The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-04-21

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San Domingo treaty is exceptions
and abnormal, being absolutely with
out precedent. But, continues Sum
ner, even admitting some infnitesima
semblance Of an excuse or apology
during tho pendency Of the treaty
all Of which ! insist is absurd, beyond
question, though not impossible in q
quarter unused to constitutions
questions, and needing them little,
and conceding that the assumsit as.
serted in the treaty by the secretary
Of state had deceived tho President
into the idea that he possessed a
kingly prerogative, declaring war at
his mere motion, aad wishing TO deal
gently even with an undoubted usur-
patton Of q kingly prerogative 30 long
as the Secretary Of State and the Pres
ident supplied the formula for usur-
patton; and You will bear witness
that I have done nothing but state
the case. It is hard to hold back
when the same usurpation is openly
prolonged after the Senate has re-
jected the treaty on which the exer-
else OF kingly prerogat;ye was founded
and when the assumsit devised by
the Secretary of State had passed
into the list Of things lost on earth.
Here there is no remote infinitesimal
semblance OF excuse or apology
nothing, absolutely nothing. The
usurpation pivots on nonentity, al
ways excepting the kingly will of the
President, which, constitutionally, is
c nonentity. The great artist Of Bal
ogra, in q much admired statue,
sculptured Mercury as standing on a
puff Of air. The President has not
even puff OF aii to stand on.
Sumner concluded: In the evil
dence adduced, / have confined my
self carefully to public documents.
On this unanswerable and accumu-
lative testimony where each part con-
firms the rest, and the whole has har-
mony and truth. I present this trans
gression, and here it is not speak,
but testimony. Thus stands the case I:
International law has been violated
in two OF its commanding rules--one
securing the equality of nations, and
tho other providing against belliger-
ent while distinct and
fundamental princir 10 of the consti-
tuition which depriyes the President
of the kingly prerogative, is disre-
garded, and this very kingly prerog-
ative is asserted, by the President,
This is the simplest statement. Look
ing still further ut the facts, We see
that all this disobedience has for its
object the acquisition of an outlying
tropical island with large promise
Of wealth, and in carrying out this
scheme, our government has forcibly
maintained usurper in power that
he might sell his country, and has
dealt q blow at the independence Of
the black republic Of Hayti, which
being q wrong TO that republic was
an insult to the African race, and all
this has been done by prerogatiye
alone without authority of Congress.
II such transaction, many headed
in wrong, can escape judgment, it is
difficult to see what securities re-
main; what other sacred rules of in
ternational law may not be violated /;
what other foreign nations may not
be struck at; what other belligerent
menace may not be hurled; what
other kingly prerogative may not
be seized. Never before has
there been such Presidential in
tervention in the Senate as we have
been compelled to witness. The
Presidents visits to the Capitol, with
appeals to Senators, have been fol-
lowed by assemblies at the executive
mansion, also with appeals to Sena-
tors, and who can measure the pres
suro Of all kinds, by himself or
agents, especially through the ap-
pointing power, and all to secure the
consummation of this scheme. Thus
do we discern in the acts of the Pres
ident, whether on the coasts of San
Domingo or here at Washington, the
same determination, with the same
disregard of the great principles, as
also the same recklessness toward the
people of Hayti, who have never in
jured the United States. In view OF
these things, the first subject of in
quiry is not Of the soil, eli
mate, productiveness, and pos
sibilities of wealth, but the abnormal
proceedings of our own country. Be-
fore condensing the treaty or any
question of acquisition, We must at
least put ourselves right as nation.
nor do I see how this can be done
without retracing our steps and con-
senting to act in subordination to the
international law and the constitu
ton of the United States. There
fore, on the question of acquisition
will say nothing to-day, only alludine
TO some questions involved in tn.
question whether we will assume thu
bloody hazards involved in this bust
ness as it has been pursued, with al
ternative expenditures for war ship
and troops, causing the most painful
anxieties while the land of Toussain
L'Overture listens to the constan
whispers of independence.
| And there is still that-other question
| of debts and obligations, acknowledge
and unacknowled, with an immens
claim by Hayti, and an unsettled boun
] Diary, which 1 have already called
fblood lawsuit. These annexations
state only In the meanwhile to m
mind. There Is something better tina
belligefent Intervention and acts of wa
which menace an absorption of an un
told cost of treasure. It Is o sincere an
humane effort on our part in the spirl
0f peace to reconcile Hayti and De
minica and establish tranquilit
throughout the island. Let this be al
tempted and our republic will becom
an example worthy of its name and th
civilization which 1t represents, Will
the republican institutions have ne
glory. The blessings of all good me
| u IN