Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-04-04
Senator Sumner President Grant, and the
New York Herald

New York Herald.
1t is something new, says the Enquirer, to
lern from such good authority as Mr. Sumner
that General Grant has violated the Constitu-
ton, and usurped kingly prerogatives Yet
that is the charge in the able speech just de-
livered by the Massachusetts, Senator in the
United States Senate. He charges the Presi-
dent with having illegally used the navy of the
United States to keep Baez in power in San
Domingo, in order that Baez might sell him
the island He also charges that the President
| used the navy to intimidate and menace the
| Haytien Republic while these negotiations were
pending. Rear-Admiral Poor having quietly in
formed the Haytien President that ''if any
| vessels under Haytien or other flags we're
| found in Dominican waters, he would sink or
| capture them" The Senator from Massachu-
sets does not stop here He calls the Presi-
dent Head Of the Ku-Kluc on the coast OF
| San Domingo"
| These are novelties in the political experience
of these days. We in the South have charged
the President with violating the constitution,
with usurping powers not granted him by the
constitution, with seeking to make himself an
| irresponsible Dictator We did not calculate
on beinggeinforced so soon by such unimpeach-
able testimony. The judgment OF the Sena-
| tor hsaeracity, and his high position in the
Republican party, all constitute him the very
highest authority on such question. There
is something extremely noticeable in the turn
events have taken. Even the New York
Herald openly deserts the President, and NOR
alizes in the following very remarkable manner !:
''NTe have been disposed to sustain General
| Grant on account of the services he rendered
the country in the war, and believing he was
| honest, having hope at the same time that
with experience he would show some capacity
| for craftsmanship but he has failed, and we
see little else but blunders both in our domes-
tic and foreign affairs. Public sentiment in ev-
cry direction, and even in New England, the
stronghold of Radical Republicanism, is turn
ing against him. At the very time the tide of
public opinion was thus turning, as clearly
shown by the elections, the President quarreled
and attempted to whip into his measures Mr.
Sumner, the foremost man In the Senate, and
one of the oldest and most efficient men that
| built up the party which put him In the White
House. We see the immediate result, though
we have not yet seen all the consequences OF
this mistake. Then look at the wretched fail
ure Of the administration policy towards the
South, The people of that section showed
such ready disposition to repair the damages
of the war, and to make the best of the as
| founding social, political and industrial revo-
luton they had passed through, that within a
year or two they raised again hundreds of mil
lions worth of surplus produce. Their peace
full industry and energy under such circum-
cta r,ooe rra~a octon;cb;pn and oollod fo~tb +hr
admiration of the world. But the Admins
tration kept its heavy hand still on this people,
refused them amnesty or encouragement, and
| indirectly fomented disorder to serve base po-
litical purpose. Whatever Ku-Klux crimes
there may be in the Southland we have nc
doubt they are greatly exaggerated for political
effect in the North-have resulted from the
miserable and heartless policy Of the Admins
tration and the Radical party. If we look at
| the financial administration and measures OF
/ the Government, we see nothing but blunders
no craftsmanship, and every act directed to the
one end Of sustaining the New England policy
Of protection. The whole financial policy has
been contracted, sectional, to favor the few and
to burden the many General Grants Admin
istration, through all its course, is now weighed
in the balance and is found wanting Though
the masses of our people are conservative and
slow to move. they are fast coming to this con-
cluslon
IF the Democrats be wise they may profit by
the failures and mistakes of the Administers
ton and the Radicals Never had great par
/ ty finer opportunity Let them ignore the
old dead issues Of the past, accept without re-
serve the changes effected by the war in
the Constitution, advocate reduction of taxa
ton to the lowest point, cut down the extrava-
| CANT expenditures that remain as remnants OF
the war, and give the country that grand posi-
ton among the nations of the world that be-
longs to it, and there will be fair prospect
open for the next Presidency. The people
anziously look for restoration of the. good old
times when they had an economical govern
ment; when local institutions and liberty were
respected when military rule was never
thought of, or bayonets seen at the polls
The Democrats have been powerful party,
and governed well. The people seem disposed
! to try them again. The Radicals never COM
pretended the true theory of our government.
Even the cohesive power of the public Treas
ury cannot hold them together any longer. =
The Democrats have the prize within their
reach, if they know how to use their oppor-
tunity.