The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-01

fRsf pointed letters upon all subjects of publ
ntest will be welcome here, If written plainly, ol
one dc of the sheet]
d II charles Sumner a Consistent Re.
publicans
7ofb Editor of the State Journal:
) Irery much regret the feeling existing
in or party--a feeling produced by press.
, ina lery persistently the st. Domingo
; projet.
Ilvail myself of your published lbe-
rally to use your columns to present a
+ view that has not been given therein.
Your columns have represented Charles
Sumner in painted, unfavorable light ;
that be is the disturber, the aggressor, the
threatened disruptor of the Republican
party; notwithstanding, as follows are the
facts 10 the case:
This Dominican project was introduced
to the Senate, the ratifying branch of the
government, in the form of proposed
treaty, by the President, to annex Do
mini@ to the United States The project
was Considered by that body, and instead
OF the treaty receiving the requisite two
thirds vote, did not, believe, receive even
majority vote. 1t was rejected it may
have been folly to have done so, but it was
the Scnates wisdom. Soon after, (shall l
say too soon after?) the President, in an
other message, urged the project, where
upon be, through his patrons and friends,
proposed commission, looking to the ac-
complement of his wish, which the
Senate had deliberately, but respectfully
rejected.
1t was presented in such form, under
such circumstances, with such declarations
of innocency, with it hedged in, so as to
deprive 1t of any committing force as to
annexation, that it succeeded.
Charles Sumner, with an honesty which |
no one questions, with conceded trans
cendant ability, opposed the matter first
and last, In any questionable form it
might take he done SO only with facts
and arguments addressed to reason his
most virulent opponent has not dared
charge him with anything else.
he was removed from his position as
chairman of the committee on foreign re-
latlons at such time and under such cir
cumstances as fix it that be was removed
because OF his,aboye opposition or, as has
been asserted, to appease Great Britain
Or because pleasant social relations do not
exist between the President, the Secretary
)f State and the Senator ;-neither of which
'easons reflect any great credit on those
who removed him. As to the last Of the
llleged reasons, to show its absurdity,
emafk all President and a Secretary of
State have to do, to have the head of
senate committee with whom they have
6scial intercourse removed, is to have
disruption of intimate social intercourse
With such head.
1t has been charged that the project has
,een urged in violation of the constitution
md of international law; it is not party
project; therefore, with what propriety
an it be affirmed that Mr.. Sumner, more
han the introducer and persistent urger of
be matter in contention, is dsturber, an .
ggressor, threatening disruptor of the ,
republican party? Shall Charles Sumner
ield persistent activity against project {
which he is honestly and intelligently op- {
'osed to, especially when his reasons for t
pposing itare in accord with those that ,
ave made him great as their advocate g
7hich reasons he has been most prominent s
nd persistent in causing his party to ac- q
ept, when be and they had scarce another t
enator or member of Congress to stand s
p in their Defence :?
President Grant has done more, officially,
, recognizing those principles, than any
PREDECESSOR lof the Executive chair. / !
'ould work with soul and might for his
'-electon, as, 10 my judgment, the most
vailable candidate who seems more dis
used tO do rioht and do therafora tho 4
lore regret that he has seen fit to, in my
idgment, weaken tho prospects of his tt
uccess as Presidential candidate. q
As to the timeliness OF Senator Summers te
lst speech, would remark, that he has OF
herein very carefully treated only of the a
art played by our government in the cl
lovement, and not as to the merits of the W
uestion, and that he confined himself to g,
be official records. "
1t is significant question, why should "
harles Sumner, the honest and consistent gi
lend of justice and the black man, wish th
annex Hayti to the United States, for a in
'ealthy, intelligent and respectable citizen ps
+ Hayti to have his feelings and rights m
utraged as were Frederick Douglass m
ghts and feelings on Monday, when G.
urrying to Washington on his return w
18th the three Commissioners ?
Charles Sumner, the man Charles Sum- tic
er, the Senator, has my first gratitude fir
hich induces me along with a sense of es
stice to write this, while Grants services of
re remembered with gratitude by ye
A CoLoRED AMERICAN CITIZEN. lal
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