Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-01-03
Beeeher ON Summer.

10 has been stated lately that Mr.. Sumner has
receive q some words OF encouragement from
men prominent in the Republican party on the
stand he has taken in relation to the President
We cannot imagine who they may be. They
certainly have given 10 public expression to
that opinion On the contrary those reckoued
amongst Mr.. Summers staunchest adhsrents
have been the first to deprecate his course.
And it is evident that the volume of that con-
demnation is increasing as the consequences of
the Sumner bolt upon the fortunes of the Re-
publican party-should it receive any counte-
nance-become more apparent.
Henry Ward Beeeher has an article in the
ChTIstiln Union on the Grant-Sumner matter
that undoubtedly expresses the vie of tho CHIT
iul Republicans throughout the country. Re-
garding a speech like this, says Mr.. Beecher,
simply as an ungrounded attack on a faithful
public servant, it can hardly be too earnestly
deprecated. 1t is the curse OF our politics that
no degree Of purity of character exempts a
public man from all manner of base imputa-
lions Ii Il too much to hope to be soon deliv-
cred from this style of warfare on the part of
mere political hacks and partisan journals.
I" But when . man esteemed among the FORE
most in the Senate, honored for personal in
tegrity, accustomed to lead at home and to be
heard with respect abroad, when such q man
launches against an honest President violent
accusatlons of offensive and dangerous cri mes
what security Ia left for honor and dignity in the
personal relations Of politics? But this 10 by no
means the whole OF the mischief in the present
case. The direct tendency Of Mr.. Summers
speech Was to create . bitter feud among the
republicans in Congress and to commit some of
them to . declared and permanent hostility
against the administration. Such Q wranRle
involves . diversion Of time and strength from
the public service to party brOils, which il in
itself serious impeachment to good legislation
But such feud would have still worse results
The evils OF chronic discordance between the
legislative and executive powers-the friction
the incapacity, the deadlock upon all great
measures-are but too we'll known to us. To in
woke such conflict, with absolutely no rational
ground for it, seems the part Of utter folly. Aud
on the mere ground OF party expediency, what
worse could be wished to the republican party
than that they should throw away the friend
ship OF q President " ho Is with the at heart
and break ny their own forces BY attacks on a
chief strong in the confidence of the country?'
Mr.. Beecher believes, however, that there Is
little or no response to the temper Of Mr. sum-
ners speech, and that there is no prospect what
ever OF q breach between the President and the
great body OF the republican Congressman;
''but thar it IL only because Mr.. Sumner has
failed to animate others with his own spirit"
In another way. however, Mr.. Beecher fears
unfortunate results, and that is from the fact
that from want of harmony between the Presi.
dent and the chairman of the Committee. on
Foreign Relations, the hopeful prospect of set
ting the Alabama claims question NAV be de-
feaied. The chairman of that committee SAYS
MIR. Beccher, has taken action, which, without
wonderful moderation on both sides. and. An
psrently, some backward steps on his, must
place lin on terms of hopeless personal hostility
with the President, and render hearty co-opera-
ton on any subject extremely difficult. Ii is no
idle fancy that harmony. between the two fore
most Christian nations may be endangered by
the consequences of this speech.
This concurrent opinion of republicans of
the stsnding OF Henry Ward Beecher, ought to
convince Mr.. Sumner that he has, tor once at
least, taken an untenable position. VIII it: