The New York herald., 1871-03-30


Chsirinans,,ip Of Comniittcc of Foreign Re-
Iations-The massachusetts Senator a Fire
brand and AIischie. -maiker-An English
Opinion.
From the London Standard. March 15.]
Mr.. sumner is man whose political importance
Is very disproportonate to his personal qualities.
He 1rst became notorious by the extreme violence
OF his Views and language on the slavery question:
representative OF the abolitionst State of Massachu
sets. In The Senate he continued TO distinguish
himself by the extravaganza and viruience OF his
lnvectye, until very incorporate and offen-
sive attack on an eminent and aged Southern
an act OF personal violence, which, committed
under circumstances OF peculiar indecOrum, ex-
martyr ana leader OF abOlitionlsm. The war after
wards made abolitlonsm the party creed OF the
Northern majority, and elevated Mr.. Sumner to the
foremost place among the chiefs OF the republican
faction He was the most vehement champion OF
the war, the coadJutor Of Mr.. Stevens in crying for
vengeance on the South and one OF the most power
fu and inyeterate opponents OF President johnson.
When the. personal popularity OF President Grant
secured another turn OF ascendancy TO his party
was scarcely possible that keen rivalry
should not grow up between the political and para-
mentary chief tile professional section OF the party
and the President whom IL had selected as its
most available representative. Mr.. Sumner expected
rome time exert a powerful influence over it. He
was allowed to appropriate for his friend and nomi
DISPOSAL Of the observation-disclosures Embassy to Emo.
land. But Mr. Motley gave great dissatisfaction to
his official superlors Mr.. Sumner failed to give the
President the support he expected; frequent col
lsions took place and at last breach was estab.
lshed by the recall Of the Ambassador 70 England.
Since that time the President has ascertained his
own strength within the party and finally brought
matters to an issue by party caucus in which his
out OF his oniclal position considerable section
appears TO have opposed this measure, for fewer
10 have aDsented themselves from the divlson
in The Senate which gave eject to the
The latter number represent, we may assume, the
proportion OF republicans IN the Senate willing 60
sand by Mr.. sumner al the hazard OF breaSing up
lhe party; the former represent The much larger
ton who prefer Sumner 10 Grant but the party to
eitler. ltmay be supposed however that some OF
the latter W. pe induced 10 give Mr. sumner more
less assistance IN his anticipated hostility TO the
apu pumsration more especially II the latter shonld,
wbea reheYed ol MS mhuence, eyince dlsposiuon
has been growing into recognition and
u1iCn or late composed OF conservative re-
publicans aud moderate democrats These two
secucns have recently acted together in several
State elections 3nd as the questions on which they
agree are the paramount questions OF the day, we
may expect TO see them forming a consolidated and
ackn9sT edged coalition toward which the Presi-
dent, deserted by the extreme radicals who adhere
10 sumner, may be expected 10 incline. The do
mestic roicy OF the ADMINISTRATION, relying or Con.
rressional and popular support the conservatives
must ne one OF conciliatlon toward the South and
OF respect Tor state rights so far as these have sur
Syed lie war and for the remnants OF the constita
,ion and IN this way 1t may be hoped that the
worst measures OF late years may be gradually re-
versed, apd, above all, that the tyranny unQer
which the South has suffered may be first relaxed
and finally exchanged for freedom and constitutional
As regards The foreign policy OF the administra-
ton, aud especially its relations with this country
the overthrow, OF Mr. Sumner can hardly fail to
exert a beneficial influence. We are willing to be-
leve that the Senator rom Massachusetts, no more
Than the great majority OF American statesmen, de.
slres or contemplares as seriously probable q war
with England, especially war upon the Alabama
Claims. But MT Sumner and his party have always
sought TO gain popularity by invectves against
England, calculated 10 excite feeling which they
might at last have been poweress to restrain. and
by pursuing a course well adapted to bring matters
70 point at which 70 amicable solution would have
been posSlb.e They may not want war; but they
have acted SO long as II nothing they could say
could bring about war, as II they might safely
abuse END insult us to their hearts content, that
their defeat was necessary preliminary 70 any set
tement between the two nations. Mr.. sumner him.
sell was mainly answcrabe Tor the discourteous and
Guided b. MIR. Revcrdy J0Bnson his famous speech
put into.tanglble shape the most extravaxant pre-
tensions ever preferred by intemperate Americans
pretenslors which rendered negotiation hopeless, II
not impossible his political friends, as General But
ier Tor example mad recently strven to enlbarrass
and empitter The relations between US, and hao I'M
ported into the discussion thereof the fmpu-
cSnt proposal for the annexation OF Canada
rs II for the express purpose OF prevent
s bd 90 any Ona easy as tos Or dqndeanang e
Ii Tas VAIN TO expect that any convention which
even ne present government OF England could sign
would De ratified IN America. The ejectton OF Mr.
sumner from post which gave him the chief innu-
:. ice on questions or foreign policy occurring al the
very Iement at which the Joint Commission COM
Snenced s sttngs Is happy augury for the success
v its lalors, and, indeed, necessary condition of
tiy serious and effective progress. Mr.. Sumner had
5 Mar committed himself that no treaty which we
{, nda sign could nave received his approval. Now
W E may hope 70 see such treaty carried over his
ht wi and hone that the defeat and overthrow OF
III u hrebranC and mischief-maker may be the first
stt Yto a renewal of good understanding between
Er; yaLd and America, well as 10 the adjustment
1n aif rlca hel sell OF tie loBg-standing quarrel
retw Sl NORTH "a q South, and the exchange OF the
policy o vengeance and repression for that OF recon.
clatio1 Isnd restoration.