The Van Buren press., 1871-04-04
TELEGRAPH NEWS.
The War in Europe
Special Dispatch to the Republican,
WASHINGTON, March q.
THE GREAT SPEECH

THE GREAT SPEECH.
The demonstration made to day in the
Senate chamber on the occasion of Sena-
tor Summers speech in arraignment OF
the President and his San Domingo pol
icy, was as unexpected as it was most eX-
traordinary. Two hours before the Sen
ate convened, the galleries overfiowed
with people, while the crowds outside
pressing for admission, were so great
that it required police force at each en-
trance to the chamber to preserve the
peace and protect those who had obtain
ed seats. 1t is estimated that two or
three thousand were unable to obtain ad-
mission. Not only the aisles, steps and
recess Of the public and diplomatic gal
leries were filled to repletion, but the re
porters gallery was thrown open to the
ladies', while at last the Senate unanl-
mously granted permission for the ad-
mission of ladies to occupy the cloak
rooms and private corridors adjoining
the Senate floor. 1t was not long, how
ever, before these overfowed; and for
the first time almost in the history OF the
Senate it's floor was largelG occupied by
unprivilegcd persons. By one o'clock
in the afternoon the House found half OF
its members absent, and it therefore ad-
iourned, and informally proceeded IN
body to the Senate floor. In the dlpio-
matte gallery, the French and Hayden
ministers and other members of the for
eign corps with some portion OF the
Presidential household occupied seats.
1t was evident throughout the day that
the sympathics of three-iourths OF the
vast throng were with the Senator and
against the President; for the galleries
gave demonstrations OF approval until
they were warned by the Vice President
that they would be cleared if again re-
peated. On the floor two administration
Senators had the bad taste to annoy Mr.
Sumner by loud conversation, and were
twice called to order.
EFFECT OF THE SPEECH.
1t seemed to be the understanding this
morning that no reply would be made III
behalf of the President; but the effect of
the speech was altogether too decided to
allow it to pass unnoticcd Mr.. Morton
was therefore quick to respond to the
three hours effort, but dwelt principally
on what he called the bad taste and I'M
propriety Of an argument against San
Domingo made before the report of the
commission had been submitted, though
he characterized that as merely pre-
tence Of the Massachusetts Senator TO
charge the President with impeachable
and criminal offences.
WASHINGTON, March %.
SAN DOMINGO.
The debate inaugurated in the Senate
yesterday by Mr.. Sumner against the
San Domingo project was renewed to-
,Iay in the presence Of crowded galleries
ana in the most spirited manner. Inc
administr tration was very deslrous that the
discussion should not be protracted, but
he deferred till the commissioners re-
port could be submitted. Mr.. Howe of
Wisconsin, however, thought 1t lncum-
bent on himself to reitelate bis ostracism
Of Mr.. Sumner as Republican,, ana
wound up by expressing the hops thaV
the Massachusetts, Senator ought 10 90
clear over to the Democratic party, ana
not, Judas-like stab the party to which |
he professed to belong in the back Mr.
Schurz then took the floor in speech OF
remarkable keen and brilliant in the
statement of its points, and damaging as
to the fact in his charges that the Presl-
dent had usurped the powers of war in
his orders to the naval authorities to
menace Hayti and to protect Baez from
revolution in Santo Domingo. Mr. |
Morton on behalf of the President denied |
that any orders had ever been given to
our naval authorities to sustain Baez IN
his position; but Mr., Schurz read from
official documents to show that one OF
the United States gunboats had not only |
transported munitions Of war for Baez,
but had landed troops to protect him,
and this too since the Senate had rejected |
the old treaty Of annexation. These
home thrusts convulsed the galleries with
and produced good many
exhibitions of bad temper on the part of
the administration Senators. MIR. Schurz
will continue his speech tomorrow. The
report of the commissioners will proba-
bly, be submitted by Thursday, which
will necessitate q continuance of the dis
cussion There is great disappointment
among the friends of annexation that the
report is silent upon that question, but is
confined principally to answering the in
quiries submitted by the Congress. IT
leaves the question Of negotiating
treaty wholly open in the future. a
Joint resolution for annexation it is not
believed now could get forty votes in
both Houses.
FRANCE.
VERSAILLES, March 30.