Roscoe Conkling Letters, 1863-1884
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Conkling, Roscoe, 1829-1888.
- Abstract:
- Papers of the Utica attorney, U.S. Senator. Outgoing correspondence primarily of a political nature, which reflects Conkling's interest in Republican Party politics at the State and national levels. Includes letters to Thomas Alvord, Henry J. Cookinham, James M. Dalzell, and Edward Ingersoll.
- Extent:
- 27 letters (SC)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Roscoe Conkling Letters,
Background
- Scope and content:
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The Roscoe Conkling Letters are a collection of 27 outgoing items written between 1863 and 1864 by the Utica attorney and United States congressman. An active participant in Republican Party politics at both the state and national levels, throughout the correspondence Conkling demonstrates his loyalty to candidates as well as those who worked to secure their election. Writing to H.S. Solomon (21 Jun 1872), Conkling regrets that he is unable to attend a meeting to ratify the Republican national nominees, but states:
My belief is that Grant & Wilson will receive more electoral votes than have been given to any President & Vie President, with one exception, for thirty years, and that New York will give them a larger majority than any other state.
President Grant is stronger with the people now, than he was four years ago - he gains greatly from the scandalous assaults made upon him, and from want of confidence on all sides in the movement against him.
Thorough discussion, a full presentation of the truth, from now till November, must it seems to me leave the case the clearest ever submitted to the American people.
In the midst of another election campaign in 1877, Conkling writes "confidential" letters to Republican Party workers John N. Knapp of Auburn and Isaac Schemerhorn of Buffalo, advising them of the importance of getting voters to the polls (13 Oct 1877):
The judgment of tried Republicans from many states impresses me afresh with the importance of this election in our State, and I am able to assure you in confidence that if Republicans come out and vote we shall carry the Legislature and the State ticket by a decided majority.
...a full Republican vote means a full victory...
If you and other discreet friends knew what is known to me there would not be a vote left at home in any town in your County.
I trust this hint will lead you to increased action, and action will not fail this year.
Conkling's letters are best characterized by his use of discretion. With the abuses of public trust symbolized by Tammany Hall never far from the minds of the voters as well as the press, Conkling was aware of the need for propriety in the conduct of elected officials. Approached for support by Thomas Gold Alvord, Conkling writes (7 Dec 1871):
With or without regard to the organization of the Legislature, I shall not hesitate to say any of the many good things which I believe to be true of you, whenever or wherever they may appropriately be said.
So much should I deem only just to any friend whatever my judgment might be of the wisest selection for any place in or out of the Legislature.
In a subsequent letter to Alvord, Conkling registers an awareness of possible charges of impropriety (14 Dec 1878):
Trusting that the 'Journal' will not know that we are in correspondence, lest it should suspect you of unsafe and improper associations
Similarly, Conkling was often approached by voters and colleagues with recommendations for various appointments (David S. Bennett, E.M. Madden), and while he is always cordial and polite in the face of such suggestions, this answer to I.M. Schemerhorn is typical (7 Mar 1871):
For myself, with none but kind feelings for you, I must in this, as I do in all cases, abstain from making promises in advance as to my action in regard to applications for office, to be acted upon in future. You may however as I have often said, rest assured that I shall not forget your wish, and shall never act from any motive unfriendly to you.
In other letters, Conkling refers to sending copies of a speech he delivered on the "arms question" (Henry J. Cookinham, Schemerhorn), and in a single item to Edward Chase Ingersoll, he outlines the terms of a joint real estate transaction.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Roscoe Conkling (1829-1888) was an American lawyer and United States Senator and Representative. Conkling came from a political family; his father Alfred Conkling, was a U.S. Representative and Federal judge and his brother Frederick was also a U.S. Representative. Conkling practiced law both before and after his time in Washington, served as Oneida County District Attorney, and declined to accept a nomination to the United States Supreme Court in 1882. During more than twenty years in Congress (1859-1882) he was a Radical Republican, and was active in framing and pushing through Congress Reconstruction legislation and the second Civil Rights Act in 1875.
- Arrangement:
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Letters are arranged in chronological order.
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- New York State
Politics, government and public administration
Legislators -- United States.
Political parties -- New York (State)
Politicians -- New York (State)
Legislators.
Politicians.
Correspondence. - Names:
- Republican Party (N.Y.)
Republican Party (U.S.)
Alvord, Thomas Gold, 1810-1897.
Conkling, Roscoe, 1829-1888.
Cookinham, Henry J., 1843-
Dalzell, James McCormick, 1838-1924.
Ingersoll, Edward Chase, 1843-1883. - Places:
- New York (State) -- Officials and employees -- Selection and appointment.
New York (State) -- Politics and government -- 1865- - Indexes:
-
Selected index to correspondence
Alvord, Thomas Gold 30 Dec 18637 Dec 187114 Dec 1878 Bennett, David Smith 12 Feb 1866 Brook(s), Mrs. 9 Nov 1883 Cookinham, Henry J. 28 Feb 1872 Dalzell, James McCormick 10 Jun 1876 Hutchinson, C.W. undated Ingersoll, Edward Chase 3 Jun 1873 Knapp, John N. 13 Oct 1877 Madden, E.M. 25 Feb 1870 Russell, Mr. 1 Jul 1872 Schemerhorn (or Schermerhorn), Isaac M. 12 Sep 186429 Oct 186926 Nov 18697 Mar 187111 Sep 18714 Mar 187211 Aug 187226 Feb 187718 Apr 187718 Oct 187715 Sep 1879 Shaw, G.A. 5 Jan 1884 Solomon, H.S. 21 Jun 1872
Access and use
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- Terms of access:
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Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
- Preferred citation:
-
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Roscoe Conkling Letters,
- Location of this collection:
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Special Collections Research CenterSyracuse University LibrariesBird Library, Room 600Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
- Contact:
- 315.443.2697scrc@syr.edu