to make conventions and all else the vehicle of
disparaging Republican administrations. Some of them sat but yesterday
in Democratic conventions, some have sought nominations at the hands
of Democrats in recent years, and some, with the zeal of neophytes and
bitterness of apostates, have done more than self-respecting Democrats
would do to vilify and slander their government and their
countrymen.... They forget that parties are not built up by
deportment, or by ladies' magazines, or gush.... The grasshoppers in
the corner of a fence, even without a newspaper to be heard in,
sometimes make more noise than the flocks and herds that graze upon a
thousand hills.... For extreme license in criticism of administrations
and of everybody connected with them, broad arguments can no doubt be
found in the files of the journal made famous by the pencil of Nast.
But a convention may not deem itself a chartered libertine of
oracular and pedantic conceits."

Conkling could not comprehend why Republicans of New York should be
thought predisposed to find fault with Hayes. Without their votes he
could not have become the candidate. "Even the member from Richmond
was, I believe, in the end prevailed upon, after much difficulty, to
confer his unique and delicate vote also." New York congressmen, with
few exceptions, heartily supported the measure without which Hayes
would never have been effectually inaugurated. No opposition had come
from New York. What, then, is the meaning and purpose of constantly
accusing Republicans of this State of unfriendly bias? Wanton assaults
had been made upon Republicans, supposed to be inspired by the
champions and advisers of the President. For not doing more in the
campaign of 1876, he, an office-holder, had been denounced by the same
men who now insist that an office-holder may not sign even a notice
for a convention. No utterance hostile to men or measures had
proceeded from him. Not a straw had been laid in the way of any man.
Still he had been persistently assaulted and misrepresented by those
claiming to speak specially for the Administration. A word of greeting
to his neighbours had drawn down bitter and scornful denunciations
because it did not endorse the Administration.

"These anxious and super-serviceable charioteers seem determined to
know nothing but the President and his policy and them crucified....
The meaning of all this is not obscured by the fact that the new
President has been surroun