Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-24

principles of our own institutions these hostile acts
should be discussed by the government of the
United States.
Resolved, that, in any proceedings for the acqusi
ton of part of the island of St. Domingo, whatever
may be its temptations of soil, climate and produce
tions, there must be exercise of influence by
perior force nor any violation Of public law,
whether international or constitutional and, there
fore, the present prOceedngs,-which have been
conducted at great cost OF money under the con-
slant shadow superior force, and through the bell
ltgcrent Intervention of navy acting In viola.
ton Of international law, and initiating war with.
out the authority of an act of congress,-must be
abandoned, to the end that Justice may be main.
tained and that proceedings so hostile to correct
principles may not become an example for the fu-
ture.
Resolved that, instead of seeking to acquire part
OF the island of ST. DOMINGO by belligerent inter-
ventiOn, without the authority Of an act Of con-
gress 1t would have been in better accord with the
principles of our republic and its mission Of peace
and benefcence had our government in the spirit
of good neighborhood, and by friendly action, in
stead OF begerent intervention, striven for the es-
adjustment of tranquility throughout the whole
island, so that the internal dssensi0ns of Dominica
and its disturbed relations with Hayu might be
brought tc close, thus obtaining that security
which is the first condition Of prosperity, all Of
which, being in the nature of good Offices, would
have been without any violation of international
law, and without any usurpation of war powers un-
der the constitution of the United States.
Resolved, that, under the constitution of the
United States, the power to declare war is placed
president alone cannot declare warj that this Is a
peculiar principle Of our government by which it
is distinguished from monarchical governments,
where the power to declare, also the treatymakng
power is in the executive alone; that in pursuance
of this principle, the president cannot by any act OF
his own, as by unratifed treaty. obtain any such
power and thus divest congress Of its supreme
troll, and that, therefore, the employment of the
navy without the authority of congress in acts of
hostility against friendly foreign nation, or in bel
ligerent Intervention into the affairs of foreign
nation, Is infraction of the constitution of the
United States, and nsurpation Of powers not con-
ferred upon the president;
Resolved that while the president, without any
previous declaration of war by act of congress, may
defend the country against invasion by foreign ar
mics, he is not justified in exercising the same
power in an outlying foreign island. which has not
yet become a part of the United Statesj that the
title under an nnratided treaty Is at most ncohate
and contingent while it is created by the president
alone, in which respect it differs from any such title
created by act of congress and since it is created
by the president alone, without the support of law
whether in legislation a ratified treaty, the ems
ployment of the navy in the maintenance of the
government there is without any excuse of preyi-
Gus declaration of war by congress.
1t is understood that Mr. Sumner is prepared
to speak at length in support of these resolu.
tons. Under the rules OF the senate he can
offer them as an amendment to any of the bills
before the senate, and speak on them The adj
vocates of annexation arc thus completely out
f1anked, and will either have to let the resoln-
tons go to the country without any attempt to
answer them, or open the discussion on st. Do
mingo.
Discussion on the condition of the south was
taken up.
Messrs. Blair, Scott, Stephenson and others,
addressed the senate.
Mr.. Blair-."Congfess is the original kuklux."
MIR. Scott-"That is Just the language of the
minority report. The democratic party could
stop this whole thing at once if they only would.
Ii the leaders Of that party would come out and
denOunce IT. kuIlu& wOnld speedily hide its
bloody head"
Mr. Morton, in reply to Mr.. Stevenson con-
traSted that senator's denial of the organized
disturbances in Kentucky with the message of
that gentleman to the legislature as governor
OF that state, i'll January last The message
called attention to those disorders and outrages
and recommended the most extraordinary meas
urcS for their suppression.
Mr.. Morton quoted from the Hopkinsville
New Era, democratic paper of Kentucky, and
from other sources, to show that the postmaster
general was Justified by subsequent rotous
demonstrations In stopping the mail service be-
tween Louisville and Lexington.
Mr.. Stevenson-"The democratic party never
hangs anybody without law"
Mr.. Morton replied that it had been shown
That the democratic party had been hanging
and shooting in North Carolina without law.
Mr. Bayard-"The senator shall not say, in
my presence, that the democratic party has any
connection with the offences committed. There
is no truth in it, and l defy him or any mem
Der of the senate to put his finger on any parti-
Gle OF testimony to warrant the assertion he has
so unblushingly made"
Mr.. Morton said every democrat was not a
kukluX, but every kullluX in North Carolina, so
far as the evidence shows, was democrat.
The message from the president was here re-
ceved, read, laid on the table and ordered print
ed, and, after an executive session, the senate
adjourned,
A message was received from the president, in
reference TO affairs in the south.
Mr.. Sheabarger moved that it be referred to
select committee of nine, to be appointed by
the speaker, and demanded the previous ques-
ton.
Mr.. Cox moved to lay the message on the
table.
Mr.. Eldridge moved to adjourn.
Mr.. Dawes asked Mr.. Shellabarger to with
draw the demand for the previous question, and
hold the floor,
Mr.. Shellabarger withdrew his demand for
the previous question and said he now proposed
by unanimous consent, that a day be fixed for
debating the subject matter of the message.
Mr.. Brooks, of New York, objected. He said
that in the matter of coal, it would not be
difficult to show that a conspiracy existed
among the coal men of Pennsylvania to raise
its price, and it was gilmore importance to be in.
vestigated than any kuklux conspiracy in the
SOUTH
Mr.. Wood was sure he had no disposition to
shrink from the investigation. He was ready to
act on the proDOsition without debate.
Mr.. COX-"ThS side has supported the honor
able gentlemen from Massachusetts within the
last ten days, without regard to party, and with
the sole view of tranquiizing the country"
Mr.. Butler, of MISUNDERSTANDING honor
able gentleman from Massachusetts has the gen
tleman suppOrtedp
Mr.. Cox-G spoke of the honorable member
from Massachusetts, Mr.. Dawes" Laughter
Mr.. Dawes said he had, at all times, pledged
himself to cooperate in any legislation which
the condition of things in any part of the coun-
try demanded.
Messrs. Garfield, Eldridge, Randall and Wood
continued the debate upon the disposition of the
message.
Mr.. Farnsworth stated that he did not attach
any special importance TO the message of the
president.
Mr.. Hoar said they had information by every
mail and pulsatOn Of the telegraph that outrages
were on the increase. 1t was idle for gentlemen
to assert that no new facts had occurred within
the last three weeks.
The debate was continued at length.
The motion of Mr. Shellabarger was then
agreed to, when the speaker announced as the
special committee the following: Messrs. Shel-
labarger Butler of Massachusetts, Scotield,
Dawes, Blair, Thomas, Morgan, Kerr and
Whltthorne OF Tennessee.
The house then adjourned till Monday.