The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-01-27

/ with the eyes of rivals, Couklng had won
magnificent rcpute rs an orator, and by
the most nrduous toll was cultivnting Il.
! He unauestiOnebly aimed at pre-eminence
in the party, and Blaine felt this intutively
as soon as his eyes fell upon the man. II
was inevitable that these two should come
/ into collision, and In the course Of soma
heated remarks Blaine compared him to a
/ turkey gobbler. Tie words were no sooner
uttered than Blaine regretted 1t, and no
caused an expression of his regret TO be
conveyed to Copkling. Conkling, however,
never mentioned Blaine's name afterward
when he could avoid it, and refused many
+ tenders of reconciliation.
After Mr., Conkling's death his brother.
! Colonel Frederick A. Conkling, informed
4 ths writer Of these lines that it was a mis-
take TO suppose that the reference to a
turkey gohbler had mortslly offended
Conkling. The mortal wouudsyas given,
SO Colonel Conkling said, by Mr. Blaine
| when he caused to be read in tho house a
letter from Provost Marshal General Fry
10 himself (Blaine) in which direct accusa-
tions were made against Mr.. Conkliugs
+ Tscnniary and official integrity Conkling
told bis brother that when Br. Blaine pub
licly retracted and repudiated these uccusa-
J tions then 1t would be time to talk of re-
Cancellation.
But the incident was mighty in its con
sequences. IL undoubtedly prevented tho
nomination of Mr. Blaine in 1870 and 1880
and contributed to his defeat in 1884. On
the other hand cnn be traced to it the
causes which ultimately led to Mr.. Conk-
ling 8 retirement from the senate in hu-
initiation and to his withdrawal forever
from public life.
Mr. Blaine as Speaker.
He made a superb speaker. When he was
first elected he had hardly entered tho
Prime OF life He was only thirty nine
years of age. His hair and beard, by an In
herlted tendency, were already showing
streaks Of gray, but his complexion was
ruddy, his skin as smooth as q babes, aud
the mysterious and splendid fascination of
his eyes seemed constantly to increase with
political activity. He stood behind the
speakers desk a superb specimen of manly
strength. 1t was inyigorating to those In
the gallery and to those upon the foor to
look at him. His eyes seemed to be every
where. He bad mastered the confusion OF
sounds which prevail in that turbulent
body, as the head mschlnist is master OF
the distraction of great foundry or man
ufactory, SO that he could detect instantly
that which was relevant and of impor-
tance and that which was OF no conss-
quence
He held that great and noble body as alb
solutely at his command as though it was
family or tribe of which he was the
chief He dispatched business with celebrity
which seems incredible. The stroke Of his
gavsl meant authority, and the house
oGeyed it, and no eyes which ever looked
forth from the speakers desk upon throng
animated by the most consuming OF tue
higher passions ever commanded such obe-
dience by glance as his. Therefore he
gained the respect which comes from proper
fear, and even Democrats joined with Re.
puhlleans in saying, There is maulp 1t
was the superb exhibition Of these quali-
ties which undoubtedly suggested first to
tho congressman of his party, and through
them to vast numbers OF the party through.
out tho country, that here was tho man to
succeed in the presidency the hero of tho
civil war.
Blaine himself was an acknowledged can
didate before he had finished his second
term, and hs ussd his power as speaker un-
queshanably, so far as ne honorably could.
to create the politics which command "a
presidential nomination. Over In the sen.
ate there were certainly thrco rivals of his
for that nomination, two conspicuous-Mr
Morton aud Mr CnnklinG--and Mr. Blaine