Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-28
WASHINGTON.

pants. aLQaCbcQ abulluSf W HCdT OuInuST
speak. Many were unable to obtain even
standing room at the doors. There were an
unusually large number of privileged per-
sons on the floor. Sumner commenced
speaking as soon as practicable after the
Senate was called to order. In his opening
paragraph he definitely asserts, it is now
in evidence before the Senate, that the
navy of the United States, acting under
orders from Washington, has been en-
gagged in measures of violence, and bel
ligerent intervention 10 bring on war
without the authority of Congress. The
whole business, he adds, Is aggravated,
when il is considered that the declared
object of this violence is the acquisition
of foreign territory, being half an island
in the Caribbean seas. And still further,
this violence has been employed first to
prop and maintain a weak ruler, him
self an usurper, upholding him
in power that he might sell his country,
and secondly, it has been employed to
menace the black republic of Hayti.
Such case, Mr.. Sumner conceives, is
too grave for silence. For the sake of the
navy, of the administration, of republican
institutions and of the Republican party,
which cannot afford TO become RESPONSE
BILE for such conduct this case must not
pass without Inquiry. But beyond all
these condemnations is the commanding
rule of justice, asd The evidence shows
too clearly that means have been en-
ployed for the acquisition of San Domin-
go which cannot be justified.
The. Senator then characterizes Baez
and Grant as co-partners in the melan-
choIy affair. He caIefully reviews the
history of the former and his unscrupu-
lous usurpatiOn; recites the origin of the
scheme for annezing half the island, and
arraigns the President for usurpipg the
war and treaty powers of Congress, and
violating international lag and the Con-
stitution of the UEited States. In the ev-
idence addnced he confines himself care
fully TO public documents, reports, and
official communications 70 the Senate.
RObesOn on International Law.
Secretary Robson has written letter
to- Rear Admiral Poor correcting the
statement of letter, purporting to have
been addressed, on the oath February, by
the officer commanding the Tennessee to
Mr.. Wade, chairman of the Dominican
Commission, in which the writer assumes
that any person connected with the Com
mission taken prisoner by the opponents
of the Dominican government within
their lines, would be in reality spy, and
might, under the rules of civilized war
fare, be treated as such, because the Uni
ted States has, through the orders of its
Executive to the naval vessels there,
chosen TO take part in the Internal con-
flicts of the Dominican Republic. The
Secretary says the United States is deal
ing with the regularly constituted Gov
eminent OF the Dominican Republic, in
manner and for purpose not inconsist-
ent with International law. The Secre-
tsry refers to the case of Samana,
and explains that San Domingo
itself is most desirable acqui-
sition to this country, and the President
had the constitutional right to initiate
treaties which are subject TO confirmation
or rejection by the Senate. Such nego-
tiations give the United States an interest
in the thing negotiated for, which could
not rightfully be disturbed by any other
power. In carrying out this recognized
policy, the government of the United
States had not fired shot nor landed
man in hostile attitude on the island of
San Domingo, and has neither interfered
in the conflicts of the Dominican Re-
public, nor cOerced any other power. 1t
has simply warned other powers not to
interfere, until the question of annexa-
ton was definitely settled. To protect
our interests acquired by negotiations is
a part of the duty, says the Secretary, of
those ships Of your feet cruising in the
waters of San Domingo.
Return of the San DOmingOers.
The San Domingo Commissioners and
the parties accompanying them returned
to Washington this evening. All well ex-
cept Senator Wade.
No Authorship for VIM. II. stokes.
A statement has been published that
Col. Stokes, of Tennessee, will be ap-
pointed Fifth Auditor in place of Barrow.
of Wisconsin. A prominent Congress
man of the latter State, having inquired
of the President as to the truth of the
T1mor, learned that he had no intention
whatever of making such a change or dis
placing Judge Barrow.
TtnKerinR on n Ku-KIux Law.
The Republican members of the House
Special Committee on the Presidents
Message, unanimously agreed that some
legislation for the suppression of lawless-
ness in the South is imperative. 1t is
therefore proposed TO report bill to-day
or tomorrow, and the Committee have
instructed Mr.. Shellsbsrger to prepare
draft of one for consideration at their
meeting to-day. The bill is already COM
pleted and will be simple but compre-
hensive and founded principally on ex-
istiDg laws, providing for their applica-
ton to present contingencies. The third
and last section is the most important
feature of the bill. Il provides that
when domestic violence and disorders ex-
ist in any State, caused by armed and
organized bands combined to commit
such acts too strong to be suppressed by
State authorities, OF where such authOri-
ties by reason of being in completely
OF sympathy with such organized
bands do not repreSs such dis
orders, then the President shall,
without waiting 10 be called upon by the
Governor or Legislature of such State,
iSNe his proclamation ordering the dis
bFDdlng of such bands, and he shall have
the power and it shall be his duty to use
the army and navy of the United States
20 suppress such disorder and arrest the
organised bands causing them. 1t pro-
vides also, thatin pursuance of such duty,
he may declare the disaffected districts in
insurrection, proclaim martial law, sus-
pend the writ of ha6eas corpus therein,
and proceed 30 the suppression of vio-
lence and the Punishment of offending
persons. This section slsO combines the
provision embodied in the Shellabarger
bill, that when offences, punishable under
this act, ar begun Ia one of, the United
States iudic al disGic's and completed