A. GARFIELD.
The speaking on the line of the Erie road by Garfield, Harrison, and
Kirkwood was of a very high and effective character. The man who did
more to make peace than any other was General Grant. Conkling had a
genuine affection for him, and consented to go with him to Mentor;
and yet there was some trifle always in the way of a complete
understanding with the old guard of the Third-Term Crusaders.
Garfield was very sensible of and grateful for the work done by Grant
and Conkling, and did not stint expression of his feeling. The State
of New York was carried by the Republicans, and Garfield indisputably
elected President of the United States. There was a vast amount of
worry in making up the cabinet, and Mr. Conkling's hand appeared,
but not with a gesture of conciliation. He and Garfield were of
incompatible temper. Each had mannerisms that irritated the other; and
when they seemed to try to agree, the effort was not a success.
As soon as the administration was moving the President was under two
fires: one in respect to the attempted reforms in the postal service,
and the other about the New York appointments.
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