Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-20

than has yet been tried is obvious. All
candid minds comprehend this, and they
only differ as to what is best calculated
to effect the desired results of peace and
harmony. It is a fact worthy Of consider
alton that many Of the best Republicans
in Congressman whose public record
stands upon the broadcast principles Of in
tegrity and Justice supported this meas
ure from necessity rather than choice. If
this law be correct in theory and safe in
practice, why not lot it stand like others2
If it be just the panacea for the troubled
South, we can hardly expect it to accom-
plish its whole work SO soon it may be
more needed after its expiration than now,
even, and when re.enactment may be
most difficult, or perhaps impossible.
POLITICAL INFELIcITIEs.
On Friday Senator Howe rose to per-
sonal explanation, and stated THAT in the
recent contest in the Senate upon San
Domingo, in the heat of debate, he had
denounced Mr. Sumner as being disloyal
to the party, and trying to carry the bal
ance of power over to the Democratic
party, and that Mr.. Summers speech the
day before upon the Ku-Klux bill had
convinced him (Mr. Howe) that he had
previously misjudged Mr.. Summers mo-
tives, and that he had done Mr.. Sumner
great wrong in criticising him as he did,
and ended by apologizing in manner
becoming gentleman of his station.
This was an act of sublime magnanimlty.
Mr.. Howe never was and probably never
will be the greatest man in the Senate,
not as the world goes, and in the contest
alluded to he had, with various other Sem
ators, participated in disgraceful scene.
But, conscious of having done wrong in
an evil moment, and injured his fellow,
he did most noble and generous act of
reparation. No true man could do less,
an angel could do no more.
The only approach to it that we ever
saw in the Senate, was when Mr.. Trum-
bull brought tears to the eyes of listeners
by the defense of Mr.. Sumner, his bitter
adversary in the past We doubt if any
of his peers could take a bull of their
own raising by the horns with more grace
than did Mr.. Howe.
1t was a laurel wreath for Mr.. Sumner,
but he did not seem to know just how to
receive it. Had he placed his hand upon
his heart and bowed his acknowledge,
ment, or shed few tears in silence, or
have done anything else to keep his mouth
plete, and bis position streng thened before
the world, but he replied in an acrimo-
NOUS vindication of himself and his
course true to the letter, no doubt, but
hardly becoming even wounded man In
receiving the olive branch.
The millennium is not at hand, and we
don't expect every body to do just right,
even in high places. But there are in.
stances of progression towards the good
time coming, and if this progression could
only be made more radical, and the clus-
fer of indiscretions which caused this uu-
happy breeze all be buried upon Hewe's
plan, we could as easily believe in mems
goodness as their greatness-twins of ideal
democracy We should then have the
President apologizing to Mr.. Sumner, as
he has already done in part to the coun-
try; Mr.. Sumner coming down from his
high horse, and admitting that he has &C.
tually been guilty of intersections, for
which he is truly sorry. Messrs Morton,
Conkling, Edmundr, So Co ,may also have
something to regret, and consciences
which this atoning for the past might re-
lieve. But many man that can take a
city, or capture half state, may fail to
accomplish the greater and nobler feat of
ruling his own spirit. Wisconsin has one
that can.
The last addition to the list of la
dies eloquent, is Mrs. Francis Rose Mack
inley. A native of New Orleans, but a
Californian by adoption, she takes the
field upon "Woman's Achievements"
and is reported as strikingly handsome
and highly gifted. X.