The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-04-29


MIR. HARLAN. | am much obliged to the
honorable Senators. Here was a lease
made in pursuance of law covering an
appropriation to pay the rent, and the
American Government, in possession under
/ that lease, defends its possession, or, rather
declares that it will defend it if its rights
! shall be invaded. That is all that it will
defend this possession if any one, either
within the Dominican Republic or from
| abroad, should be hardy enough to attempt
to vrest it from our hands.
L have consumed more time, Mr.. Presi-
dent, than | intended. l shall occupy but
| very few minutes more, and that by
| recalling attention to the purpose for which
these resolutions have been introduced,
and the object these two Senators hope to
achieve 10y the delivery of their elaborate
and carefully prepared speeches, as stated
by themselves. First, as l have before
recited, from the speech Of the honorable
Senator from Massachusetts,, it is done " for
the sake Of the American Navy" have
always understood that soldiers and sailors
obeyed orders. There is no necessity for
defending them, in my opinion, ON this floor
Have they done anything beyond what they
were directed to do by their superiors p
Has the honor of these officers, or the Navy
home OF abroad? Is there then a necessity
for defending the American Navy in a
speech of three or four hours length, sup
plenented by another Senator in speech
Of equal length?
The next object seems to be, as stated by
the Senator from Massachusetts,, "for the
sake OF the administration under which the
Navy acted" For the sake Of the admin
istration Of President Grant this arraign-
ment has been made, and he has been
charged with being guilty Of sffenses moro
grave than were committed by Andy John
son, who was formerly arraigned BY . vote
of moro than two thirds Of the members
of tho other branch Of Congress, and de-
cided to be guilty by more than . majority
of this body. 1t is for the defense Of this
Administration, with President Grant at
its head. President Grant might well ex-
claim, ''Save me from my friends and l
will take care Of my enemies" if this is to
be construed into friendly act in his
behalf.
But more than this, he is charged with
being at the head of a Ku Klu1 orgaization
more Infamous than that which recklessly
tramples on liberty, life, and property
within the limits of the United States
Mr.. SUMNER. Quote the exact language;
ei"e ID hVo eiO ibhS udSC.
Mr.. HARLAN. Mr.. President, 1 have
been SO unfortunate all my life as not to be
able to remember with ease mere Words
| wish l could, for then my speech would
be more elegant, and surely more attrac-
tive to my honorable friend from Massa-
chusetts, but | never have had either time
or patience to cultivate the talent of remem-
bering words. I have sometimes sought
to remember facts ideas, and events. This
is all | have been attempting to-day on this
point. have not perverted the Senator'S
meaning, nor violated the purport of his
speech; but if he prefers the exact words l
will read them.
Mr.. SUMNER. Nothing about "infa-
NOUS
Mr.. HARLAN. Probably not. Here is
one passage?
Now, sir as desire the suppression of the Ku Klux
wherever it shows itself and seek the elevation of
the African insist that the presidential scheme
which insalls new form Of ku kuK the coasts Of
ST. Domingo, and which At the time insult. the
African represented in the black republic, shall be
arrested. speak now against that Ku Klux the
coast of ST. Domingo of which the president the head
and speak also for the African which has been
trampled down..
These are the Senator's exact words; but
that [ may do him no injustice will read
further passage:
pray sir. with what face can VIC insist upon ODE
dcnce law and respect for the African race while
openly engaged in av-ssncss the coasts of ST.
Domingo and outrage upon the African represented
by the black repubicl How expect put down
the ku klux at the South, when we set in motion
other Ku Klux kindred in constant characterization
law and Cons titution' Differing in object the
indcntical in this insuboriination. One strikes at
national life and the other at individual life
AS national liberty is worth more than
individual life, infer that in the opinion
of the honorable Senator the crime of Tres
ident Grant exceeds that of the private
Kuklux. will repeat the last sentence:
"One strikes at national life and the other indvi-
dual life, while both strike at the African One
m0lests people the other community. Lawlessness
is the common element. But it is difficult to how
can condemn with proper whule-hearted reprolation
our own doIaeFtc ku klux with its fearful outrages
while the President puts himself at the head of pow
rriu and costly ku kIux operating abroad defiance
of international law and the Constitution of the United
States"
1 appeal to my brother Senators if l did
the honorable Senator injustice; have now
given his exact words; and thus the Presi-
dent is arraigned as worse than our domes-
tic ku klux who trample on life, destroy
property, disregard law and liberty, for
whose suppression Congress is now in ex-
traordinary session. Their crimes are SO
nefarious as to be without a defender
among civilized men. And yet the honor
able Senator from Massachusetts has charg-
ed the President Of this Republic as being
worse than them all, and he does this, as
he says himself, "for the sake" of this
Administration.
But he has further object: "for the
sake of republican institutions which suffer
when the great Republic makes itself a
pattern of violence" and to demonstrate
his regard for our republican institutions,
and to attract the favorable consideration
of mankind, proceeded to prove to his own
satisfaction, as it seems to me, that an alb
solute despotism, under the virtuous Isa-
bella, of old Castle, was to be preferred to
the great Republic under President Grant!
But he does it, in the next place, for
the sake of the Republican party" And
this seems to be the greater object of his
the subject Of this commentary:
"And when speak for the Republican party it is be-
cause from the beginning have been the faithful
want of that party, and aspire it strong and tr
umphant."
l have no doubt of it, with somebody else
iii the executive chair. When the execu-
TONERS took down the body of the Saviour
from the cross after his crutixion it is said,
"they parted His raiment among them,
and for His vesture they did cast lots;;'' for
it was without a seam and not capable of
a division. Which of President Grant S
executioners is to be clothed with the exc
cutive vestment may be decided by the
American People in the autumn Of 1872.
regret, Mr.. President that it became
necessary for me, in the discharge of my
duty as an American Senator to call atten-
ton to the character of these speeches.
No one has esteemed the honorable Senator
from Massachusetts, more highly than l.
No one, l may say, if he will pardon the
remark, has loved him with deeper affec-
ton. Early in my senatorial career that
honorable Senator placed me under obliga-
tions by personal kindness that never can
forget. | would not utter one word in dis
paragement of his great abilities or the
purity of his motives would not take
one grain Of sand from under his feet or
diminish his stature by hairs breadth. If
l could do anything in the discharge of my
duty as a member of this body to elevate
him, if that were possible, in the estima-
ton of the American people would gladly
do it.
But, sir, the preservation of friendly
relations with Presidents; and that duty is
task-master that must be obeycd As
verify believe, on my conscience that the