Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-03-18

II we are correctly advised rs TO the rea-
sons that actuated the President and his
advisers to ask for change in the head 81
the Committee on Foreign Relations IN
the Senate, the deposition of Mr.. Sumner
involves no war upon principles. and need
not have been made the pretext for the
very acrimonious debate in the Senate, or
the unfriendly comments of the Republs-
can press. There are very good reasons
given for the change, and We find them so
Iimpasslonately, forcibly and intelllgently
expressed In an editorial of Henry Ward
Beecher's, in the Christian Union, that we
incorporate it here for the benefit of our
readers. Mr. Beecher says:
If Mr.. Sumner had been turned out of
his position on account of his lifelong adj
voeacy of liberty, or on account of his
ndelity TO the great national interests, or
because he honestly held views Of policy
differing from those of the President, or
because he boldly stood up for the indie.
pendence and dignity of the Senate against
the Vaccinations of q seductive and
scheming Executive, every impartial man
In the nation would have cried shame, and
would have crowned him martyr. But
~ 5ucA SuppOsAtIOu ID True. 4uc WuOie
truth, we suppose, lies in this, that, with
all his eminent excellences, Mr.. Summer
does not know how to yield anything TO
others. He does not know how to have a
conscience supreme over himself without
making it supreme over others. 1t Is no
news that the eminent Senator is man of
singular purity of life, of great disinter.
estedness, of irreproachable fidelity, of
great kindness Of heart, of unbounded in
dustry, and of great learning. But Is it
less widely known that he makes his own
convictions the imperious law of other
mems, that he is apt to regard as personal
foes all who do not accept his judgments,
that he is poor leader and q worse fol-
lower?
Tt may be said that the Chairman of
Foreign Relations is an officer appointed
by the Senate, that he has to do with the
Senate, and not with the Executive. But
practice has established vital relations be-
tween the Executive and the Committee
of the Senate on Foreign Relations. That
Committee stands at the point at which
the Constitution makes the Executive and
the Senate cooperative. Neither the Pre-
sident alone, nor the Senate alone, can
make treaties with foreign nations. The
Constitution ordains that in some things
their action shall be coordinate. To put a
personal enemy Of the President at the
head of the Committee through which the
President is to be III sympathy with the
Senate, is as ifa gentleman should attach
galvanic battery to the bell-pull of his
door, and then marvel that people prefer
red to transact their business with some
body else!
1t is to be regretted that this action of
the Senate took place, and still moro that
it was necessary to have it take place. But
the country will hold the President respon.
sIble for the settlement of the difficulties
which have long threatened to embroil two
great nations, that ought TO be helpful 10
each other, and whose falling out would
be hailed with delight by every despotic
throne in Christendom.
II is not wise to become alarmed at the
excitement and elamor raised by this &C.
ton of the Senate. The immediate topic
for consideration is: What will be its eff
feet IIp.nn the settlement of nnr difficulties
with Great Britain? That is Just now the
business in hand.
1t is our opinion that Mr.. Sumner in his
former position was constantly liable to
endanger the peace OF the two countries,
and that his subsistence into the body of
the Senate will be favorable to a Just and
amicable settlement. 1t is feared by some
and hoped by others, that deadly wound
has been given to the Republican party.
II that party has SO slender hold upon
the country that the change of Chairman
In Senate Committee can destroy tt, it is
time that 1t be destroyed. But we have no
such belief, and have no fears as to Its
danger.