Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-04-22
The Breach Widening.

III eighteen states winch sustain Mr.. sum-
ner in his opposition to the Presidents
San Domingo job, and says: {" We have
omitted the names of many newspapers of
great local influence. for which we have
not space; but it would be difficult to find
dozen Republican journals which favor
the scheme. The terms in which this OPP
position to the President is expressed, ad-
nit of no compromise short Of the veriest
qualification on the part of his opposers.
The split in the Republican party is as
clearly defined and as irreconsilable as was
that between the supporters of Mr.. Buch-
anan and those of Mr.. Douglas in 1860;
and General Grant stands no more chance
Of recovering his position as the leader of
the united Republican party than did Mr..
Buchanan to unite the Democratic party
upon himself as the leader at that time.
Mr.. Sumner arraigns the President for
high crimes and misdemeanors in Office,
and sustains his charges by documentary
evidence far more conclusive than any up
on which Andrew johnson was presented
for impeachment, and all of Mr.. Summers
supporters endorse this Indictment In
recent interview with correspondent of
the New York Herald Mr.. Sumner said:
All consideration of the San Domingo
question at the present time must be Of
necessity preliminary in its character. The
matter cannot, in its existing phases, be
discussed on its merits now The conduct
Of the administration, however, in this
whole business must be stigmatized as a
gross usurpation of the war power and a
shameless violation Of the Constitution.
Grants conduct in the premises is perfect
ly indefensible. You see war is a great
and tremendous evil, one which must not
be lightly handled, and therefore its exer-
else should be attended with the greatest
amount of deliberation and caution. 1t
was never intended in this country that
one man should have it in his power to
make or declare war. That power properly
belongs to the people. 1t appertains to
them in their sovereign capacity. 1t is
legislative act In a Republic the war
power must be lodged in the people, and
its control and exercise indefeasibty belongs
to the Legislature, The trainers of the
Constitution, with unusual wisdom, FORE
saw the dreadful consequences which would
inevitably flow from lodging the war power
elsewhere than in the national Legislature,
and hence they were so emphatic and i'm.
plicit in combining its power to Congress.
You see how they have hedged the exercise
oft he war power, even on the part of Con-
gress, with restraint and constitutional re-
quirements. I wish you would reflect up
on the exceeding wisdom displayed by our
fathers in the provisions of the Constitu-
ton In this matter of the war power. Any
usurpation of this power by one man, un-
der any circumstances or upon any pre.ext,
is stepping-stone to despotism, to the
destruction of constitutional freedom. 1t
is direct assault upon the sovereignty of
the people, and cannot be too closely
scrutinized and too severely denounced.
The control of the war power by Congress
is one of the glories of the American Con-
stitution. 1t is different with other nations.
Even in the British Constitution there is
a vast difference from ours in this respect.
The Queen of England in council can de-
clare war with any nation-for example,
with France-at any moment she chooses,
and Parliament has literally nothing to say
about it has no power to stay or prevent
the operation of war. So in like manner
with Germany. we alone commit the en-
tire control and exercise of the war making
power with the people, where it rightfully
belongs, in the legislative branch of the
Government. Our people generally have
not paid much attention to this matter.
They uever dreamed the time would come
when one man would usurp this power.
The question has not been discussed much
among the people, for We have never had
a President before who usurped the war
power. Grant has done this. He has
been making war for months past, without
any shadow of consideration for the legis
lative authority. He has consequently
been infracting the Constitution in the
gravest manner, and his conduct is totally
indefensible
The Senator made the above remarks
with deliberation, devoid of excitement,
but evidently meant what he said. As he
concluded your correspondent said:
Correspondent-But, Senator, do you
think President Grant looks upon this
matter as violation of the Constitution
DO you think he knows your views of the
question are SO widely different from his?
Sumner-He ! What does Grant know
lie doesn't know anything. sir. do not
accuse him of any knowledge whatever.
He is not man capable of understanding
principles or of grasping anything in a
comprehensive view. He does not under.
stand the primary elements of the consti-
tutional requirements for war. All he
knows is how to execute. Put him on q
horse and he will bluuder along somehow
in the field. There's where his vocation