Year: 1877




infused a great deal of animation into the pol


itics of the country. They were dull enough


before to stand in need of quickening infiu-


ences. The happiest criticism on the Roches-


ter Convocation that I have seen or heard was


made by an ancient veteran of the cause who


said it was the first occasion since the inau-


guration of Hayes on which Republicans had


given voice openly to their real opinions. There


is good deal in this. 1t was generally UNDER


stood that there was to be neither censure nor


applause of the administration; the censure


to be withheld because 1t would seem ungra-


cious to visit it upon President chosen by the


Republican party-the applause to be denied


because the bestowal of it would have had the


appearance of insince rity and hypocrisy. The


platform, which is the real and only exposition


of the views of the majority of the delegates


follows strictly the course indicated. There is


nothing in it which any rea sonable person can


find fault With. And in fact the only excep-


ton taken to it is in regard to its omissions.


But considering the composition of the conven-


ton, silence on national topics was forbearance


and magnanimity.


In the first place three quarters of the whole
body were infexiblySopposed to endorsing the
cardinal measures on which Mr.. Hayes has
appealed to the country. We hear great deal
of nonsense about this being Mr.. Conkling's
convention; as if any man, however command
ing his ability or exalted his position could
mould to his will three hundred representatives
of the people of the greatest state of the Union
and make them follow his dictation and do his
bidding. Mr. Conklng was the master spirit of
the scene simply and solely because his views
of public questions harmonize with those of
his constituents. He has done nothing of any
consequence towards fashioning the conven-
ton. There wasn't the slightest necessity for
his doing anything at all. There were plenty
of people willing and waiting to take that con-
tract. 1t is a wanton insult to the Republicans
of the Empire State to allege that they are the
mere instruments of a willy leader. 1t is one
of those low, petty sneaking fctions that con-
tradcts itself the moment it is held up to the
light. Mr.. Conkling dominated the conven-
tion because he reflected the sentiments of
three out of four of the men who sat in it, and
an equal proportion of the voters Of the state
who sent them there.


Still there wasian inclination on the part of
the majority to pursue a mild and temperate
course. But the minority assumed the aggress-
i've twenty four hours at least before the meet
ing was convened. Mr.. Curtis madesproclama-
tion thatIhe should insist upon definite action in.
reference to the Presidential programme. He
had his little corps of followerswelln in hand and
| they joined him in the imperious demand 1t
was lreally this undercurrent of feeling that
inspired the speech of the temporary chair


man. He got excited and talked his mind, in
stead of minding his talk. He succeeded in
| fact in raising storm, which didn't subside
| during the remainder of the convention. He
exasperated the endorsing fragment, who
| made up for lack Of numbers by energy of vo-
| ciferation. After that all hopes of the placid
| ity of truce were at an end. There was
good deal more sincerity and less amiability
/ about the subsequent proceedings. The ad-
| ministration party assumed the offensive and
| held the position till they were oyerpowered
by IA superior force. Then they retreated in
| disorder, and have since been exhibiting their
wounds in the market places, with considers-
| BILE dramatic effect.


The reports given by the metropolitan news


papers of what transpired in this body after the


first hour are all grossly inaccurate and dis


to rted. The platform appears of course in its


orig 'iral text, and any one who will take the


trouble to peruse it, will see how completely it


negatives the current statements in respect to


Mr.. Conkline's attitude. The Senator did not


saw anything for or against the administration.


He ayailed himself of the opportunity to dev-
er magnificent philippe against that spirit of
pessimism which displays itseT in constant de-
probation of American institutions, in gross


Misrepresentation of the acts and motives of
our public men, in calumnies against the integ-
rity of official conduct in our country,-which
as far as they obtain credence are calculated to
bring odium upon Republican form of gov
ernment, and discourage the ettorts OF gallant
men in foreign lands to secure to the people
larger freedom in the exercise of their civil
rights 1t is very likely that the Senator per-
sonal experience of the injustice and brutality
of this sort of censorious literature served as
barb to the arrows of his brilliant rhetoric He
is certainly distinguished example of the
powerlessness of spotless integrity. chivalric
| sense of honor and eminent talents to protect
man from the acrd torrent of vituperstion
which flows in one black sea OF printers ink
| through every channel of politics in the land.
1t was no slight ompliment-albeit not SO
meant perhaps-which Mr.. Conkling paid to
| Geo. William Curtis when he selected him as
| the target at which to aim his volley OF pol
| ished rebuke and incisiye irony. 1t was some