The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-29
THE FIGHT OYER SAN DOMINGO O.


THE FIGHT OYER SAN DOMINGO
THE fate of parties in this country has often
been more strongly influenced by the per-
sonal quarrels of prominent politicians than
by the inherent justice of principles. The
irrepressible conflict between Hamilton and
Jefferson, developed when they we're both
members of WashinRton's Cabinet, gave shape
to the antagonistic forces of Democracy and
Federalism. From Jacksons rivalry with
Clay, his quarrel with Calhoun, and his attach
ment to Van Buren an entirely new series
of political combinations were engenderel.
So, too, Van Burens jealousy of
Cass, Buchanans fight with Douglas,
and the deadly animosity of Thaddeus Stevens
to Andrew Johnson, led to the most momen-
tous changes among politicians who nomi-
nally belonged to the same party and pro-
fessed, in general terms, the same faith The
late squabble at Washington over the San
Domingo question has aroused such intense
feeling, and attracted so much attention,
that the qet5dnuncs are wondering whether
it, too, is to exercise an important influence
upon general politics. and, by causing dan
gerous divisions in the Republican party, to
hasten it's downfall. The Democracy are
hoping for some such result. During the
acrimonious debate in the Senate
over Mr.. Morton's resolution, their
leading representatives spared no pains to add
fuel to the angry flame. They may care little
whether Cassie kill Roderigo or whether
Roderigo kill Cassio but they are anxious that
there should be deadly quarrel, and as the
= e. IL
salient point of their antagonism, and Sumner
the weaker party, they back up the Massa-
chusetts Senator and pretend to discover in
him virtues which had entirely escaped their
observation during the last quarter of a CEN
tury. The World of yesterday is not only
clear that the "friends of Sumner have
right to complain of Grant," but
it warns up into a eulogy of Sumner for his
studious and laborious habits, his pecuniary
probity, and for his vast stock of knowledge
in all matters relating to treaties with foreign
nations; and it is natural to expect that a
similar tone will speedily be adopted by the
Democratic Senators and the Democratic
press. We must, therefore, anticipate that
the Democracy will make all the capital they
can out of the existing quarrel, and they will
be not at all chary in the selection of means
to compass their end. After their coquettings
with Andrew johnson, their partial capture of
| the man who above ali others is the father of
the Republican party, William H. Seward,
and their dalliance with Chief-Justice Chase,
it is difficult to say who is proof against their
Establishments, or to affirm positively that
! Charles Sumner may not become a steady
! object of their affected alteration.
So far as the intrinsic merits of the San
Domingo quarrel are concerned we think the
President much nearer right than his Sena-
torial adversary, but there is little use in
having Senate if it is to be made on all
occasions the mere echo of Presidential
opinions and while we differ from SSmner's
conclusions in toto,w do not doubt his right,
even in a narrow partisan view, to form and
adhere to opinions of his own on all issues
which are not cardinal principles of the Re-
publican party. We cannot see the wisdom
of eulogizing the acquisition Of Alaska and
condemning the annexation of San Domingo,
but a member of the United States Senate
has clearly right to adopt this course if
such be his good will and pleasure, and
he is responsible for it only to his
constituents. The practical question
likely to arise in this connection is
whether Sumner should be displaced from his
position as Chairman of the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations, on account of his hos
tility to the Presidential San Domingo policy
and we hope that before such course il
adopted the Republican Senators will weigf
we'll all the probable consequences. Lei
them if they choose utterly reject if they
will, Mr.. Summers doctrines about Ssr
Domingo or refer this whole question to
special committee of which he is not even
member, but let them pause before they
undertake to do what in popular appreciation
will under the circumstances be considered