The New York herald., 1871-03-16
SUMMERS SNARL.
The Massachusetts Lion in
His Den.
>~~~~>~>~-->-~y~~>o~>~~~~
An Interview With the De-
posed Statesman.
he FEELS LIKE EATING UP FISH.
Rough Enough ON Presi-
dent Grant.
Full Views on the Annexation
Scheme.
--~>~-~~~~~~~o~~o~-O~~~-~~
The West Indies to be Reserved as a Free
Home for the Black Race.
WASHINGTON, March IA. 1871.

slight ana day. since the late extraordinary acton
Of the Senate caucus Senator Sumner has been kept
busy attending 10 the calls OF his innumerable friends
and admirers. Your correspondent pulled the bell
more tnan once only TO find the Senator was SO sur
rounded by that there little hope OF
gaging him In exclusive conversation on the special
topic which now agltaes the country. Fortunately
we found him to-day, not alone solitary and dsen-
gagged, but full TO overnowng and eloquently CON-
municave on the subject OF his late removal. In
speaking of President Grant and Secretary Fish. the
Senator showed degree OF feeling we were unpre-
pared to expect. He was especially bitter on Fisn
and you will just read the Pre-
mcrs letter on the Motley removal you
NAV find certain Scriptural alluson
therein that gives the key TO the Senator's animus.
II is altogether private. The barDed and poisoned
shaft in that letter did It's work, and when the
Senator ceases to forge. Napoth's vineyard he may
possibly be disposed shake hands with the Secre
tary. Not tili then
Your correspondent was very cordially received
by Mr.. sumner in what he pleasantly called his
"den,n room on the second foor Uttered all over
with books ana papers. Having taken seat con-
versstlon began III this way
CoRREsPoNpENT-You seem to lie quite busy Mr..
Sumner.
SUMNER-Quite so sir. In fact, my correspond
ence accumulates rapidly that my room assumes
all the characteristics OF an editorial "den''-
tables chairs, carpet all Uttered up with papers
and manuscripts. l am Just now asserting
special part OF my correspondence In eX-
amining my letters every morning l frequently
come across some OF which say Il must lay this
aside for more careful examination at a more con-
venlent season." You see how they accumulate
CoRREsPoNDNT-You room does bear some
semblance to an EDITORS sanctum 1t must be con.
fessed When you get done with craftsmanship
why not try the editorial chair, Mr.. Sumner
The senator here laughed pleasantly and your cor.
respondent continued
BY the way, what do you think OF ST. Domingo
just now in the light thrown upon it by the events
of the past lew days?
SUMSER-Well, sir, all consideration OF the ST.
Domingo question at the present time must be or
necessity y. .eminary In ITS character. The matter
cannot in its existing phases, be discussed its
merits now. The conduct OF the administration, how
ever, in this whole business must be stigmatzed as
gross usurpaton of the war power and shameless vi
oaon OF the constitution. Grants conduct the pre-
misses is perfectly indeenspie You war is great
and tremendous evil, which must not be lightly
handled, and therefore It's exercise should be at
tended ith the greatest amount of deiberaton and
caution IL never intended in this country that
one man should have IL IN his power TO make or de-
clare war. That power properly belongs the
people 1t appertains to them in their sovereign
capacity. 1t is a legislative act. In republic the
war power must be lodged in the people, and its
control and exercise lndeleasibly belongs to the
Legislature. The framers OF the constitution with
unusual wisdom, foresaw the dreadful consequences
which would inevitably how from lodging the war
power elsewhere than in the national Legislature,
and hence they were so emphatic and implicit in
confnng this power to Congress. You see how
they have hedged the exercise OF the war power,
even on the part OF Congress- with limitations and
constitutional requirements. i wish you would
reflect upon the eXceeulng wisdom displayed by our
fathers III the provisions OF the constitution in this
matter of the war power. Any usurpation of this
power by one man, under any circumstances or
upon any pretext Is stepping stone to despotsm,
to the destruction OF constitutional freedom IL
direct assault upon the sovereignty OF the people,
and canLot be too closely scrutinzed and too
severely denounced. The control OF the war power
by Congress Is one Of the gores OF the American
constitution. IL is different with other nations.
Even IN the British constitution there Is vast dit.
terence from ours IN this respect. The Queen OF
England IN council can declare with any ma
uon-for example, with France-at any moment she
SO chooses, and Parliament has literally nothing to
say about it-has no power To stay or prevent the
operation OF war. So i'll like manner with Germany.
We aione commit the entire control and exercise OF
the war-makng power with the people, where 1t
nehtiully belongs, in the legislative branch
OF the government. Our people generally
have not paid much attention to this
matter. They never dreamed the time
would come when one man would usurp this power.
The question has not been discussed much among
the people, ior we have never had President before
who usurped the war power. Grant has done this.
He has been making war for months past, without
IL
tnority- He has consequently been in1ractng the
constitution IN the gravest manner, and his conduct
Is totally iudeiensble.
The Senator made the above remarks with de-
Liberation, devoid OF excitement but evidently
meant what ne said. AS he concluded your cor
respondent said
CoRREsPoNDENT-But Senator do you think Pre-
sident Grant looks upon this matter as violation
or the CONSTITUTIONS DO You think he knows his
views OF the question are so widely different from
yours
suASER-HeY What does Grant knowP He
doesn't know anything, sir. do not accuse him OF
any knowledge whatever. He Is not man capable
thing in u comprehensive yiew lie does not under.
stand the primary elements OF the constitutional
Requirements lor war. All he knows Is how 10 exc
cuts. sut hiln on horse and he'll blunder along
somehow In the field. There's where his vocation
, ends. as-Fscs-e~-~--
= CoRREsPoNDES--It seems generally conceded,
Mr.. sumner, that the selection OF your successor
for tie chairmanshp OF the Committee on Foreign
Relations IS falling on' In fitness If not in dig.
nity
SUMSER-I have very little TO say about that !
Will confess that my displacement from the chair
manshp or that committee, especially under the
circumstances, Is unpleasant 10 me- Besides, am
getting DID, now, too old 10 engage IN controversy.
have never been inclined that way and do not
feel as n cared be drawn out now and In such
controversy.
CoRREsPoNDENT-At any rate, Mr.. Sumner, you
have the satisfaction OF Knowing that you have
faithfully performed your duty as you understood
Al. If ans man can say with ST. Paul, then GER
tAinfy yon can II have fought the good nght nave
kept the faith, have finished tue course: hence-
. W "Eruy Sb-Yes. / am gratined in being able
10 say have seadIany "a done renrdasn ms aI my
nov nj n is very gratifying to Know tnat
see sSe country seems ready TO endorse my position
against tnose wns have assaulted me, ins s,r
asce of support from the people Is very peasan' sa'
neca,lv a:ter the persistent and systematic mrs
represcnIaons made concerning me py , Tue the
isirafIon why sir the country does no. AnV" ,,n e
n.,en, and the yileness Of the manner III "nioh
nave been misrepesenied have RePs & u nartv sT and
sn.onse MAS willing TO suffer personally al. .ni,s
,rn, v.1 man bai m ia tie slightest degree siouIo
IN n IN