The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-23
TIE RELATIONS BETWEEN
SUMNER AND GRANT.
Mr.. Sumner Makes Statement in
the Scnnte.-IIe Denies Having Ev.
or Spoken DtSrespectfully OfGrant'

!
Mr., Sumner, obtaining the unanimou
consent Of the Senate TO make persona
statement, forwarded to the Sccretar.
and had read portions Of an article In tlli
mornings issue Of the Patriot ut Washing
ton, headed"EifOrts for bringing about
reconciliation between the President ant
Mr., Sumner" The article stated that az
attempt had been made within the las
ten days by their mutual friends for bring
ing about u reconciliation, or at least
better understanding, between tho Presi
dent and Mr.. Sumner, and that, after
consultation, the President was approach
ed on the subject by distinguished New
England Senator. II then proceeded L
state tina. the President manifested u goot
deal OF feeling and utterly refused to b.
persuaded that the differences could b.
rcconcicd, Or even give his consent L
any movement having in view u reConcll
iation. The good OF the party and Coun
try was earnestly urged, but In vain
The Presidents response to all sugges
tons was, LET us have pence.
He replied cmphatically that Sumne
had attacked him in the Executive Ses
sion Of The Senate, ind that he had spa
ken bitterly against him publicly in til,
street cars and other public cOnveyanccs
and that he had grossly abused him Il
Boston md during his recent journey
West. The President added that on som'
of these occasions Mr.. Sumner lad ut
tributed dishonest motives to him, and i
he were not President Of the Unitet
States he should hold Mr.. Sumner per
sonally responsible for the language mt
demand satisfaction. This sOmewha
startling talk from man whom the Ike
publicans have almost wOrshippcd us
conuucror of the rebellion, put tn
pcace.makers TO flight, for it was plAIl
that the olive branch would not be nc
ceptcd on any terms. The staff oItlccr
about tho President share his feelings IL
this matter and one Of them, Genera
Babcock, Is reported to have gone so tal
as to declare that if he were not official
" connected with the Executive, Ut
would subject Mr.. Sumner to persona
violence. This whole matter creates
great deal Of talk among those who hNy'
been aware Of its extent and nature. MIR
Sumner then said: "lt there were an.
reasons to believe that this statemen
would be confirmed by the newspaper, Il
which find it, l do not know that
should call attention TO it, but was up
priscd lust evening that q statemen
OF this character would be mad
by telegraph, and was asked to give /
some sanction. ! replied at once tina
nobody would have authority from INT
nor would say Il word on the subject t
any body, The evening before | was ap
prOached in the same way and each tint
rave the same answer. ! now find TIL
statement published and rs have reason
to belicvclhntit is already communicate
extensively over the country, l deem /
my duty, so far us nm concerned, to Sc
the statement right. In the first place
these are the allegations: Mr.. Sumner
attacked the President in the Executive
Session OF the Senate. lappcal to my us
sociatcs OF this chamber, one and all, ! ap
peal to my friend OF Indiana (Mr. Morton)
and | asked him to say to the Presiden
simply what he said to me personally yes
terday with regard 10 this allegation.
have never alluded to the President il
Executive Session, except in most res
pectful kindness, and challenge anybody
to say to the contrary. l have criticised
his acts us a Senator. I was obliged t
do it. So much Tor that. Then come!
the generality, to which Twill not alludc
simply on account Of its vNgucnCss,
proceed TO the next point, reading. "Tht
President added that on some otthese &C
casiOns, Mr.. Sumner had attributed dis
honest motives to him." Never. l cllal
lenge every citizen Of the Republic, iron
one end Of the country to tho other
whcrcvrrl may have been, ] challcng,
every Senator TO testify on that point.
| know too well his position and my owl
to make any such impeachment. Going
back again to that allegation, which is 81
vague, llave summoned one witness
the Senator from Indiana, (Alorlon)
now summon two others, and I hope my
VOICE may reach them wherever thel
may be. One is the Secretary Of Statt
and the othUr the Secretary Of the Treas
ury doth members Of the CNbinet), md
have this to say: have said and writ
ten to tho Secretary Of State words abOu
the President md his aCts us strOnl
ut least rs my / have ever expressed il
the most private intercourse, and | an
inclined to think stronger than hav
said in society. In the presence Of thu
Secretary Orthe Treasury hard things
have said Of the President, and lie know
whether they could in any way justiI!
the imputarion. | do not seek in MI.
way to involve these distinguished
friends, Int summon them as witnesses
Let them tell the President what l hav
said OF him.