The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1911-03-02
THE GOLD LEAF,
THURSDAY. MARCH 2, 1911.
Gonkling's Downfall.
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk Yirginian-Pilot
Conkling, in the opinion OF some
students of American statecraft, was
- greatly overrated man, and 1t Is
certain that he never quite got over
the verbal assault made upon nm
when. in a hapIess moment, he ore"
fire from aine.-GreensborO News.
II was not the Walls OF wrath
emptied on him by Blaine which dis
lodged Conkling from the pedestal to
which his studied pose OF dignity
and a command of stilted elOquence
had elevated him. His self-sC Efficiency
and pettish impatience OF opposition
had already weakened his prest,ge
when Blaine pierced the mask OF ms
pretensiOns with lance OF deadly
sharpness and aim. But it renamed
for l.. O. C.. Lamar, then serving his
last term as Senator from Mississippi
before his transfer to the Supreme
bench, to perforate the bladder when
had so long imposed on the pubilc
as solid substance, and to give the
finishing stroke to a reputation that
far exceeded the foundations on
which erected. COnkling had launch
ed forth into a bitter TRADE again't
the South, imputing to it as Roo
did the other day, dislOyalty to the
Union and reckless disregard OF the
laws and OF humanity. When he
concluded there was a hush OF ex-
ppctancy as to the Southern Senator
who would take up the gauntlet, Inc
silence was oppressive but brlfi.
Lamar rose from his seat and, after
recognition from the presiding officer,
crossed the aisle to a desk in the
frOnt-centre OF the chamber and al
most in q conversational tone began
his reply. From cold and explicit
denials and logical argument he
finally rose to q strain OF lmpasslOn-
ed Oratory, faying the assailant OF
his people as with q whip or scOr-
pions. Conkling lolled i'll his chair
with pretense of superclllous lndlf-
ference, changing as the dissection OF
his ISLANDERS proceeded into an attl-
tude of surprised attention. The
climax was painfully dramatic. Pass
ing Immediately to the rear OF Conk-
ling. Lamar raised his hands above
his opponent as though about to in
woke n blessing or a curse. The at
mosphere fairly thrObbed with excite
ment. Under the tension nf the
movement the audience held its
breath. Then to the gesture OfcOrO-
nation was given the words, land
now place upon you the brand and
collar of a vilIifier and ii coward"
The sibiant whisper penetrated to
every Granny of the hall and CALLER
les. Conkling's attitude relaxed and
his face famed clear red. But he
spoke never a word. He had been
touched by the spear of Ithuriel and
the pride so wounded never reassert-
ed its sway.
1t is i'll dealing with the faults OF
dead men. POsterity has already
revised the cOntempOraneOus judy
mpnt of COnkling's mental qualities.
He was snowy and cultured but with
out large endOwments, intellectual
or moral His alOOfness and fastidi-
Gus tastes gained for him the name
of being above sOrdid considerations
and much was forgiven his insOlencp
of vanity in Difference to his supposed
integrity Alas, that there should
have survived him documents to
show that OF even that virtue he was
false claimant. On the roll of pen
sioners OF the Pacific railroads dur
ing the Huntington administration
his name appears along the periodic
beneficiaries of the Legislative fund. :"
And sooth to say he was in goOdly
company: for that black list records
payments to many other members
of Congress who stood high in the es-
innate of their day and generation
and died in the odor of reputed sane
tity.