The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-10-14
SONORA. TUOLUNzNE COUNTY. OCTOBER IL, 1871.
Carl Sehurz ON Grant.


In his late speech at Nashville, Senator
Schurz gave his reasons for opposing the re-
nomination of Grant, as follows:
When |. the other day. in public speech
at Chicago. declared that | would not Support
President Grant for reelection on account of
the fragrant violation Of the Constitution
be has committed in the San Domingo case. a
great many of my Republican brethren were
shocked beyond measure, and raised cry of
high treason against the party, while some of
the feeble in mind exclaimed that my making
such declaration was sure sign that
must have beea disappointed in the matter of
patronage. | may assure them that | spoke
with cool and mature delberation, for it will
not do to triie with sdch cases will not
here argue the San Domingo matter over
again, but will say simply this: When q
President orders the navy of the United States
to foreign country, and without condescend-
ing to ask Congress for authority, instructing
our naval officers to protect and defend the
chief of a foreign government against any for
egu enemy, and even against his own sub
lects and countrymen: and when be does this
not only when negotiations are going on with
that foreign government, which negotiations,
however, would not confer upcu the Presi-
dent the autocratic power to resort to meas
ures of war Mt his own pleasure; but even af-
ter the result Of such negotiations in the shape
of treaty have been formally and solemnly
rejected by the Senate, and we have relations
with that foreign government and people but
the ordinary relations of peace-wheu. Pres
dent does that. then he arrogates to himself
one of the most important powers belonging
to the representatives OF the people; be vlo-
lates the Constitution in all of its most vital
points, and he constitutes himself the arhiter
of peace and war for this great Republic.
And when | am asked to endorse such an act
by supporting that President for reelection,
and thus aid in sanctioning by popular vote
such an act as o precedent-a precedep:
which, if taken as rule of constitutional
construction would authorize the President
alone to initiate war, under almost any cir
cumstances, and make this Republic virtual
" a monarchy as to the question of peace
and war-then I, as faithful citizen of this
Republic, who has sworn to support its Con-
stituton, say, 81 will not do it.' l will not
help to re-elect an officer whose reelection,
sanctioning his previous acts with popular APP
prevail, will be justification and encourage
ment to all future Presidents in committing
acts of ursurpation still further reaching. /
of sponsibe personal government in this
Republic; and when | am told that by such
opposition other grave interests may be ieop-
ardized, | answer that | an very doubtful
whether the wanton levity with which our
Presidents are to be permitted to play with
the peace and honor of the people, and the
general decay of constitutional notions, do
net constitute, in their inevitable consequent
ces, as great a danger, and perhaps even
greater than any now within sight. And
when | am tauntingly reminded by pliable
partisans that the people do not care much
about these constitutional questions, answer
that if there are any who do not care about
the integrity of their republican institutions,
this constitutes only stronger reason why
those who do care should make themselves
heard, and act with determination. | am
frequently reminded that declarations like
those Lave just made are apt to prove ruin
Gus to public man. Be it So | take the
risk, for am in earnest, and am sure the
day will come when many of those who now
shrug their shoulders at my protests aid pre-
dictions will. to their sorrow, admit that |
was right, unless this tendency be speedily
arrested.