Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-01-19

In no discussion has the great Re-
publican party appeared at 50 great
disadvantage. For the first time in
an important debate, the facts, the
argument, the candor, which COM
mand respect and produce conviction,
haye all been wanting. For tbs first
time in its history, the party which
saved the Union, and to which the
hopes OF millions cling tor the future,
sunk itself from the high level OF
principles, and engaged in g bitter
strife, with no lottier purpose than
the preservation of party, and used
freely the most ignobie weapons OF
party warfare. which degrade the
man who wields them. For the first
time, the main body Of the RepuLli
caEs In tie Senate moved and spoke
as If they had been fresh drilled by
Tammany, and were intent only upon
doing a masters bidding. Itwas un.
der the leadership Of politicians, not
OF statesmen. 1t was deemed nee
essary that an Administration meas.
ure should be forced through at all
hazards, and to do this that q man
must if possible be stricken down
who, to say the very least, had done
as much as any other man to secure
the triumph Of the Republican par
ty.
The maiIf facts in this matter, are
few, and easy to undertook. The
President sent young army officer,
one Of his own staff, to negotiate a
treaty with the Baez government for
the annexation of Dominica. The
treaty was made, and sent to the
Senate Of the United States to be
ratified. The Senate rejected it
The President, intent upon the pro-
ject, recommended it very earnestly
in his last message. kno wing hower
err. that the necessary two-thlrds vote
could not be obtained tor the ratlti-
cation of treaty, his political ad
visers proposed to give the Presi
dent power to appoint three Com
missioners, without subMitting their
nomination to the Senate, who should
visit San Dimingo, examine. and
make a report. Following this re.
port, a joint resolution, requiring only
minority, can be introduced for al
ncxing Dominica, and thus the Senate
will be flanked and victory Wen.
Now, as every one knows that al
the information which such Com
mission can obtain is already in han'l:
of Congress, or within casy reach
the whole purpose OF this politica
strategy is perfectly apparent, ans
that, to force a measure upon ths
country which the Senate, III th'
proper exercise Of its authority. ha
. rejected, and thus to over ride thi:
bopy .: Executive influence ant
patronage.
Saying nothing here upon u" Il GAGS
ton whether the acquisition o. thu
island, 0, an,' part OF il. is desirable
this is the nature OF the moycmen
| by which annexation is sought. BE
cause Mr.. Sumner saw fit to utter th'
truth plainly, aud stand firmly b.
what he considered sound princip'
in this matter, though i'll opposition
to the view of the President, con
| cer,ed personal attack was made UP
on him with the purpose Of destroy
ing his influence, OF rejecting hin
from the party, and forcing him,
possible, from his position as chair
man of the Committee ut Foreigl
Relation. The debate revealeaso mucl
Of personal animosity, jealousy, or n
valry, and the purpose Of this at
tempt to bear down the Renublica
! leader was 50 apparent, as to dapris
the attack OF all dignity and power
The scene remined one of the as
sault made hy Wise aad Marshall ~
on John Quincy Adams. Senate
Sumner has not the power OF xee
retcrt ani-overwhclming sarcasm Z
Mr.. Adams, and ho attempted ne
thing Of the kind; but when the figt
was over, it was seen that he ha
maintained intact all his position
while his opponents had revealed a
uncandii, ungcnerons spirit, whic
injured only thems-lyes.
This debate revealed most clcarl
the vast difference between a st..a
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