatorial and Congress
ional privileges; he supported the
electoral commission bill; in short he
fearlessly advocated what seemed to
him wise and just measures, undeterred
BY any inducements the other course
might offer. His eloquent speech in
the convention nominating Grant, is
well remembered, and in the campaign
that followed he supported his life
long friend with what were perhaps his
best oratorical efforts. As friend he
was answering in his devotion; as an
enemy relentless. None will refuse
him now the honor which his upright
ness, his courage, his talent demand.
None will deny to him the right to be
held in tender grateful remembrance
by the country which he served long
and well The place that he viii hold
in history, time alone can determine.
Whether his name shall live among
Americas great statesmen or be but a
passing glory, matters nothing to him
now, and little indeed to those who to-
day mourn the dead statesman