The Portland daily press., 1867-05-29
DAILY PRESS.
ND.
Wednesday Morning. May go, 1867.



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Senator Sumner ON the Russian Treaty.
Mr.. Summers speech ON presenting the Rus
sian Treaty to the Senate for confirmation has
been published, and we copy to-day those por-
tions which relate to the motives and history
of the transaction. The speech is one of Mr.
Summers most elaborate efforts. He narrates
the history of the Russian discoveries in
America, discusses the title to which we sue
eeed, describes the Russian system of govern
ment in that remote region, gives an account
OF the various races which dwell there, of the
geography, climate and products of the land
ana sea, and adds catalogue of the principal
DOCKS ON Russian America. 1t is understood
that the speech has been enlarged and elabor-
ated In some directions since its delivery, but
the arguments by which the Treaty was com
mended to the Senate are probably up-
changed. ....
The motives OF the Russian Government, as
understood by Mr.. Sumner, are simply those
which any careful observer OF the course of
events in Europe would name. With the
Eastern question smoking like volcano, Rus
sia does not care to hold outlying possessions
which might cost more for protection than
they are worth. perhaps" says Mr. Sumner,
using almost the same words which appeared
ia these columns when the treaty was first an
nounced, perhaps, like a wrestler, she now
strips for the contest" That the Russians
should prefer to dispose of their possessions ON
this continent to a friendly power, rather than
to the English who were but recently and may
soon be again in arms ON Russian soil, is an
other obvious consideration.
The revelations begin when MIR. Sumner
comes to speak Of the American side of these
negotiations. The matter was brocahed, it ap-
pears, during the administration of President
Polk and was under consideration during sue
cessive Democratic administrations till Bu-
chanan's left the country reeling into the gull
of civil war. When We emerged from that
fearful chaos and when by the death OF Lin
coin another Democratic President had been
called to the White House, the negotiations
with Russia were renewed. On the Pacific
coast there was strong desire, if not for the
title to Russian America at least for new facil-
tiles for obtaining the products of that region.
In California company was formed, which
sought to obtain from the Russian Government
license to gather furs between 81 degs 40 m.
and Mount st. Elias, whenever the lease to the
Hudson Bay Company should expire. The
Legislature of Washington Territory asked the
President to procure free fishing privileges for
American vessels on the Russian coast. The
Californians were receiving their ice from fresh
water lakes near Mount st. Elias. The numer.
Gus harbors north of Puget Sound were con,
trasted with the long line of coast from Pana'
ma to the northern boundary of the Uniteo
States, broken by only single indentation al
San Francisco. AS the conception of Paci.
fc and Atlantic railway began to take practi
cal form, it was seen that the rich commerce o
China and Japan was within our reach, ant
the advantages of a route from San Francisc
UiG the Aleutian Islands over the common
route by the Sandwi ich Islands became mani
fest. The distance to Hong Kong by the com
mon route is 7140 miles, by the Aleutians 6O6O
a saving of over thousand miles, with the ad
ditional advantage of a reduction of the peces
sary supply Of coal. With the Northern raei
fic railroad completed to Puget Sound, al
some day it must be, these advantages will bt
greatly increased.
1t must be conceded that these considera
tions are very weighty. Yet as Mr.. Sumner
says, a difference of opinion with reference tt
the urgency of negotiation at the time wher
the treaty was urged upon the Senate, is easil,
conceivable. Russia might have held posses
sion for decade longer, giving us an opportu.
nifty to complete the work of reconstruction
consolidate our national debt, settle our sys
tenn of taxation, and make some progress with
our Pacific railways, before burdening our
selves with the annual outlay which this pur
chase compels. The solitary reason which Mr.
Sumner urges tor departing from this judic
ious policy, is the fact that 1.-The bargain was
concluded" But who concluded it? Who
could conclude treaty without 1.-The advice ano
consent ofthe Senate? Nobody 1t was al
act of usurpation for the Executive to assume
to Conclude treaty. The Senate was al
free to accept or reject the proposition as i
would have been before the treaty was signed
If the Senate had been consulted in advance
as it should have been, who doubts that tn,
more prudent policy would have been adopt
ed? 1t would have been useful lesson to thi
and to future Administrations, if the Senat,
had put the seal of its condemnation upol
this independent manner" of negotiatin
treaties, which Mr.. Sumner, while yielding fec
bly, "hopes" may not be drawn into a prece
dent. 1t is precedent and vii
unquestionably be followed until ol
some future occasion the Senate assert
its dignity. The value of our new possession
is incontestably great 1t is better to hav
them now and thus perhaps, than not at all
but ! review Of the whole transaction show,
too clearly that if the Senate had been season
ably consulted the same advantages might un-
have been secured at more favorable oppor
tunity. N"