Middletown transcript., 1869-04-10
senator spragus turning states evidence.


choicest, but he has given several very
marked illustrations of an ugly tendency
to disturb the equanimity of his Radical
colleagues and ruffie the self-complacency
which seems in these latter days, to be a
distinctive Senatorial attribute, by the ut
terance of awkward truths at very inap-
propriate moments. Sometime ago he
presented his views upon the questions of
finance and reconstruction, and demon
strated to the satisfaction of all business
men, if not to the conviction of Senators,
that the misgovernment of the Southern
States, the repression of their industry
and the obstacles opposed by Congress to
the restoration of their prosperity, were
the real sources of the existing financial
embarrasments and uncertainties. Speak
ing from business point of view, as a
manufacturer and capitalist who had large
interests, both at the North and the South,
it was not strange that his conclusions
startled the politicians and partisans who,
to use his own expression, sacrifice the
welfare of the people to build up the in
terests of party. To this speech, we be-
lieve, no answer was vouchsafed at the
time; and fulfllmont of its predictions
has made reply to it now impossible.
During the discussion of last week upon
the Tenure Office law another utterance
fell from the lips of the Rhode Island SEN
ator, still more decided and startling, be-
cause OF its bold and defiant arraigpment
of the legislation of the country
d" In our late war;" said Mr.. Spargue,
there was not one virtuous or high h-toned
principle animating the contestants 1t
was nothing but struggle for place and
power commenced here in this body, and
permeating throughout the country" And
referring to the usurpations of the Senate
during the last six years, he added: $50
concentrated were its power and influence,
that L would rather have stormed a triple
line of bayonets or park of artillery in
full play, than to have stood up here and
opposed any of the measures of the majority,
bounded and hunted down. 1t is not strange
as any one who pretended to do so was
that theme thus touched grew upon his
hands. From the beginning of the war,
throughout its whole conduct, and thence
tracing the course of Congressional legis-
lation since its termination, he proceeded
to point out the utter want of wise and
patriotic craftsmanship, the selfish and par
tisan influences which have controlled all
legislation, the absence of intelligent re-
gard for the prosperity of the people, and
the distinctly indicated disposition to sac
rifice every interest relating to their per-
manent welfare, to the attainment of mere
purposes of party.
We do not propose to make further
quotations from this speech. 1t possesses
the value which belongs to every utterance
of truth; it is entitled to the respect which
is due to honest sentiments bodily express
ed and it loses none of its effect because
no one of those whom it has so severely
criticised has attempted to break its force
by controverting its positions or denying
its conclusions. But its principal value
consists in its confessions. Mr.. Sprague
is Radical Senator froE New England
State. He belongs to the party which he
condemns. He occupies seat in the body
which he arraigns. He is one of that
overwhelming majority in the Congress
which he proclaims to be =" entirely def
cient in the qualities which can secure wise
legislation" He has been familiar with
its secret councils and caucuses, and has
united in the execution of their edicts by
the formal enactments of statues to give
them force and effect. Testimony like this
can not be impeached; and the Judgment
which thoughtful men have long since
formed OF the weakness, tyranny and in
competency of the party that Expresses and
degrades the country, is strengthened and
sustained by the deliberate statements it
presents.
The fact is, what we have been in the
habit of designating as American states
manship has been for many years pre-
tence and delusion. The mere routine OF
legislation or the administration of gov
ernment according to established rules and
precedents, call forth none of these high
qualities which belong to the true states
man. 1t is his to deal with the sudden
and startling exigencies of government
exigencies which demand the highest wis.
dom, the purest patriotism, and that con.
scientious appreciation of the demands o.
public duty which subordinates every per.
sonal or party consideration to the general
welfare of the people. Tried by sucl
tests, where shall we look for statesman
ship at the present day? Do we find i
in Senate which has devoted every en-
ergy to the aggrandizement of its own
power? In House of Representative
which stiles debate, brooks no opposition
and records with hot haste the secret de
crees of an irresponsible caucus? In az
, Administration whose efforts are devoted
| to the distribution of public patronage ant
the bestowal of partisan rewards? Is i
shown in the condition of the so-called re-
constructed States of the South? Is it tt
be traced in Virginia, where every lega
tribunal is closed, and the ermine stripped
| from the shoulders of every judge? II
Tennessee and Arkansas, where the petu
liant edict of usurping authority has placed
the people under the iron rule of martha
law, and harried whole counties with fir,
| and cruord9 Tn NorkI 1 ~