Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-30
Forty-Second Congress-First Session.
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 20.
SENATE.

AT L o CLOCK, MI. ScHufH arose ana began the
continuation of bis remarks, paying his re-
spects TO Secretary Robson. He was re
minded of the statement yesterday, in the SEN
ate, by the senator from Wisconsin, Mr.. Howe,
that Baez, in the matter of annexation, was in
huenced by purely patriotic and unselfsh mo-
tives, believing such step would bring peace 10
his countrymen. He, SchurZ, had read news
| paper abstract Of the forthcoming report of the
commission, and there found an interesting eX.
| hibition of the sublime want of selfshncss of
that pure patriot Baez. There was found,
among other items, bill to be paid by the
United States, of $4,000, for property destroyed
by the Spaniards, and 100000 for back salaries
How the heart of that patriot ached to sacrifice
its possessor for the welfare of his ellowctizens
with the snug sum of $4,000 in his pocket and
100000 to be divided among his brothers and
| relatives, who mainly constituted the Dominican
police force. In regard to the secretary of the
navy, the senator from New Jersey, Mr.. Freling-
huysen, had asked for a reading yesterday, of the
| remarkable dispatch of that official to Admiral
Lee, with an air that seemed TO say il completely
disposed of the whole subject. In that dispatch,
| the secretary had the ehrontery to put over his
| own signature the statement that the executive
| department had not chosen to take part in the
| internal affairs of the Dominican republic. This
was in the face of the instructions issued by the
| war department, and under which our naval
commanders at Dominica had acted, in uphold
| ing and protecting Baez, not only against Hayti,
| but against his own subjects 1t was known
| that United States vessel of war had con eyed
| the troops Of Baez from Aqua to San Domingo
| The Tennessee herself had carried Baez and his
personal staff from one point to another that he
] might take personal command of his troops.
What would we have thought, if during the re-
| bellion, an English war vessel had Transported
rebel troops from Charleston to Mobile? Would
not that have been thought an act of war?
The United States flag had been carried at the
head OF the troops of Baez, whe advancing
| against CabraPs forces, in order to deceive the
latter into the belief that they were fighting
against the troops of the United States. He
had been Informed by members of the company
that went with the United States commission.
crs to San Domingo, that, on the occasion of
threatened attack by Luperon upon the Blez
faction, rockers were given them from the United
States vessel Congress to signal that ship for re-
lief, if an attack should be made. The Domiui-
cans were afraid of these things, and set one of
them off to see what it would do and then
boat load of men, armed with muskets, put off
from the Congress for the shore. Whether they
landed or not, he did not know but the seCreta-
ry of the navy was probably by this time in re-
ceipt of intelligence. The whole letter of the
secretary of the navy to Admiral Lee was such
tumble of constitutional doctrine and such n
remarkable representation OF facts and prece-
dents, that it was properly addressed to the sea.
man, for the secretary of the navy probably
considered it well to tell that story TO the ma
rines. Uaughter) The secretary of the navy
is in great danger of acquiring the reputation Of
profound cOnStitut onal lawyer among the
sailors, and of mighty sailor among consttu-
tiona lawyers. Great laughter.)
To further, by force of arms, a pet scheme of
the White house,-n which congress nor the
people of the United States had shown the least
interest,-war powers had been usurped, the
constitution invaded in one of its most essential
and vital features; the dignity of the country
was put in jeopardy, in the reckless manner he
Schurz, had described. He would say to the
senators who had undertaken the task of defend
ing these things, that they had undertaken an
utterly hopeless task, and, TO all appearance,
an impossible one. However deeply the senator
| from Wisconsin, Mr.. Howe, might dive into
ancient lore, and however frequently the sena-
tor from Indiana, Mr.. Morton, might uate Cal
houn's dispatch IN the case of Texas, they could
not Justify what is wrong, nor defend what is
indeiensible. Gentlemen should give it up, and
let the case stand or fall upon its own merits.
| Others might follow in the footsteps of those
who had spoken and abuse the senator from
Massachusetts more bitterly than had yet been
done, but their abuse would not alter single
fact in the case, nor close the eye of a single
honest or patriotic man in this country.
He, Schurz, dsclamed any i'll feeling against
the president, but had some feeling for funda-
mental law. The adm nistration would not be
broken down. unless it broke itself down, and
it was not for him, butt for the country, to say
how far it had gone in that direction. 1t was
time to diSpel that confusion of ideas which
could not distinguish between the authority of
the United States and the person of the pres-
dent, and arrest that usurpation of power which
has gradually and with cat-like steps been
creeping upon this country. Congress has never
been called to confront stronger attempt at per-
sOnal government. We were reminded of Louis
XIV, with bis riding boots on and whip in
hand entering the Paris parliament and pro-
claiming: 81 am the state"
Here we saw the president stepping before the
people and declaring: 81 am the war making
power" Recently he, Schurz, had expressed
some anxiety lest annexation in the tropicS
should lead to military usurpation. Was there
any one on the floor who would deny it? Sena-
tors had spoken Of extending the blessings of
republican government to st. Domingo. He
would respectfully suggest to these senators
that it was time to TO it that the integrity of
the republican government should he preserved
at home. Putting the most charitable conStruc-
ton upon the course of the president, calling it
not crime or misdemeanOr but an involuntary
mistake, still the great duty remained for con.
gress to vndcate thu constitution of the United
States. Had the president grown 50 great that
we must submit, or has congress grown so
small that they did not dare to protest,
fhe senator from Wisconsin, Mr.. Howe,
had likened the senator from Massa-
chusetts to Brutus, but he should have re-
membered that the dagger of Brutus was not
levelled at his party, but thai weapon went
straight into the heart of Casarism and the
SSIlaIOT SUOulu IGultiuDST IuhI Tue WOTIU UaS
since agreed to call Brutus the "pGhlest Roman
of them all" Suppressed applause in the gal
leries the vice president rapping to order.
How could senators who voted to i'm
peach Andrew johnson, on testimony
vague and uncertain, now do less than vote for
these resolutions to check Grant. Referring to
the various historical instances in which militia
ry chieftaius had proven lamentable failures in
civil administration, he said the military cX-
PLOTS of the duke of Wellington did not save
his dwelling, at later day, from being pelted
with stones by the populace because OF his min
isterial policy, Though great general Wei
lington turned out a laundering minister SIM
liar instances of incompetency, and summary
punishment inflicted for such cause, in ancient
times, we're referred TO. He appealed to the
supporters OF the president not to make San
Domingo test Of iealty, for no party could bear
the load of such wrong. The republican par
~ could not afford to place itself in the attitude
Of having committed these acts, but should
leave the responsibility with the president alone,
where it belonged.
Mr.. Morton said he had referred Yesterday to
the fact that while negotiations were pending
for the annexation of Texas, Mexico had been
notified by the United States that no hostile
demonstrations on her part would be permitted
toward Texas. Senator Schprz denied that any
threat Of war was then uttered against Mexico.
He, Morton, now reiterated that the whole tenor
of the dispatches of that time was plain insin-
uation 10 Mexico that any demonstration on her
part against Texas would be viewed as ap act Of
war. In support of this construction, he read
from the dispatches referred to, and from con-
tirmatory remarks by Benton in the senate,
many years later. He then quoted from Texas
history, to the effect that in reply tc eonlden:
tial question, upshur, then secretary of state,
said so aeon as the treaty of annexation was
signed, the United States would send sufficient
force to protect Texas from any aggression,
MIR. Schurz said the difference between the
cases of Texas and San Domingo was, in the
former q mere diplomatic threat addressed to
Mexico, thing destitute of special significance;
but, in the case OF San Domingo, military order
was issued,
Mr.. Morton replied that that was distinction
without difference, because, in the case of
Texas, the United States forces had been
promptly ordered to the Texan coast, to there
act as emergency might require,
Further controversy ensued between Mr.. Nor
ton and Mr., Schurz as to the analogy between
the two cases.
The vice president here informed the senate
that he had received letter from Gen. Cabral,
in reference to the statement made by the SEN
ator from Massachusetts, Mr. Sumner. He had
shown the letter to that senator, but had not