Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-09-25
POLITICAL.
Massachusetts, Republican NOmins.
lions.

MASSACHUSETTS, NCpuUliOnM NVHhh's-
Speech of Mr.. Sumner-Review OF the
Political Situation-Tho Cuba Cues
ton, &c.
Worcester, Sept. 22.--The Massa-
chusetts Republican State Convention
met this morning. The attendance
was large and enthusia stic. Senator
Sumner presided and spoke. The en-
tire State ticket was renominated by
reclamation with the exception of the
State Auditor, Chas. Endicott being
substituted for the present incumbent.
Mr.. Sumner reviewed the political
history of the country during the past
four years. OF the fifteenth amend
ment he said he regretted t TAT Congress
did not settle the wholn matter embed
led in the amendment by defining at
once the position of the republican
form of government guaranteed to each
State. The amendment had not been
adopted, and he could not say surely
that it would be.
The democratic party is aliaycd
against it, and the rebel interest unites
with the democracy. No mere text of
the constitution or the law is sufficient.
The administration must reinforce pub
lie opinion, and public opinion must re-
nforce the administration. In consid-
ering the course of the democratic par-
ty in regard to the national credit, ne
char ed them with being a party of
repudiation-a party which repudiates
the fundamental principles of the De-
claration of Independence.
1t will not do to argue that no ma
tionals. convention of the democratic
party had given the principle of repus
diation to the world as principle of
the party. He firmly believed the pa
tional debt WOULD be paid, dollar for
dollar principle and interest,in coin. He
said incur foreign relations there are
with me two cardinal principles, which |
have no hesitation to avow at all times:
First, peace with all the world; second,
sympathy with all struggling for hui
man rights. In this spirit he would
now approach Spain. He traced the
history of that country, speaking of
the patronage which enabled Columbus
to discover this new world. Ofs,l the
possessions once held by Spain in this
country, Cuba and Porto Rico alone re-
main, and Cuba is now in arms against
her mother country.
WhiIo Snaip ia ctrI1u01inos IN hold
the little that remains to her in this
new world, two questions occur--frst,
as to the duty OF Spain, and second, as
to the duty of the United States.
Quoting from French statesman words
uttered in 1850, he said that colonies
are little fruits which huid 10 the tree
only till maturity CUmes. When suitl"
Gent to themselves they will do what
Carthage did and what America will
some day do. The question is, whether
Cuba has not arrived at that state Of
maturity.
The day will come when the sover-
eighty ofany foreign power over colonies
on this hemisphere must cease. APP
plause And yet while Spain has her
duties to perform, there. remains dis
tinet policy for the United States, and
that is of strict non-intervention, except
in the way of the good offices. Spain is
at this moment engaged in a comedy
and tragedy. The comedy is hunting
for king, and the tragedy is sending
armies against Cuba. 1t is not for us to
become actors either in comedy or trays
edy. IfSpain is wise she will give up
both.
AS to the question of the. recognition
of belligerent rights Of the Cubans, we
find no government, no towns, no cities,
no judiciary, ports or commerce, to au-
thorize such recognition; and again, bel
ligerent rights should never be accorded
to any nation or country which does
not recognize the freedom Of every man.
On the subject of our relations with
England he would gladly hold his peace,
but yielding to the wishes of bis friends, !
= he would speak briefly.
He had no hesitation in saying, as he
had always said, that we, as a nation,
had suffered fearfully at the hands of
England. He did not say this in bitter
uoSb, Dut Ill SduueSS. Dut III VlCW VI aii
England's completely in ourrebellion he
would not attempt to set any price
upon the debt that that nation owes to
us; lhe would not mako any formal
demand upon that power for dollar of |
money or word of apology; he would |
leave to England, upon due considera-
ton of the subject, to offer such repara-
ton as we shall require. The question |
is asked why we do not remember our
friends in England, the workingmen of |
that country, who had ever been firm
friends of America? We do remember |
them, their friendship,and their services.
Applause.
1t is not against them that our claim |
is assessed. They are MOI England. II
is to the corporate government of Their
land that we look for reparation. Again,
it is asked why we do not lay claim
against France for injuries done us ny