Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-29
The Rumored Difficulty Between
The President and Senator
Summer,

The Rumored Difficulty Between
The President and Senator
Summer.
There is quite an excitement in Wash
iugton circles in reference to the sup.
posed disagreement between President
Grant aud Senator Simmer. especially
since the latter genJleman's personal ex-
planation in the Senate on Thursday. An
article appeared in the Washington
Pntriot headed ''s # rita to bring AboGt
reconciliation bet twDen the President aud
Sumner" The article stated that an at
tempt had been made within tho last ten
days by mutual friends to bring about
reconciliation or at least better under
standing between the two, and that after
= consultation the President WAS ap.
preached on the subject by distinguish
cd New Enghna Senator II then pro-
ceed I'd
The President manifested good deal OF feel
ing. and utterly refused to be persuaded that the
differences could be reconcied, even to give his
consent to any movement having i'll view a re
conoiiatou. The good of the party, etc, were
earnestly urged but in vain. The President ia
response tO all suggestions Of 81 1T US have
peace replied eInPhaticaliy that Mr. Sumner
IA ld attacked him in an executive session Of the
Senate: that he had spoken bitterly of him pub
icly In the street cars and other public convey
auoes, and had grossly abused him in Ro,ton
and during the West. The President added
that, on some Of these occasions, Mr.. Sumner
aoT 81 IN, hi nd
that If he we're not President OF the United
states, he should hold Mr.. Sumner personally
esponsible for Lis language, and demand salts
faction OF him. Ths somewhat startliog talk
from a man whom the republicans have almost
worshipped as the conqueror of the rebellion put
Deacemakers to flight, for it plain that the
alive branch would not be accepted on any terms.
TIKI staff officers about the President share his
geeF q Is in this m alter, and one of them, Gen.
BaLcaelI, is reported to have gone far as to de-
clare tLG4, if he were not officially connected with
the executive, he would subject MIR. Sumner 10
personal violence This whole matter crt ates a
great deaf OF talk among those who have been
aware of its extent aud nature.
1t is believed 1hat the President has
been rnt-fuforrned respecting tho hanguns,e
of Senator Sumner. He has not said that
the President in his opinion was animated
by money motives in pursuing the San
Domingo scheme, but he has repetcdly
expressed the opinion that there was a
Job in it, and that individuals who were
to gain by annexation uere using the
President This il a serious charge if
an, body believed il, but none for a mo-
ment entertain the idea that Gen. Grant
urges the annexation from corrupt mo-
aives
It il undoubtedly true that the Presi
.deut had been informed that Senator
Sumner insinuated personal corruption
against him, and that this was the cause
of the unplessantness manifested by him.
1t was Gen B4bcock who was the army
officer to which Mr.. Sumner siIuded IT.
ia stated by the Senator'S friends that Gen.
Baboook said if he was not connected with
the President be would pull Summers
nose. This story reached Mr.. Sumner
and prompted his personal explanation.
Mr.. Sumner denies that he has ever at
tackled the Pres dent in Executive session
and appealed to his associates for veri-
Gcation or hia statement; but be had cri
ticized his acts as Senator and was
obliged to do it. In reply to the report
that the president added that on some of
these occatious Mr.. Sumner attributed !
dishonest notices to him." Mr. Sumner
says in his explanation:
Never. [ challenge every citizen of this re
public, from 0ne end of.the country to the other,
wherever l may have been, / challenge every
Senator TO testify on that point. l know too well
his position and my own 20 make any such i'm
peachments. Then as to what have said of the
President, going back again to this allegation
which is so vague, have summoned one wit
ness-the Senator from Indiana, Mr.. Morton)-
now summon two others, and hope my voice
may reach them wherever they may be- One is
the Secretary of the State and the other the Sec
Setary of the Treasury. Both are members of
the Cabinet, and have this to say-I have said
and written to the Secretary of State words of the
President and of his acts strong, at least asany
have ever expressed in the most private inter
course. l am inclined to think stronger than
have said in society. In the presence of the Sec
retary of the Treasury hard things have said of
the President, and he knows whether they could
in any way Justify this imputation. do not seek
IN any way to involve these distinguished friends,
out L summon them as witnesses. Let them tell
she President what have said of him.
This reported difference between the
President aud this distinguished Senator
is greatly be regretted. II ia to be hoped ,
it will go no farther asit is very evident ,
that the President has been greatly mis.
represented. The President is earnest in
the advocacy of San Domingo annexation :
and Senator Summer is vehement in his .
opposition to it; but it should not ho per.
sonal recrimination and ennity.