New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-09

On this subject the New York Standard
has a suggestive editorial:
The Senate. by larger vote than we had
expected. has defeated the treaty for the
annexation of San Domingo. 1t requires
twO-thirds vote to ratify any convention.
This was tea much larger vote against
the ratification than we had expected.
The question is still before Congress, in
the shape of a resolution of annexation
somewhat similar to the resolution annex
ing Texas. Such a resolution would, no
doubt. pass the House. We question
whether it would 90 through the Senate.
With vote so close as the vote on ratitica-
ton, it is hardly possible that majority
of the Senate would be induced to support
in another form a measure they had re-
jected The question of Senatorial pride
fearful and solemn thing-would most GER
tainly intervene. and only strengthen the
vote against annexation.
Of course the Senate simply did its con-
stitutiOnal duty in voting against this treaty
If We felt this was the exact and impartial
Judgment of the Senate, We should be con-
tent. But other influences interfered-party
opposition, personal dislike, petulent states
manship.
But for the cordial appreciation of Mr.
Sumner. or OF what the President certainly
understood to be his appreciation, this treaty
would probably not have been sent to the
Senate. The President, we are informed,
took pains to inform Mr.. Sumner of the con
tents of the treaty. while it was still secret
to himself. his Secretary of State. and the
Dominican Government. Mr.. Sumner was
Chairman of the Senate Committee of For
eign Affairs, and it was proper he should be
consulted. He was understood to express
his APPRECIATION of the treaty. The Admin
istration understood him to hold this Opin-
ion until he made his celebrated speech
against it.
We can readily understand how a man as
great as Mr.. Sumner might hastily make up
his mind to one thing. and then. after deep
and arduous study. change it. This shows
patience cOnscientiOusness and labor. and
no one should complain. But Mr.. Sumner
is a leading Republican Senator, under
Republican administration. His place is
almort that of a Cabinet officer. He a. of
necessity. close to the President and in
many respects the oracle of his foreign
policy. The President having done him the
honor to consult him on this treaty-as
though he were in his cabinet-he should
have done the President the honor of an
nOumcing the change in his views. 1t was
his duty as a Republican Senator to do all
he could cOnscientiously to prevent the de-
feat of any treaty from a Republican Presi-
dent. While he could not yOt vote for it, he
might have succeeded in withdrawing or
amending it. He was the friend of the Adj
ministration. No Administration likes to
encounter its friends in an Indian ambush.
and this is the position in which it found
Mr.. Sumner in the San Domingo negotiation.
We have so much respect for Mr.. Sumner
such high regard for his genius and his
services in the cause OF freedOm-that it is
with great pain we are forced to make this
criticism. A senator, however illustrious,
owes something to his party and the Presi-
dent. When he cannot give support, he
can show confidence and courtesy. 1t does
not appear that Mr.. Sumner did this, and
so he gravely erred.
We have discussed San Domingo so fully
that we need add no further comments.
siderations which we will soon discuss The
highest consideration now, seems to be this
Has the Republican party a president, or has
the ReDubLicaM president O party!