The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-04-29
SPEECH OF
HON. JAMES HARLAN.
OF IOWA,
Dezirered in tie Senate Of tie United States
March 90, 1871.

Deferred IN tie Senate Of tie United States,
March 30, 1871.
The Senate having under consideration
the resolutions of Mr.. SUMNER relative to
the employment of the naval forces of the
United States in Dominican waters
Mr.. HARLAN said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Two Senators have
spoken in favor of the adoption of the pend
ing resolutions. | listened to the first for
three hours and more with so much interest
as not to move from my seat or feel a sense
of WEAKNESS, and with enough attention
to hear, | think, every word that dropped
from his eloquent lips. | always listen to
the honorable Senator from Massachusetts,
Mr.. SUMNER with the deepest interest, as
we all know he has obtained right on this
floor to be heard with attention from every
member of this body, having served more
consecutive years than any other member
of the Senate. But lest my heart might
have been led captive by his eloquence, and
my Judgment warped, l read last night all
of the fifteen columns and more of that
speech carefully, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning, if l could, the crimes that have
been alleged against the President of the
United States, the motives for the charges
brought against him, the character of the
evidence by which they are supported, and
the good that could probably flow from the
adoption of the propositions that have been
submitted.
On yesterday and to-day the speech of
the honorable Senator from Massachusetts,
has been supplemented by the honorable
Senator from Missouri, Mr.. ScuURz j a
Senator as brilliant as the former, and as
thoroughly versed in olementarylo lore, though
younger in years and in experience on this
floor. intended this morning to read very
carefully that part of his speech delivered
on yesterday, rs | supposed l would find it
reported in the Globe, but have been disap-
pointed in not finding it IN this mornings
issue. | shall therefore spend but little
time in reference to his speech; for, if
comprehended its drift and scope, it was
intended to be in support of that made by
the honorable Senator from Massachusetts,.
The charge made against tho President
of the United States by the honorable Sen
great precision, as everything is which
drops from his lips, in these words:
on evidence now before the Senate it is plain that
the Navy of the United States acting under orders from
Washington has been engaged in measures of violence
and of belligerent Intervention, being war; without the
authority of Congress
The honorable Senator proceeds to say ::
"Such a case cannot pass without inquiry. 1t is too
grave for silence.
Further on in his speech the honorable
Senator from Massachusetts charges more
directly in terms a violation of the Consti-
tuition and laws on the President Of the
United States. These are his words
18th,
proper, whoe-hearted reproation our own domestic ku
Klur with fearful outraees while the President puts
himself at the head of powerful and costly ku kiux
operating abroad in defiance of nterna tional law and
the Constitution Of the United States
Other passages equally pointed might be
read. This, then, is the charge. How is
it understood by those who listened to this
debate with as keen ears as any members
of this body? have some passages from
the newspaper press which l might recite,
indicating the impression made on the pub
lie mind by the Senator's speech. | will
read but one passage.
Mr.. SUMNER. From what paper?
Mr.. HARLAN. From the New York
Herald, paper which / have heard the
honorable Senator compliment very highly
in his seat on this floor as great news
journal. The passage l read is in these
words:
In fact Mr.. Sumner makes ont case for impeacll,
ment of much more serious natuIe than that worked
up against President Johnson.
The substance of this charge as under
stood by the reporters for that great news
journal was repeated by the Senator from
Missouri Mr.. SCHURzl few minutes
since. He asserted that the case which he
and the honorable Senator from Massachu-
sets had made out was, in his opinion, a
more fit case for impeachment than that of
Andy johnson.
Mr.. President, this is very grave charge.
| am not surprised that the two Senators
who have seen fit to bring it have labored
for two days and more to substantiate it
They themselves seem to understand that
they must fall or stand on their ability to
prove it, for if the charge thus brought
against the Chief Magistrate of the nation
should not be satisfactorily sustained they
cannot escape condemnation by an enlight-
ened public.
Now for the propelling cause of the first
Senator. He is moved by proper consider
ations. These are his words.
Mr.. President, entering again upon this discussion
l,erform duty which cannot he avoided. wish it
otherwise, hut duty is task-master TO lie obeycd.
| agree with the honorable Senator in
his convictions that sense of duty is I'M
perious and must be obeyed, else | would
not now speak, that the demands of duty,
however unpleasant, must be obeyed, else
| would now be silent. l agree with him
also in the conclusion that must follow,
that it is motive that gives moral coloring
to every human act, and, therefore, whether
he may have succeeded or not in establish
ing the grave charge brought against the
President of the United States, he must be
regarded as morally innocent; but men
who are morally innocent are sometimes
misled by over zeal to the preparation of
prieyous evils. | doubt not that the Jews
who clamored for the crucitiXion of the
Saviour were honest iii their Judgment, that
Barabbas should be preferred rather than
He. lido not doubt that the Roman centu-
rion who plunged his spear in his Saviour S
side believed himself to be in the perfor-
nance of duty. He was but obeying an
order from his superior.
And the object the honorable Senator
proposes to attain by this solemn arraign-
ment of the President is commendable. L
read the honorable Senator'S words:
such a case cannot pass without inquiry. IT is too
grave for silence For the sake Of the Navy winch mas
hcen the agent for the sake If the Administration under
which the Navy acted for the sake OF republican ln,tt
buttons. which sncr when the great Republic make
Itself pattern Of violence and FOR th SIX" OF the Re
publican party which cannot afford TO become Response
lie for sch conduct the must lac examined on Tho
facts and the law and also in the light of precedent, St
far as precedent holds its torch. When speak for re
publican institutions. it is because would not have "u
great example weakened lfore the world ani our s""'
furnished. And when speak for the kepuhiicli
party. it is because from the beginning hav" been tn
faithful servant of that party and aspire to see ii sr"n;
! and triumphant
| The President is accused of grave crimes
| for the sake of the NAVY for the sake OF