New-York tribune., 1871-03-30
THE SUMNER SPEECH.
IMPRESSIONS OF AN oN-LoOKER AND FRIEND.
TO me Editor Of The TriGWhc.

IMPRESSIONS OF AN oN-LOOKER AND FRIEND.
TO the Editor Of The TriGUhe.
SIR: On Saturday morning the public re-
ceved the first inimation as the time of the delivery
of Mr.. Summers great Santo Domingo speech Shortly
after to-day Tie Senate galleries, save the reporters
gallery were filed and before II the galleries, the stair
ways the coakrooms, and the Goorways and entrances
above and below were packed and blocked by wedged
IN masses Of anxious and agitaed women and men.
Each niche In the wall above contained TWO or more lV
ing statues standing like statues OF stone for three NOR
tai hours, mmOvable, though not cmOtioDess while the
tide swept into the Chamber below, overwhelming tie
Senate driving Senators from their seats and the Sen
ate officers from their accustomed chairs until the
dense crowd encroacng the space occupied by the
orator suggested mass meeting such as are held IN
Faneui Hail. rather than scene in the Senate OF the
United States Never n Senator so honored in hls
auditors Great orators, heroes statesmen and usts
OF wOrthiest renOwn, those highest In authority and
those highest in the worlds esteem, remained standing
FOR hou rs for the privilege Of listening 10 the speech Of
the Senator from Massachusetts,. The Diplomatic Rep
resenatves OF the great nations Of the world were pres
ent. Cabinet Ministers and exMinsters elbowed
their way within hearing distance Of the organ
toned orator. The Judges left their seats ON
the Bench Of the Supreme Court 10 surroundth speaker
the General OF the Army the Admiral Of the Navy and
many Of the most heroic officers OF these branches OK
the public service listened with intensest interest
The branch Of Congress adjourned, and the mem
bcrs remained standing Tor hOufs ON tne VI
Senate, while groups Of richly atred ladies' the most
beautiful brilliant in the land, the wives and daugh
ters of Senator'S Judges Generals Cabinet and Foreign
Mnisers beslegcd the doors of Senate and galleries.
thankful for standing within hearing Of the learned
statemans voice.
And what the reception Of such speech from
such an audiencef Its eloquent words fell upon gym
pathetic and touched responsive hearts. Depend
upon IT, fellow Republican, whatever your wishes may
be- Washington is with Sumner Four-ffths OF the
Presidents appoines and those of his Cabinet in the
Departments are against him on his Santo Domingo
policy and against him In his quarrel with Sumner the
sentnent which received the warlnest approval was
this: II the President had bestowed tthe Of The per
s0nal effort and personal attention ana personal hdyO
cacy and solicitation upon the matter OF securing
,roectOn TO American citizens in the South that he has
10 procuring the annexation of half an Island In the
Caribbean Sea, the Outrages or the hukluk lan would
long since been numbered among the things or the
past The repetition Of the applause which broke torth
ipon the of this sentiment was restrained by
the fear that the galleries wOud he cleared AS threat
ened the VicePresident and by the knowledge also
that all applause was contrary 10 the rules OF the
Senate. go
Not only the galleries but the Senate listened with pro-
found attention to this speech, II we except the ltie
knot OF Senators composed OF Messls Howe Carpenter
COnkng. and Edmundr, who secI1ed consumed WIN
envy EuperOrs ofatorica success and were ner
yOusly consulting about the best means 10 nulfy inc
eject OF the obno1 ous speech The efforts of Senators
Morton and Howe, which followed were coniy received,
and had scarcely perceptibe influence III cOuntefactng
the effect of Senator Summers argument 10 avoid
empyng the galleries. Mr. Howe concluded his remarks
much earlier dian he seems TO have intended Mr.. sum
ners speech has produced at the Calal profound I'M
prcsiOD. The sfntnon Of this cfy sustins him IN the
POSITIONS has taken aud IN the course be has pursued
Ills language today vae uDeIpce'.Uo Aoo.Iah Abo ps