The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-01
General Grant and His Quendam Tutor In
the Science Of Government.


the Science Of G0vernncst
As faithful chronclers we place before our
readers all occurrences as they transpire,
making as careful comments on them, in pro-
portion to their importance, as the greatest
possible rapidity of publication will allow.
In the hurry thus rendered inevitable we may
sometimes seem to be unduly influenced by
passing events; but it should be remembered
that when great national questions have to be
decided editors, as well as statesmen, require
time for reflection. With the squabbles of
parties, as such, we have nothing to do, and
still less have we to do with the quarrels of
individuals. When we report the one or the
other and laugh or grieve, according as the
combatants may render themselves q ridicu-
lous OF sad spectacle, our duty is done.
1t is true that the outbreak between Mr..
Sumner and the President Is one of more than
ordinary Importance in its kind, and that the
exposition" of the indignant Senator has
afforded our contemporaries, both in town
and country, and Of all political shades,
q fertile topic of discussion and an
excellent opportunity Of displaying their
patriotism, as well as their knowledge Of
the science Of government, international
law, &c, But now that all have pretty nearly
exhausted themselves, we can say, without fear
of contradiction, that not only have all the es-
sential facts on which Mr. Sumner based his
from time to time in this journal, but also many
of at least equal importance which he has
entirely omitted.
The difference is that we have not placed
our facts in array against the President, having
been disposed from the beginning of his ad-
ministration to give him every encouragement
in our power, rather than do anything to en-
barrass one whose success in putting down the
great rebellion had given him such strong
claim to the respectful consideration, II not
the gratitude, Of all in favor Of preserving the
republic in its integrity; whereas, although
no doubt Mr.. Sumner was once actuated by
the same friendly feeling toward General
Grant, there are certain facts tending strongly
to prove at least willingness to Cypress white
people, as well as to usurp power which he
could not now very well bring forward without
involving himself in the same indictment on
which he arraigns the President.
The only way, therefore, in which the So
called disclosure s of Mr.. Sumner have infu-
enced US in the least is by showing that even
New England has become Disguised with the
military style Of government, the only style
it must at last be admitted-of which General
Grant has the faintest idea. As it has ever
been the aim of the HERALD to faithfully
represent the enlightened sentiment of the
nation, so it is at the present crisis and,
accordingly, the President must excuse us if
he can no longer receive our support except
he develops some traits of craftsmanship of
which we have not yet seen even the semblance.
We agree with Mr.. Sumner that the President
has far transcribed his power by sending the
the purpose of coercing the people Of that
island to annexation, so that he might obtain
glory or secure his reelection by that means !;
nor can we deny that in doing so he is guilty
to certain extent of usurpation. Nay, we
will 60 further, and acknowledge that neither
king nor emperor would do himself, his gov
eminent or the nation over which he rules
any credit by pursuing such course for the
purpose of securing new subjects or new terri
tories as that of which the President of this
republic may now be regarded as convicted
before the world.
1t is nothing new for US to acknowledge
thus, to the fullest extent, that negroes and
mulattoes have rights that ought to be re-
spected by the most powerful. But we have
always thought and maintained, at the same
time, that the rights Of white men are entitled
to equal respect, and that the latter ought not
to suffer any diminution of those rights from
being our own flesh and blood. 1t is true that
a rebellious people, whether black or white,
deserve to be punished, but 1t is not true that
their punishment should be perpetual.
Mr.. Sumner has told US that Spain has said
and done certain upright, generous things in
regard to the blacks of st. Domingo-things
which present contrast to the performances
of General Grant in the same direction; but
the great radical high priest has omitted to tell
us that there have been other contrasts at least
equally remarkable. Thus, for example, he
might have informed us that, although Austria
has been very severe on the Hungarians after
suppressing their attempts at revolution, she
has hesitated but q short time to grant them
stances the Gear has treated the Poles
very roughly, but he too has been glad to
grant an amnesty as soon as the majority Of
the ''rebels' had resumed their peaceful avo-
cations. Even in Ireland, the country distin-
guished above all others for penal laws
designed to force IL to be ''loyal," some dis
tinction has generally been made between the
class who, although they may have been
rebels, have become peaceable and orderly,