Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-05
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. G. April 3.


ed its galleries. BY o'clock patient and prudent
people began to arrive, determined to secure eli
gbe seats even at the expense Of four hours of
tedious waiting. By II o'clock every seat was
filed, the aslcs were packed, and the last inch Of
standing room was occupied. Every door around
the gallery was crowded with a swarm Of people
extending far back into the corridor. From every
entrance to the Capitol continuous streams Of peo-
pie came hurrying in, who rushed frantically from
one door to another, vainly hoping to find place
whore they could at least obtain distant view Of
the chamber Failing in this they continued for
hours TO wander around the outskirts Of the
crowds in the corridors, gazing at the distant
doors in hopeless disappointment SO great was
the pressure that the portion Of the gallery resery
ed for the Diplomatic corps was Mt an early hour
filled with the lady members Of the families Of
cabinet officers, Senator's and other high officials
When at last the members and families Of the Di.
plomatic corps arrived they were provided with
seats upon the floor Of the Senate
After the Senate had been called to order Mr..
Fenton called attention to the fact that hundreds
Of ladies were in the corridors who had been una
bic to gain admission to the galleries lie there
fore moved that the cloak rooms surrounding the
Senate be thrown open, which was done, and the
crowd poured in like water rushing into yacu-
um. 1t was notable fact that large proper
ton Of the visitors were of the class who style
themselves old residents, who were known as
rebel sympathizers during the war, and who are
bitter democrats since. These BourbOns have not
been much in the habit Of visiting the Capitol Of
late years. They, rs well as most Of the others,
were not so much attracted by newly excited
admiration Of Charles Sumner, as by the cxpec-
tation that he would open his batteries upon Cen
eral Grant and his administration. In this, alas :
they were not altogether disappointed.
The Speaker commenced at ~ O'Clock in his
usual slow, deliberate, and lorcbe style, and con-
tinued without interruption until nearly o 'clock
Not exnctly without interruption, however, for
he was twice obliged to interrupt himself to ad-
minister wel-descrycd rebuke to the Senator
from New York
Mr. Conkling, whose seatis very near Mr.. Sum
ner, during the early part Of the Speech endeay-
ored to show that he did not regard it as worth
listening to, by paying no attention thereto, and
by assiduously deyoting himself to his private
correspondence, firing at last Of this, he finally
turned around and commenced making remarks
to and engaging in conversation in loud tone
with other senators, to the evident annoyance of
the speaker and the disgust Of the vast audience
Mr.. Sumner at last politely requested him to con-
duct his conversation in lower tone, which had
the effect of abating the nuisance for short time
Forgetiul alike Of the reproof and his good breed
ing, Mr.. Conkling soon INDUCED in a reckless
repetition of the offence. Mr. Sumner at last ap-
pealed to the Chair, who caused the rule Of the
Senate to be read with an ntimation that hereaf.
ter it would be enforced. This brought him to a
decent regard for the proprieties and Mr. Sumner
proceeded without further interruption
cannot give within the limits OF letter any
report Of speech that required four hours for it,
delivery, and that occupies twenty-four closely
printed double column pages. Like all of Mr.
Sumner efforts, it was characterized by SPLEEN
dor of diction, power, illustration and evidence Of
studious preparation. 1t was not always logical
and often unfair. lie labored to prove that the
President had exceeded his constitutional limits,
and violated international law in forcing an un.
willing consent to annexation from the people Of
San Domingo, and in ntimidating the neighbor-
ing republic Of Ilayti.
Few who listened to or who may read the
Speech even among those who sympathize with
him in his opposition to San Domingo, will be
thereby convinced that the President has been
animated BY any motive other than an earnest re-
gard for the interests of the country The speech
will add little 10 summers reputation as states
man, md nothing an orator. 1t was delivered in
a slow and labored style without animation or eff
fort at effect His voice seemed to have lost the old
riug with which Of old he sounded the charge in
the crusade against slavery With the exception
ofone or two passages, when the trumpet sound
ed again for a moment his voice was weak. husky
and unpleasant. Notwithstanding these unpleas.
ant features, the speech was listened to through
all the hours of its delivery with strained atten-
ton, and it was evident that TINS far he had the
sympathy Of the audience. They regarded with
admiration the ponderous strength with which
he smote the battlements Of annexation. But
after he had demolished the fortress, it was with
surprise that they saw him commit the ungracious
act of attempting to torture the garrison. When
he denounced the President as the chief of a San
Domingo Ku klux, and accused him of having
done less than his duty in attempting 10 control
the ku Klux Of the South there was at first a
startled hush and then a universal recon Of SYM
pathy from the speaker Every one felt the Bit
ter and cruel injustice of the untruthful remark,
and sorrowed that Charles Sumner could war with
such weapon. The recoil produced by the las,
shot will damage the gun more than the object at
which it was aimed
1t singular and significant fact that this
speech is being extensively circulated in Connec-
ticut, as Democratic campaign document
was informed at the Congressional Globe Office
that they had received from Senators and mei,bers
of Congress- orders for five thousand extra copies
OF the Globe containing the speech, not more than
one hundred Of which were from Republicans
May not Mr.. Sumner well ask " What have
done that mine enemies praise me ="
1t is reported that Mr. Sumner had prepared
himself for bitter personal assault upon the
President, and a more extensive arraignment Of
his administration but was dissuaded thorefrou
| by Wendell Phillips, Senator w ilson and Other
friends. The warmest friends and the most ar
dent admirers Of Mr., Sumner here, freely con.
denim his recent course. Fred Douglas declares
that he is now the pora enemy instead Of the
best friend of the colorod race -inasmuch as hi,
opposition to the administration will tend to dis
tract the Republican party, and to throw the col
ored race again under the heel of the Democracy
1t is freely charged that he is animated by BLIND
resentment Of iancied invasion Of his dignity
and that he is determined to destroy the chance.
OF General Grants reelection, even if it involve.
the destruction of the Republican party that h,
would remorselessly scuttle the ship, and sink
crew and cargo to drown the captain In this he
is ably seconded by Senator Schurz of Missouri
who omits no opportunity of striking at the ad
ministraton Mr.. Sumner was followed by Sena.
tors Howe, Harlan and Morton, who ably defended
the administration, and by Senator Schurz, who
of course followed in the line of Mr.. Sumner,
assault After three days discussion the reso-
lutons introduced by Mr.. Sumner which had
constituted the basis of the debate, were laid on
the table by a vote Of 30 to l6. The only repub-
lieans voting for the resolutions were Messrs.
Sumner, Schurs, Patterson and Robertson.
An extraordinary Soma occ,,rrod l., 49, S....-