The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-04-26
CoNKLINa IN HIS PRIME.

who knew more about law than many
an old practitioner, when, at seven
teen years Of age he entered the Office of
Spencer l. Herman at Utica. The latter gen.
tleman, whose name is familiar to all who
read the papers, was to become the future
colleague Of the young law student in the
senate Of the United StatesL Before he had
reached his majority, before no had been
admitted to the bar even, he received the
appointment Of district attorney of Oneida
county. He was admitted to the bar at
twenty-one, and Immediately commenced a
most brilliant career as lawyer. He also
began to figure prominently in the politics
of his state. He was leader by instinct, and
soon became one Ia fact. Before he was
thirty years of age he had won great tri-
umphs as an advocate. become a recognized
leader Of his party in New York, and been
elected to tho U nited States congress- Hav-
ing married a sister of Ex-Gov. Seymour, he
made his home in the city OF Utica, of which
he became mayor in 1858. He was defeated
in second contest for the mayoralJy. but
was elected to the Thirty-sixth congress.
taking his seat In December. 1859 The
fame which had gone before him, and the
brilliant powers which he possessed, enabled
him ut once to assume position Of influence
in the national legislature. He was re-
elected the following year. and entered the
special session called by President Lincoln,
July 4, 1861, with his brother Frederick.
who was elected from New York city. In
his candidacy for the Thirty eighth congress
he was defeated by Mr.: Herman, in whose
Office he had formerly been a student, but
was again successful in 1864, and resumed
his seat In the Thirty ninth congress-
HIS FORENSIC TR1UMPHS
1t was then that he began that grand series
Of forensic triumphs which have forced a
passage into history, and entitled him TO a
position In the forefront of contemporary
orators. The alignment Of McClellan's
generalship, his memorable speeches on the
questions of the war. his opposition to the
legal tender act, and his influence in direct
ing the policy of the government toward the
South, have all served to elevate him in
glory above his peers, and to establish his
reputation beyond the reach of partisan
bitterness In the autumn of 1866 he was
chosen United States senator assuming his
duties on the 4.h of March, 1867. He was
reelected In 1873, and again in 1879. Mr.
Conkling was the candidate of the Republi-
ton OF 1879. and on the first ballot re-
ceive6 oil but one of the seventy votes from
his state and thirty votes besides After the
sixth ballot the New York delegation retired
for consultation, and as the contest then ap-
peared to be one between Blaine and Hayes
the New York vote was thrown almost SOL
idly for the Ohioan. tnsuring his nomination.
In 1880 Mr: Conkling appeared in the ma
tional convention at Chicago Us the CHAM
pion of Gen. Grant. and his speech of NOM
ination, in which occurred the passage: "You
ask where our candidate halls from, and the
answer u.s. from ADpomattOx" has become
celebrated. It was Mr. Conkling, too. who
offered the resolution pledging every men,
Der OF the convention to support the nGm-
fnee, @whoever that nominee may be. "
and when three delegates voted 3no1
1t was Mr.. Conkling who offered u
the warm discussion which followed Gen.
Garfield played the part Of peacemaker, and
the incident gave him an opportunity to
make that favorable Impression upon the
convention which largely promoted hie
nomination four days later. In the diff
1875. Mr.. Conkling took conspicuous pare,
notably In the framing and passage of the
electoral commission act
Perhaps The greatest mistake in life was
his resignation from tha United States SEN
ate In 1880 It was occasioned by what he
President Garfield in insisting on the con-
armation of Gen. Robertson as collector OF
tho port Ut New York. The public were not
In sympAthy with his movement. and the
fair fame of Mr. Conkling suffered Mt the
hands OF popular resentment After retiring
to private life he devoted himself to the
practice OF law In New York city, and man
aged several important cases with great sue.
cess
.--.. C0NEIiNo AND BLAINE.
NJ. Conkling's quarrel with Mr.. Blaine
oSjnnG from personalities used In debate in