The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-04-25
ESTIMATES OF coNKLINe.
Opinions of Friends and Statesmen-Inci-
dent of the Grant Battle.

ESTIMATES OF coNKLINo.
Opinions of Friends aud statesmen-Inci-
dent of the Grant Battle.
From Wednesdays Daily Sentinel, April 49,
Genuine sorrow was manifested on all
sides last night in this city over the report
of the death OF Mr. Conkling. 1t was not
unexpected, of course, but it was never
theless a decided shock. There are but
few gentlemen here who enjoyed per-
sonal acquaintance with the ex-senator,
] ut to everyone he was one OF the BRAIN
lest men the country has produced. Re
publicans hereabouts recognized him as a
power in New York as well as in the ma
ton, and never ceased to regret his retire
ment from active political life. They
were wont torecall hismany brilliant cam
paigns, especially his effective speeches in
Indiana, and always regarded his with
drawal from politics rs an irreparable loss
to their party.
81 regret exceedingly to bear of Mr.
Conkling's death said the Hon. Benia-
min Harrison. 81 was never intimately
acquainted with him, as / entered the
senate only short time before he re-
signed. Still my recollection of him is
an exceedingly vivid one, as | was much
impressed with his ability as a scholar
and statesman. Asa power ininfuencing
his party be stood prominently head and
shoulders above the other leaders. His
aggressive spirit brooled no opposition.
His enemies were harassed with relentless
vigor, and his friends rewarded with the
utmost at his command. I well remem-
Der the impression he made in the Chi
cago convention of 1850. when such an in
tense and prolonged effort was made to
nominate Gen. Grant for third term. You
will remember that Mr.. COnkling made
the speech putting Mr.. Grant in nominal
ton and though / was in opposition
to this action, / can say with perfect
candor that it was the finest address
ever heard. l was in the Indiana delega-
ton, and right across the aisle sat the
Kentucky delegation. l was so carried
away with Mr.. Conkling's eloquence
and vigor that l freely accorded
him the most generous applause,
much to the surprise of the members of
my delegation as well as those OF the Ken
lucky delegation who watched my pro-
ceedings with unfeigned establishment.
The leader of the Kentucky delegation
came over to my seat and said: why,
general, YOU astonish me-applauding
Gen. Grants nomination when you have
made such a vigorous fight against him so
far To (which replied, with alaugh, that
| knew good speech when ! heard it, and
could appreciate 1t even If did not be-
lieve in its purport.
Eyes, Mr.. COnkling was a great man
Intellectually, and if he had only been
little more conciliatory in his manner of
dealing with men he would have attained
a much greater degree OF popularity. The
man certainly deserved the title of Stall
wart, as he undoubtedly was an unswerv-
ing member OF his party, true as steel, but
sometimes influenced too much by the
personal appeals made by his friends. His
greatest forte was tremendous power in
debate, and when he passed through this
state IN 1850, l remember that his
speeches had a marked effect and were
listened to bv immense audiences. | do
not know all about his controversy with
Gen. Garfield, but OF course every one must
admit that he made a sad mistake
when he resigned his position in the
senate. Though Mr.. Conkling was a very
influential man while in active political
life he could never have been called a
great leader as such men as Blaine,
Chandler and others were much his sup
errors in this respect. As TO his forensic
ability, / can onlyjudge ofthat by his sue
cess upon re-entering the profession in
New York city where he was thrown into
competition with the brightest legal talent
in the country. He Immediately assumed
prominent position and for the last few
years has been the recipient OF large fees
and was employed extensively in this
capacity"
Ex-senator Mcdonald said: 81 regarded
Mr.. Conkling as one of the ablest men of
his day. | served for four years in the
senate with him on the Judiciary commit
tee, which brought us in very close rea-
tons. My first impressions of the man
were not very favorable. He had manner
isms TO those not well acquainted with him
which appeared like atiectation, but OH
closer acquaintance those wore off and
his great, strong and sterling
qualities came out in bold relief.
After the death of Gov Morton he
was the acknowledged leader
OF the republican party in the senate, and
although very strong partisan did not
always act within mere party lines, but
was very much controlled by his personal
friendships and personal likes and dis
likes, and his high sense Of Justice This
was evidenced i'm remarkable degree in
his absence from the senate, and the con-
sequent failure to vote to sustain the de-
cision OF the electoral commission in
counting the electoral vote of Louisiana
for Hayes and Wheeler In fact it was be-
lieved at the time that if he could have
been sustained by sufficient number of
republican votes he would have voted to
reverse the decision OF the electoral COM
mission.
"Mr Conkling's quarrel with the Gar
field administration, continued Mr.. Nc
Donald, took him out of public life, and
the mistake he made was not in resigning