The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-06-22
ConkIing's Tribute to Grant.

y T was the Republican convention
of 1880, held at Chicago, that
brought forth two of the most
remarkable nominating speeches
in the record of American politics
two such widely differing addresses
that in these after years, when tae
heat Of the campaign is forgotten,
they conjure up some of the excite
ment which virtually swept city off
its feet.
There were three candidates for the
presidential nomination, Grant, Blaine
and sherman. Roscoe Conkling head
ed the Grant forces determined 20
obtain third term for the Civil war
hero. II is said that he treated his
opporentc with sheer insolence, using
every tlick Of the none toe particular
politics of that day to hinder the other
candidates and help his own. His re-
markable speech opened with the dog
gerel: "When askel, whence comes
our candidate, our sole response shall
be, he halls from Appomattox and its
famous apple tree" and continuing
in part, he said;
STANDING on the highest eminence
of human distinction, modest, firm,
simple and self poised, having filled
all lands with his renown, he has seen
not only the high born and the titled,
but the poor and the lowly in the ut
termost ends of the earth rise and
uncover before him. He has studied
the needs and defects of many systems
of government, and he has returned a
better American than ever, with a
wealth of knowledge and experience
added to the hard common sense
which shone so conspicuously in all
the fierce light that beat upon him
during sixteen years, the most trying,
the most portentious, the most peril
Gus in the nations history.
"Villifed and reviled, ruthlessly as
persed by unnumbered presses, not in
other lands but in his own, assaults
upon him have seasoned and strength
ened his hold upon the public heart.
ammunition has all been '
exploded; the powder has all been I
burned once; it's force is all spent;
the name Of Grant will glitter a ,
bright and imperishable star in the !
iiadem of the republic when those
who have tried to tarnish that name
have moldered in forgotten graves, '
and when their memories and their
spitaphs have vanished utterly. !
Ellis integrity, his common sense, ;
MS courage, his unequaled experience 4
ire the qualities offered to his coun- l
.ry. The only argument, the only one
hat the wit of man or the stress of
politics has devised is one which 8
you'd dumbfound Solomon, because he |
hought there was nothing new under i
he sun. Having tried Grant twice t
md found him faithful, we are told c
hat we must not, after an interval of t
years, trust him again. S
"This convention is master of a SUI
IRENE opportunity. 1t can name the a
lext president. 1t can make sure of r
lis election, 1t can make sure not
My of his election, but of his certain u
md peaceful Inauguration. More than l
hat, il can break that power which b
dominates and mildews the South. 1t n
an overthrow an organization whose s
cry existence is standing protest c
gainst progress. n
Gentlemen, we have only to listen Il
bove the din and look beyond the il
ust of an hour to behold the Repuo- fl
can party advancing with its ensigns a
esplendent with illustrious achieve Il
rents, marching TO certain and last p
ig victory with its greatest marshal Il
t its head" ci