The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-01
SHERMAN ON SUMNER.
The Ohio Senator Explains the Displaee-
ment OF the Massachusetts Senator He
Understands it.

The Ohio Senator Explains the DispIaee-
ment OF the eMassaehusetts Senator as He
Understands it.
The following letter from Senator Sherman
appears in the Springfield (Ohio) Republic:-
MANSFIELD, Ohio, April "a 1s7l.-Sir:-I promised
you that after the close OF the recent session OF
congress would answer the inquiries put 10 me in
your paper or the 23d ult as to the removal OF Mr.
Sumner from the Craftsmanship OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Sumner were that his personal relations with the
President and Secretary fish had become such that
Il was Impossible for them to transact in harmony
the public business, and that the committee was so
constituted as not fairly TO represent majority of
the Senate.
The senate shares with the President the treaty
making power. This, from its nature, is eoniden-
tial-seeret conducted mainly In social intercourse
demanding confidence advice and consent. 1t so
happened, when the committees to be formed,
that beside diplomatic appointments ana formal
treaties with other powers, we had on hand the
highly important English negotiation and the San
Domingo annexation.
der differed widely. Mr.. Sumner insisted that the
hasty proclamation by Great srltala OF neutrality
between the United States and the Southern Con
federacy the fOundation-the grdUGmea of the
Alabama claims. The President and Mr.. Fish con-
tended that this proclamation was an act Of which
we could not complain, except as an indication OF
an unfriendly spirit by Great Britatn-and that the
true basis OF the Alabama claims s, that Great
Britain, after proclamlng neutrality, did not enforce
IL, but allowed her subjects 10 build, man, arm and
fight English cruisers, under cover OF the Rebel
nag. to the destruction OF our commercial navy. No
nation ever before, whi e proclaiming peace, in
nieted so great an injury upon friendly power.
This difference OF opinion between the President
and Mr.. Sumner led TO the removal OF Mr.. Motley,
who sided with Sumner and unquestonaby inten-
sled the feeling that had arisen from the San Do
minRo treaty.
In the meantime social relations Between the
Secretary OF state and Mr.. sumuer had become i'm
possible and considering humaA passion, prejudice;
and feeling, anything like frank and confidential
communication between the President and Mr..
Sumner WAS out Ot the question.
1t must be remembered that on both these impor-
tant topics IL aorty OF the Republican Senators
sided with the President We generally agreed tn Al
il was a pretended neutrality, and toe hasty
proclamation OF neuu alitY, that gave an unques
tonable right to demand ind demnity fram Great Brl
tain for the depredations OF the Alabama and othe
English cruisers.
In the Republican conference the nrst question
that arose was as to Mr.. Sumner. He was the oldes
Senator In consecutive service. He was eminen
not only as faithful representative OF Republican
principles. bat as especially qualified to be Chairman
OF our Foreign RelatoKs He had long held tina
position, and Il was not usual In the Senate 4
change the committees but to follow the rale 0
seniority placing Senators OF the majority party Il
the order OF their coming into the Senate, and thos
Of the minority at the foot OF the list.
In deciding Mr. Summers case in view OF the TACT
have stated, two plans were urged