New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-24
SENATOR SUMNER RECONSTRUCTED

OA1. W. I. Ae1lOBB, whose name Will nc
doubt 60 down to>posterity as that of one
OF the most prominent statesmen connect
ed with the great American conflict, he
having lent the principle of human liberty
his commanding talents for long series Of
years, before, during and since the rebel
lion, has seen fit to chastise Mr. Charles
Sumner, modern and newly arisen poll
tician, for his presumption in attempting
to direct the policy of the country in a
matter connected with the settlement of
the troubles that have grown out of the
late cruel war. Senator Sumner had the
weakness to intimate that Congress ought
to move with great caution in its treat
ment of all subjects connected with the re-
bellion, because the disease that gave rise
to that extraordinary madness, and the
consequences that had already afflicted
the people from its spread, We're of such
nature as should provoke the utmost
carefulness in order to prevent any return
Of the affection. While he was anxious to
do every possible good to all the people,
Senator Sumner was still uncertain whetL-
er this would be accomplished by arming
with all the privileges of the just the very
men who had been foremost in tt. cause
Of injustice. He doubted whether the
men who even now defend their rebellion,
and who still defy the government by re-
fusing to apologize for their proneness,
are suffering to such an extent as to be
uncomfortable under the mild regimen to
which they are subjected by the law, and
he therefore counseled caution in the mat
ter of offering mercy where it might be
spit upon as an act Of tardy justice, forced
1y the necessities of the moment from an
affrighted nation.
Such ideas as these from mere neophite
in public affairs aroused the attention of
Senator Kellogg, who has represented one
OF the soundest political communities in
the country for loIg series Of years, and
he at once set about trimming down the
adventurous debutante with one Of those
convincing and exhaustive arguments
which have made him famous as a states
man, ASA publicist, as al orator. and as a
humanitarian. He told Senator Sumner
that his little game was understood: that
he was working to foist adventures upon
the people; that he was lending himself
to retain in Office, even in Louisiana.
men who were not faithful and alleciant
by years Of service to that powerful COM
The Senate of the United States felt
some of the old time exhilaration at these
from the distinguished Mr.. hel-
logg, who has long been recognized as one
of its leading orators and organs Sena-
tor Sumner no doubt appreciated the stu
alton, and felt that he had made the
greatest mistake Of his life in thus rush
ing into a conflict without measuring the |
opposite forces. His demand for caution
was most incautious act, but as all be- |
ginners must be taught by hard expe-
rience the thorny road to eminence, the |
Senator from Massachusetts will accept |
his lesson, We presume, and treasure it to
guide his future offers of advice to de-
Lucrative bodies that contain such pro-
found statesmen as w. P. Kellogg. And
he latter, having chastised the budding
Of premature craftsmanship,
IAN afford to let up a little, not only on the
Massachusetts, Senator, but upon the '.loaf-
RS, thieves and adventures, who go down
south to put money in their pockets, and
Who have no sympathy with the people
whom they pretend to represent" As
'1r. Kellogg registers his name in the
hotels from Illinois, Indiana, or some
'ther Western comm unity, and as he
spends day or two in Lou
siana, allowing the people to behold his
'enefcent countenance, he is the very
nan, of all the Senators in Congress that
re know, to take Mr. Sumner to task on
his amnesty subject. Kellogg knows it
II, and he knows that he knows.