The Placer herald., 1870-12-31
Summers Speech on Grant and the San
Domingo Question.


We give below the telegraph report Of
Senator Summers speech on the above ques-
tion which must convince all Republicans of
the corruptons of Grant and his "ring::"
WASHINGTON, December 21st.
S,umner's speech to-day, on the Domin-
can matter, was very bitter. In the course
Of his remarks he referred to the Indignation
with which the runner had bcea received
that Bismark would take Louis Napoleon
from prison and treat with him for peace, as
a pretext for overriding the young Republic
of France. Sumnsr argued that exactly the
same policy was about to be rerorted to by
the United States in the treatment of the
Republic of San Domingo. As one of the
illustrations of this policy, tending to show
what it had cost the Government during the
last year, he read from published San Do
mingo letter Of December 9th, mentioning
the presence at adjacent points of the Swatara,
Y antic an Nantsek, United States war ships
He said that under cover of this naval force
the neghborng Republic of Hayti, the only
colored Government now in existence, had
been dictated to. An American Commo-
dore had presumed to threaten the Republi-
can Government Of Hayti. He told them
that if they undertook in any way to inter-
ferc with the Dominican Government, he
would blow down their town about their ears
An American Commodore, in the spirit of a
little boy Or titmouse, who was careful never
to fight with a boy of his size, had under
taken to insult sister Republic. If this
was on his own motion, and with
out instructions from Washington, he ought
to have been removed at once. Rather
than carry out such instructions he ought to
have thrown his sword into the sea. Sena-
tors might murmur at him (Sumner) but he
would remind them there was rule of NOR
ais and honor above all other rules. No
soldier and no naval officer should ever con-
sent to do an act Of dishonor and wrong.
This was principle upon which the Fathers
insisted in the Revolution, and their descend
ants had not failed to glorify those British
officers who refused to serve in the bad
cause. He declared the President in his
message, acting in the spirit of his Commo-
dore, had nine times menaccd the independ
ence Of the Republic of San Domingo He
would say here that the President could not
afford to throw out any menaces in the city
of Washington. or oppress the weak else
where. That savored of the too strong pol
icy of Pierce, Buchanan and Andrew John
son. In other days the President Of the
United States had attempted to change the
committee of Congress. and this session we
are called upon to witness similar endeavor.
The President was not satisfied with the
Committee on Foreign Relations as constitu-
ted for years. He has wished a change.
He asked first for the removal of the Chair
man (Sumner). Somebody told him that
would not be convenient. Laughter. He
then asked for the removal of the Senator
from Missouri (Schurz) and was told that
man vote. General merriment. lie then
called for the removal Of the Senator from
New Hampshire Patterson, who unhappily
had no Germans in bis State. 1t was final
ly settled that it could not be done. Sum-
ner said he alluded to these things with re-
luctance, and because vote could not be
reached on tho question without passing
them in review. He called upon the Sen-
ator from Indiana Morton who, the news
papers said, the President has kindly re-
ceived in the Blue Room. Morton. intss-
rupting here rose to ask the Speaker .
question. Sumner remarked that be did not
desire to be Interrupted in tho middle Of
sentence. el
Morton appearing to persist IN his inten.
ton, Sumner somewhat excitedly appealed
to the Vice President to sustain him 10 bis
right to the floor. which the Chair secasding-
ly did, and Sumner resumed
He said that vhen isasaaped = was
about calling on the SenaApr hvU hdisas -