The Portland daily press., 1871-03-30
by TELEGRAPH
XLlId O0NGRESs---First Session.
SENATE.
TO THE DAILY PRESS.

ton to amend the order of business so that any
Dill ON the south passed by the House of Rep
resentatlves may be considered at the present
session.
The question was debated until the expira
ton of the morning hour, and the San Domin'
go discuss Oh was resumed, and Mr.. Schurz
proceeded to argue that the annexation o.
Iexas furnished no precedent or justification
fer the belligerent interference OF the Presi
dent to protect Dominica against Hayti. One
OF the leading objects of the San Domingo
commission seemed to be to protect Bae2
against his subjects
In this connection he was reminded of the
statement yesterday by the Senator from Wis
consin (Mr. Howe) that Baez in the matter Of
annexation was influenced by purely patriotic
and unselhsh motives, believing such STEP
would bring peace to his country. He tSchurz
had read newspaper abstracts of the forthcom.
Ing report OF the commission and there found
an interesting exhibition of sublime want OF
selnshness III that pure patriot, BaeZ. he
there found among other items in the bill to be
paid by the United States $40, 600 for property
destroyed by Spaniards ard 100000 for back
salaries How the heart of that patriot ached
to sacrifice its possessOr for the welfare of bis
fellow citizens with the sum of S7OO 900 in his
pocket and 100000 to be divided among broth
ers and relations who mainly constituted the
Dominican police force. In regard to the Sec
rotary of the Navy the Senator from New Jer-
seyl( Frelinghuysen) had asked for the reading
yesterday of that venerable despatch of that
official to Admiral Lee, with an air that SEEM
ed to say it complely disposed of the whole sub
ject. In that despatch the Secretary had the
effrontery to put over his own signature the
state Tent that the Executive Department had
not chosen to take part IN the internal affairs
of the Dominican republic. This was in the
face of instructions issued by the Navy De-
partment and under which our naval comman-
ders at Dominica had acted in unfolding and
protecting Baez, not only against Hayti but
against his own subjects. IL was known that
a United States vessel of war had conveyed
the troops of Baez from Aqua to Dominica.
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 DUR
ing the rebellion 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
when advancing against Cabral's forces in or
der 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 tcommssion to San Domingo
that on the occasion of a threatened attack of
LuperOn upon Baez package of rockets was
given from the United States vessel Congress
to signal that ship for relief if an attack was
made. The Dominicans were afraid of these
things and set one of them off to see what it
would do, and then a bOat-load of men armed
put off from the Congress for the shore.
Whether they landed or not he did not know
but the Secretary of the Navy was probably by
this time in receipt of intelligence. The whole
letter of the Secretary of the Navy was such
a tumble of constitutional doctrine and such
remarkable representation of facts and pre-
cedents that it was properly addressed to
seaman. for the Secretary of the Navy probab-
ly considered it well to tell that story to the
marinns' - T.auobtar The Sacratarv Of ba
Navy is in great danger of acquiring the repu-
tation of profound constitutional lawyer
among sailors and of mighty sailor among
constitutional lawyers. (Laughter.) To fur
Their by force of arms the pet scheme of the
White House, in which Congress nor the peo-
pie of the United States had shown not the
least interest, war powers had been usurped,
thej constitution invaded in one of its most es-
sental and vital features, and the dignity of
the country put in jeopardy in reckless man
ner. He (Schurz) would say to Senators who
had undertaken the task of defending these
things that they had undertaken an utterly
hopeless task, and to all appearances and i'm
possible one.
However deeply the Senator from Wisconsin
(Howe) might dive into ancient lore and how
ever frequently the Senator from Indiana (MOr-
ton) might quote CalhOuns despatch in the
case of Texas, they could not justify what was
wrong nor defend what was indefensble Gen
tlemen should give it up and let the case stand
or fall on its own merits Others might follow
in the footsteps of these who have 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 in the
eye of single honest or patriotic man in the
He (Shurz) disclaimed any ill-feel-
ing against the President, but he had some
feeling for fundamental law. The administra-
ton would not be broken down unless it broke
itself down, and 1t was not for him but for the
country to say how far it had gone in that d.
rectien. 1t was time now to dispel that confu-
sion of ideas which could rot distinguish be.
tween the authority of the United States and
the person of the President and arrest that
usurpatioa of power which gradually and with
cat like steps was creeping upon this country
Congress had never been called to confront
stronger attempt at personal government. We
were reminded of Louis XIV. with his riding
boots on and whip in hand entering the Paris
parliament and proclaiming, II m the STATED"
Here We saw 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
would lead to military usurpation. Was there
any one on the floor who would deny it? Sem
ators had spoken of extending the blessings of
a republican government to San Domingo
He would respectfully suggest to these Sena-
tors that it was time to see to it that the integ-
rity of the Republican government be preserv-
ed at home. Putting the most charitable con-
SlTuCtlou upon COURSE OI In6 ffeSluent.
calling it not a crime or misdemeanor, but an
involuntary mistake, still the great duty re-
manned for Congress to vindicate the Constitu.
ton of the United States. Had the President
grown so great that we must submit, or Con-
gress grown so small that it did not dare pro-
test? The Senator from Miss, (Howe) had
ikened the Senator from Mass, (Sumner) to
Brutus, but he should remember that the dag
ger of Brutus was not levelled at his party,
out the weapon went straight into the heart Of
Cesarism, and the Senator would have to re-
member that the world has since agreed to call
Brutus the "noblest Roman of them alp
suppressed applause in the galleries.; the Vice
President rapping Order) How could the Sem
ators who voted to impeach Andrew johnson
IN testimony vague and uncertain, now do less
than vote for these resolutions to check Pres-
lent Grant. Referring to the various histor-
cal instances in which distinguished military
chieftains had proven lamentable failures in
civil administration, he said the military ex-
ploits of the Duke of Wellington did not save
his dwelling at later day from being pelted
ministerial policy. Though great general,
Wellington turned out laundering minister.
Similar instances of military incompetency in
civil affairs and the summary punishment in
ficted for such cause in ancient times were re-
ferred to. He appealed to the supporters of
the President not to make San Domingo the
test of party fealty, for no party could bear the
load of such wrong. The Republican party
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 that he had referred yester-
day 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
towards Texas.
Senator SchurZ denied that any threat of
war was then uttered against Mexico. He
Mortou) now reiterated that the whole tenor
of the dispatches at that time were a plain in
situation to Mexico that any demonstration
on her part against Texas would be received
as an act OF war. In support OF this construc-
ton he read from the dispatches referred to,
and from confrmatory remarks made by Mr..
Benton in the Senate many years later.
He then quoted from Texas history to the ef-
feet that in reply to a confidential question Mr..
Upshur, then Secretary of State, said that so
soon as the treaty OF annexation was signed
the United States send sufficient force to
protect Texas from any aggression.
Mr.. Schurz said the difference between the
cases of Texas aud San Domingo was that
mere diplomatic threat was addressed to Mexi.
co, tn ,ng destitute of special significance, but
in the case OF San Domingo military order
was issued.
Mr.. Morton replied that that was distinc-
ton without difference: because in the case
of Texas the United States forces had been
promptly ordered to the Texas coast to there
act as the emergency might require.
Further controversy ensued between Messrs.
Morton and Scburz as to the analogy of 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 (Sumner) that he had
shown letter to that Senator but 1T was not
laid before the Senate.
Mr.. Morton-Let us have it read.
Mr.. Hamlin-I don't think it ought to be