The New York herald., 1871-03-16
NE FEELS LIKE EATING UP FISH,
Rough Enough ON Presi-
dent Grant.
Full Views on the Annexation
Scheme.
The West Indies to be Reserved as a Free
Home for the Black Race.
WASHINGTON, March IA. 1871.

sight ana day, since the late extraordinary action
Of the Senate caucus, Senator Sumner has been kept
busy attending TO the calls OF his innumerable friends
and admirers Your correspondent pulled the bell
more than only to find the senator was so
rounded by visitors that there was little hope
gaging him IN exclusive conversation on the special
topic which now agltates the country. Fortunately
we found him to-day, not alone solitary and dsen-
gagged, but full TO overnowing and eloquently CON-
municative on the subject OF his late removal. In
speaking OF President Grant and Secretary Fish, the
Senator showed degree OF feeling we were unpre-
pared TO expect. He was especially bitter on Flsn
and you will just read over the Pre-
mier's letter the Motley removal you
may find certain Scriptural aluson
therein that gives the key the Senator's animus.
II is altogether private The barbed and poisoned
shaft in that letter did It's work, and when the
Senator ceases TO forge. Napoth's vineyard he may
possibly be disposed 10 shake hands with the Secre
tary. Not I'll then.
Your correspondent was very cordially received
by Mr.. sumner in what he pleasantly called his
sden,n a room the second floor Uttered all over
with books ana papers. Having taken seat con-
versstlon began IN this way
CORRESPONDENCE seem to lie quite busy, Mr..
Sumner
SUMNER-Quite so, sir. In fact, my correspond
ence accumulates so rapidly that my room assumes
tables, chairs, carpet, all Uttered up with papers
and manuscripts. l am Just now asserting a
special part OF my correspondence. In eX-
amining my letters every morning l frequently
come across some OF which say Il must lay this
aside for more careful examination at a more con-
venent season. You see how they accumulate.
CORREsPoNDNT-Yo our room does bear some re-
semblance to an EDITORS sanctum 1t must be con.
fessed. When you get done with statesmansnip
why not try the editorial chair Mr. Sumner?
The senator here laughed pleasantly and your cor
respondent continued
BY the way what do you think OF st. Domingo
just in the light thrown upon it by the events
of the past lew dayss
SUMSER-Well sir all consideration OF the ST.
Domingo question at the present time must be or
necessity y. p.eliminary in its character The matter
cannot, in its existing phases, be discussed its
merits now. The conduct Of the administration, how.
ever, In this whole business must be stigmatized as
gross usurpation Of the power and shameless vi
olation OF the constitution Grants conduct the pre-
mses is perfectly indeiensbe. You see war is great
and tremendous evil one which must not be lightly
handled, and therefore Its exercise shonld be at
tended with the greatest amount Of deliberaon and
caution 1t was never intended in this country that
one man should have 1t in his power to make or de.
clare war. That power properly belongs TO the
people. IL apperains to them in their sovereign
capacity. II is legislative act. In republic the
war power must be lodged in the people, and its
control and exercise lndefeasiby belongs to the
Legislature The trainers OF the constitution, with
unusual wisdom, foresaw the dreadful consequences
which would inevitably flow from lodging the war
power elsewhere than in the national Legislature,
and hence they were so emphatic and implicit in
combining this power to Congress. You see how
they have hedged the exercise OF the war power,
on np m itat md
constitutional requirements. ! wish you would
reflect upon the eXceeulng wisdom displayed by our
fathers III the provisions OF the constitution in this
matter OF the war power Any usurpation of this
power by one man, under any circumstances
upon any pretext Is stepping stone to despotlsm,
TO the destruction OF constitutional freedom 1t is
direct assault upon the sovereignty OF the people,
and canLot be TOO closely scrutinlzed and TOO
severely denounced. The control OF the war power
by Congress Is one OF the glories OF the American
constitution. Il Is different with other nations.
Even IN the British constitution there Is vast dit.
ference from ours III this respect. The Queen of
England IN council can declare war with any ma
tion--for example, with France-at any moment she
SO chooses and Parliament has literally nothing 10
say ABOUT H-haS no power To stay prevent the
operation OF war. So III like manner with Germany
We alone commit the entire control and exercise Of
the war-making power with the people, where 1t
nehtfully belongs, in the legislative branch
OF the government. Our people generally
have not paid much attention to this
matter. They never dreamed the time
would come when one man would usurp this power.
The question has not been discussed much among
the people, ior we have never had President before
who usurped the war power. Grant has done this.
He has been making war for months past without
any shadow OF consideration Tor the legislative
thority lie has consequently been iniractlng the
I'M nAr 10 nndne
ls totally ludeiensiDle.
The Senator made the above remarks with de-
Liberation, devoid OF excitement, but evidently
meant what ne SAID. AS he concluded your cor
respondent SAID
sident Grant looks upon this matter as q violation
OF the cons'ltutlonf DO you think he knows his
views OF the question are so widely different from
yours
suMSER-HeY What does Grant know9 He
doesn't know anything, sir. do not accuse him OF
any knowledge whatever He Is not man capable
OF undersi anding principles or OF grasping any
thing IN i comprehensive view. He does not under
stana the primary elements or the constitutional
eg.lrements lor war. All he knows Is how 10 exc
cuts. Put linn on horse and he'll bunder along
somehow In the field. There's where his vocation
ends. as-stc,~-r--
CONSEQUENTLY seems generally conceded,
Mr. SUMMER, that the selection or your successor
for Tile Chairmanshlp OF the Committee on Foreign
Relations Is falling OF" In fitness II not In dig.
nifty.
VIII confess that my displacement from the chair
manship or that committee, especially under the
circumstances, Is uDpeasaut 10 Inc. beSlues, am
getting old, now too old TO engage In controversy.
have never been inclined that way, and do not
feel as II l cared be drawn out now and In such a
controversy.
CoRREsPoNDENT-At any rate, Mr.. sumner you
have the satisfaction OF knowing that you have
faithfully performed your duty as you understood
Al If any man can say with ST. Paul, then GER
tainiy you can, a have fought the good night have
kent the faith, have finished tue course: hence-
forth there 10 o crown" &c. . ,, ,,
Erxn ER-Yes / am gratined IN being aDe
!, have steadiastly done my duty.
70 nays sS nothing with which 10 reproacn my; my,
self And IL Is very gratifying 10 kEoW tnae ,u
,ha country seems ready 10 endorse my pos.uon
ama,ns, lose wns have assaulted me- THIS assu
asce OF support the people Is very pleasant ss
s.,esiaT s.,I.n,aTions made concerning me by the admin
isiIaIion why sir the country does not y Know cn sG
eAtens =, ,,srenresenIed. have kept II 10 mysei
fnr ,he sake ci peace harmony In the party anu
nesarse was willing 10 suffer personaiy ans sniis .nlis
,sn, man bal m ia tie slightest degree, shoulu