, 1888-04-19
run DEAD SENATOR.

hard struggle for life, but with all OIL
his remarkable physical strength ms
excellent constitution and the most
skilllul medical uid that could be oo-
tanned in America, he yielded to the
inevitable fate that awaits us all.
Mr.. CoNKlING was born at Albany,
New York, on the 30th day of October
1929. In 1916 he moved to Utica, a0e
twelve wears later was chosen mayor
of the city. / he same year he was
elected to congress. in which body ne
continued to serve, with the exception
of one term, until 1867, when he was
promoted to the United States senate.
He was three times elected to the sem
g, and was serving his third term in
that body when the quarrel between
him and BLAINE eliminated in his
resignation from the senate and public
life.
MR, CoNKLING was q man OF ihhn'
ence in the lower house Of congress
from the time he entered that body.
Indeed, he was one OF the Re-
publican leaders on the floor;
but he did not stand before the coun-
try as q conspicuous national leader
until the preliminary contest in the
second GRANT campaign opened in
New York. FENToN was then SENA-
TOR CoNKLINo's colleague in the SEN
ate. Mr.. FENToN and Mr.. GREELEY
had consolidated their forces against
the administration, and with SUMNER,
SCHURz, TRUMBULL, and other old and
conspicuous leaders OF the party, had
decreed that GENERAL GRANT should
not be re-nominated. CoNKLING and
FENToN were the generals in charge OF
the respective factions in the New
York convention. II was CoNKLING's
first great fight for leadership in New
York. FENToN had skill, and the wis
dom which experience alone can give.
CoNKLING had youth, boldness, energy
and confidence. FENToN directed his
forces from the senate chamber.
CoNKLING assumed command on the
floor OF the convention in person. 1t
was long and bitter struggle, but
the Stalwart's wonderful gift
as an orator, and his bold
and confident leadership. carried
the day.
GRANT was re-nominated. From
the date Of CoNKLING's triumph in the
state convention, he became the un-
disputed chief of the republican party
in the state. But Mr.. GREELEY, Sena-
tor FENToN and their associates, who
had so long held undisputed sway in
the Empire state, did not propose to
submit, and forthwith organized the
forces in opposition to GRANT, and
sought new alliances for the approach
ing campaign. Meantime SUMMERS
great and powerful guns of oratory
were playing upon the white house
from the Senator's masked battery in
the senate chamber. CALL ScHURz,
LYMAN TRUMBULL and TIPToS We're
riding their light oratoricsl cavalry
up to the very headquarters OF the
old commander.
Then came the Cincinnati coiven-
ton and the unfortunate nomination
of GREELEY. At first it seemed as il the
liberal nomineee would sweep New
York like II hurricane. The clouds
seemed to be gathering around the
hitherto invincible legions of the great
soldier. Many of the leaders of the
party had deserted and were actually
fighting in the ranks of the enemy.
Others were luke-worm, not altogeth-
er satisfied with the looks of things,
and perhaps distrustiul of the ability
OF the new chief to carry them
through. Still others sulked in their
tents. II was CoNKLING's opportunity.
1t was great battle, and the rights
of men were staked upon the result.
The Republican party was struggling
for existence, and fully half of its
wonderful career lay before it. Sena-
tor CoNKLING welcomed the contest
as the war-horse welcomes the bugle
call. His Brooklyn speech was the
opening OF GRANTS second political
campaign. 1t was one OF the New
York Senator's grandest efforts. The
Republicans of New York Immediate
ly commenced an aggressive fight