Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-16

-.
that while his colleagues insinuations had
no effect on the people of Missouri, they
seemed to have had a strong influence
upon the mind of the President. He was
convinced that the letter of the President
to the Collector of Internal Revenue at
ST Louis, condemnatory of the new
movement and the suspension of a num-
Der OF Federal officers, mostly Germans,
was instgated by his colleague. While the
interference OF the President in State cleo
tons by means of patronage had long
been considered matter of most ques-
tionable propriety and bad policy under
any circumstances, in the present case he
who persuaded the President to Interfere
proved most dangerous adviser.
He then criticised the alleged misrep-
reservations of his colleague to the Presi-
dent that the movement was designed as
war on his administration. Were he an
enemy of the administration he would no
declare the fact that the President lent an
ear TO such insinuations. To refute the
charge against himself of faction oppo-
sition, he referred to his speeches of for
mer years 10 show that he had uniformly
held that Gen. Grant, in the Presidential
chair, would have the most inviting OPP
portunities to restore the long lost cordi-
atty of sentiment among American peo-
pie and bring on new era of good feel
ing; that he would have more facilities
than any preceding administration to
effect thorough reform in the civil ser
vice and the publication of our whole
political machinery. To the administra-
ton he still gave his cordial support
in the direction thus indicated. His
friends in their movement had expected
the Presidents sympathy, and the ap-
peGrance of the ST. Louis letter was to
them powerful surprise. In those great
words, 'Let us have peace" Grant had
stood before the country not as a creator
of politicians, but as the very exponent
of moderate and conciliatory policy. If
finally the Missouri election became de
feat of the administration, the President
must look to himself and his advisers
for the responsibility. The Presidents
own principles achieved victory over
his patronage. Had he only maintained
q friendly neutrality, the success of the
B. Graft Brown movement would have
passed for triumph of the Presidents
principles, gaining him thousands of
friends, where now he had lost thousands.
1t may not be a fault but an advantage of
the Presidents that he has Tnot] opportu-
mites for acquiring an extensive political
knowledge, but the advisers who pretend
ed to be his friends ought to have fore
told the result of his interference and of
his following the example of Presidents
Pierce, Buchanan and johnson.
Passing from the perusal of letters
showing that Federal patronage in Mis-
souri, had been prostituted, giving color to
attempts by Federal officers to levy
blsckmai for party purposes, Mr.. Schurz
referred to the Presidents avow1l in
favor of civil service reform. The at
tempt at civil service reform in Missouri
was in the time of Andrew johnson to
organize bread and butter brigade, and
if this was fair indication of the Presi-
dents meaning of reform, not much value
was to be placed in the Presidents pro-
mise. He had shown the result of the
Presidents following the advice of po-
litical managers. The Lord save the ad-
ministration and the party if the same
spirit henceforward governs their coun-
sells. .-- --.---.1 .-.--. ...--.
After asserting his allegiance to the
new Republican principles, rather than to
party discipline, he concluded with Some
speculation upon the probable formation
of new party. The recent Democratic
changes of position demonstrated that a
new phase of development was upon US.
The exhaustion Of old issues and the
growing dissatisfaction and insubordina-
ton within the great parties, were confir-
matory evidences, while others, the hand
question, revenue reform, civil service re-
form, ETC., were yet ephemeral issues.
Upon the whole, while the prospect of a
new party might at present appear OBJ
scure, yet it would come with the neces-
sity of National crisis.
Mr.. Schurz ceased with the expression
of his confidence in the ability of the Re-
publican party to become that new party,
claiming for ii the possession of the
elements of healthy regeneration.
brakes RePly-His Memory is Like
POrter's.
Mr.. Drake rose to reply, but yielding
to the general disposition to adjourn, con-
fined himself to demand on his colleague
for proof of his assertion in the speech
just made that be, Drake, many years be-
fore, had o5jecten to the election of the
Hon. Jas. Rollins, his personal friend, as
Governor of Missouri, because it might
prove hostile 10 the institution of slavery
in that State.
Mr.. Schurz replied that his information
was based on letter received by him
from MI. Rollins himself.
Mr.. Drake replied that he could recol-
lect nothing of the kind, but admitting
the 5 atement, he only had TO say that the
cause must be desperate indeed which de-
pended for its vindicstiOn upon a remark
made by him thirteen years ago. He
gave notice that he would to morrow re-
ply at length to his colleagues speech.
At 800 P. NJ. the Senate adjourned.