The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-13
REmoyAL OF mn. SUMMER.

bate in that body. The newspapers also
have generally commented upon the mat
Ter, and 10 many cases have adopted the
views urged by the minority of the Repub-
licans of the Senate, that Mr.. Sumner was
removed solely t, make way for the ad-
mission of San Domingo. And this state
ment is intended to show that an opponent
is prosecuted on account of opinion, and
to damage the San Domingo movement,
by showing that it was afraid to rest its
case in the hands of committee organ
ICED before IFS announcement that its
friends must pack committe ss, and resort
to mean tricks to get the measure through.
Now, we think there never was in all the
world clearer case of misapprehension
of the true Issues involved, and it is a
serious one. If it were true that Senator
Howe, of Wisconsin, who moved the
resolution aud led the debate, and the gen.
tlemen associated with him in the majority,
were governed by such motive, we might
well distrust the Republican majority in
the Senate as unworthy and unsafe legis-
tors.
We can see no Justification for the bad
temper displayed by the minority in this
case. Certainly there were Senators no
less able, devoted, pure and patriotic, who
thought Mr.. Summers removal from the
craftsmanship of the foreign committee a
wise measure of public policy, than those
who took the opposite view. The public
cannot know the facts in detail as known
to members of the Senate and, meantime,
the character of the men on both sides
should quiet any suspicious of unfair
dealing. We know that Timothy O.
Howe, of Wisconsin, would never lend his
aid to any measure that he did not believe
to be right.
For thirty years we have been intimately
familiar with his public acts, and we speak
the common sentiment of the whole
Northwest, when we say that he is as cer-
| tain to follow his convictions of duty as
the magnetic needle is to point to the pole.
His judgment, too, is not to be lightly
treated. A sound heart, with pure ju-
dical Judgment like his, is not often
far astray; and it is much to know that
its conclusions are reached by path
straight as line of light, refracted by no
prejudices or sel6shness. We have seen
him firm when assailed by great majorities.
We have seen him spurn great offices
which a single falsehood would have pur-
chased. We have seen him stand alone upon
| his own manhood when the masses of his
party led away by the delusive cry of
Estate Rights" deserted him for late con-
verts to the Republican faith. But we
saw the masses como back again, won by
his rectitude, from their error, and bear
MIN to the highest place in their gift.
His life of purity and devotion to free
dom his great powers, so modestly borne;
his tolerance, sagacity, Independence and
courage, are a guarantee that he would
forward no measure which bis conscience
did not approve. We think the minority
too hesty in their assumption. Those Of
us who are at all familiar with the Senate
are aware that Mr.. Sumner has for seve-
raj years become personally unpopular
with many members Of his own party.
The trouble, as we gather it, is that he
exhibits too much impatience and intoler-
auce of oppc ,ition. A man like him,
rising grandly above the mediocrity, il
very apt in time to acquire an imperious
and aggressive manner which renders con.
sultation unpleasant where opposing views
are to be reconciled.
Mr.. Sumner looks at things, as every
man ought, from the stand point of equity
, What the law of eternal right enjoins, tha
he would have the nation do; what tha
, law forbids, he would have tbs nation re-
I frain from doing. But while all good mer
$ agree in this fundamental axiom o
. legislation, it SO happens that they can
r not see alike the precise mode of ap
S plying it in specific cases while principle
{ are eternal, measures are temporary ex
, pedients for applying them to the busines
. of life, and the best of men will difle
: honestly, and ought to differ fraternally.
Q 1t seems to us that Mr.. Sumner ha
8 failed to exhibit 10 all cases that toleranc
of dissent, which, if not one of the highes
4 qualities of statesman, greatly appre
ciates and adorns all others. And thi
failure, we are sure, lies at the bottom 9
f this difficulty. Worn and battle-scarre
a as he is, often the target OF tiippant con
4 ceit and small jealousy in the Senate, th
: credit of his own great services, often give
> to others, his character maligned and me
n tiyes misrepresented, it is not strange ths
his noble character is little marred b
personal bitterness. While we admire an
A revere the mao, we will not be blind to an
a fault, or foible, which impairs his usefu
81 ness for any purpose.
The questions now before the High Con
i mission, including the Alabama claim
must be submitted to the COMMITTEES o