Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-20
.SEN4 TOR BRAKES REPLY TO MR.
SCUURZ.

Grafton of the amnesty resolution OF Mr..
Schurz, and Mr.. Drake took the floor to re-
ply to his colleague.
After alleging that for the introduction of a
personal controversy and local political con
test into the Senate of the United States his
| colleague was entirely responsible, he said
that his motive in replying was not merely
with view to his personal vindication, but
that of as noble party as ever held the des-
| TIMES of any State of the Union. The ex-
traordinary and remarkable speech of his
colleague was without proyocaton. He could
not conceive whv the hosts led by his col
league, who had their victory when they
trailcd the republican banner of Missouri in
the dust should not have been content with
their triumph upon the soil Of that State, but
seek to carry it before the nation. Crticisng
the reference to himself, that, years before,
he had acted in the slavery interest of polit
zeal candidate in Missouri, he attributed the
| motive for the statement to the desire to hold
him up before the Republican Senate and ma
ton as an object of condemnation and distrust
But supposing he had been pro-slayery man
in 1857, did that constitute the justification of
his Colleagues act, in 1870? Though for ten
years pentent, his colleague could not pardon
| him his sin.
Mr. Schurz here desired to interpose for a
word of explanation.
Mr.. Drake declined to give way, remarking
that his colleague had over four years of sen
atorial life remaining in which to answer him
after he had gone hence.
\ Mr.. Schurz-I merely want to tell my col
league forgive him. Laughter.
Mr. Drake expressed his appreciation Of
his colleagues unexpected outburst of elem
ency, adding that, in his opinion, it was better
| to be new republican and a faithful one,
than an old and treacherous one. Applause
in the galleries, which the Vice President
promptly suppressed. He did not consider
that the title 10 Stay the party in cold blood
could be derived from longevity within its
ranks. If it coulu, then he was thankful that
/ before he could attain his colleagues Pc
Rod OF longevity, at which men learned such
wicked and murderous purposes, he would
have gone beyond the reach of those influences
into more healthtul sphere of action. He
did not wonder that his colleague had at
| tempted the vindication of himself before his
! republican colleagues in the Senate, whose
| hearts were not now touched by his chilling
presence. Whether or not his attempt at
vindication had succeeded would appear by
the verdict of the Senate which would follow
| at the end of the discussion. His colleague,
before he was two years warm in his seat, had
stuck at those who sent him to the Senate,
the possession of power could enable a man
to shed in the household of his friends, feel
| ing perhaps that he did hold the destiny of
the great republican party in his hands to do
with as he would. He SchurZ had come to
the Senate to sow seeds of dissension which
were to ripen by splitting the party in twain
| from one end of the land to the other. That
purpose his colleague entertained. 1t would
TAIL here, and his would be the fate of him Of
old, who would
.Rend the oak and think not of the bough"
Mr.. Drake then eulogized the history OF
the radical union party OF Missouri during the
last ten years; its fundamentally, with the
aid of disfrachisement measures f, in saving
the State to the Union; its sagacity in
foreseeing the necessity of removing disa-
bilties when warranted by public safety, the
credit of which was unfairly usurped by the
new liberal movement. To these measures
the loyal men of Missouri were indebted for
the protection which was denied to the loyal
element of Kentucky and Tennessee. His
colleagues victory, therefore, had been at the
expense of the loyal men of Missouri, to whom
he owed his elevation to the highest Office he
could ever hope 10 attain under the Constitu-
ton of the United States. His mode of thank
ing them was not original. Some better
justification than he had yet attempted was
necessary, else it would have been better for
him politically had he never been lorn. The
disruption of the republican State convention
and the so-called liberal movements were re-
ferred to by Mr.. Drake as features of the
Presidential scheme to give the State to the
democrats, the ostensiDle cause of the con-
troversy arising from the determination of
the majority to make the REIMBURSEMENT a
part of the platform, in advance of any ex-
preston of popular sentiment Tor or against
the proposition. The amendment TO the
Constitution being then before the people for
independent action, the minority, led by his
colleague, refused to submit to the will Of the
majority, and not only separated from the
party but began IA war against General Grant S
administration, ignoring it in their platform,
and his colleague ridiculing as fulsome fiattery
the language of the resolution on the subject
adopted by the convention Ills colleagues
attempt to defend his course upon the high
ground of principle was answered by the fact
that he had ma,le single point OF policy a
pretext for striking a blow at the Fundamental
party principle that the will OF the majority
SHOULD rule. Independence of thought and
action were well enough in their place, but
not as the means of the party destruction.
Quoting from the campaign speeches of abe
liberal candidate for governor Gratz Brown
TO show his antpathy TO the republican cause,
the speaker dismissed the SUBJECT with the
remark 'lle has gone to the democracy, and
may the Lord have mercy on his soul.
Laughter. In answer to the assumption
that the party faith was pledgedto enfranchse-
ment, he said the general amnesty resolution
of the national republican convention OF 1868
was merely an expression OF opinion that dis
abilities should be removed upon the happen
ing of contingency TO wit when they were
no longer required by public necessity that
such an expression could only have national
bearing and was of no effect in the regulation
of the internal policy ofindividual republican
States like Missouri. Among the probable
consequences ofhis colleagues course was
the election of u democrat 10 succeed him
| Drake and possible republican defeat IN
the next presidential election oy the loss OF
the electoral vote of Missouri. In regard TO