Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-28
FOrty-Second Congress First Session
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 81.
SEN ATE

SENATE.
Just before the senate was called to order, a
stout lady from Maine, who is well known here,
Slightly deranged, forced her way in, and going
to MIR. Hamin, asked leave to reply to Mr. Sum
ner. The senator from Maine was Obliged to
refuse her his aid, and it was with some difficult
ty that Capt. Bassttt, the doorkeeper of the SEN
ate, persuaded her to withdraw.
Seldom has any senator been greeted with
such an audience as was present in the senate
chamber to-day to hear Senator Sumner speak
in support OF his resolution, offered on Friday
last. Before twelve O'Clock arrived, the hour at
which the senate assembled, every seat in the
galleries was occupied and even the corridors in
the rear were crowded with those anxious to
hear Mr.. Sumner.
The diplomatic gallery, which is seldom 0ccu-
pied, for the first time this year was not large
enough to hold those attached to the foreign
legations, and several foreign Representatives
were given seats on the floor of the senate cham
Der. The cloak rooms adjoining and leading 10
the floor Of the senate were given up entirely to
the families of senators and their friends, and
the rule which excludes all but representatives
of the press from the reporters gallery was set
aside, and seats provided there for ladies to the
utter disregard of the rights of those having
seats assigned them for the entire session Ofcon-
gress.
When Mr. Sumner entered, nearly the whole
audience applauded, and the applause was con-
tinued until after he had taken his seat. He
was in good health, and ready for the arduous
task before him. Mr.. COlfaX called the senate
to order at noon. Rev. DR.. Newman then
opened the session with prayer.
The journal was read, and Mr.. Sumner, at a
quarter-past twelve, took the floor. He first
had the resolutions read, including the follow
| ing additional one, and then commenced read
| ING his speech:
Resolved, that whatever may be the title to terri
tory under an unratied treaty, it is positive that
after the failure of the treaty in the senate all pre-
text of title ceases so that our government is IL all
respects stranger to the territory, without excuse
apology for any interference against its enemies
foreign domestic, and that therefore any beiger-
ent intervention or act of war on the coast of st
Domingo after the failure of the Dominican treaty
in the senate unauthorized violence utterly with
out support In law or reason, and proceeding di-
recty from that kingly prerogative which is dis
owned by the constitution of the United States.
MIR. Sumner to crafty the crowds in the gal
leries behind his desk, moved down into the
next row of seats and spoke from the desk of
Mr. Wilson. Gen. Logan occupied Mr.. Sum-
ner's chair behind the speaker. Gen. Schurz
sat at his right and Mr., Howe at his left.
Grouped around were other senators, while in
the background were representatives and mem
bers of the diplomatic corps, with Others who
have the privilege of the floor.
AT half-paSt twelve sofas were brought in on
the floor TO accommodate the large number of
representatives who came in, and among those
of them who listened with the most attention
were Gen. Butler and Mr.. Rainey, the able color
ed orator. Mr.. Lawlor, of the London press was
given one of the senator's chairs on the demo.
cratic side Mr. Sumner had had a set of the
printed slips of his speech mounted on half
sheets of cap paper, which he took up and read
one by one, although he often spoke without
reference TO the copy in his hand. His voice.
somewhat husky at first, soon became clear and
clarion like,
The full text of the speech has been received
and the most important portions will be found
IN anal
Mr.. Morton listened attentivey, taking an oc-
casional note, which indicated his intention to
reply,
Ex-Governor Davis, of Ohio, Ex-Governor
Smyth, of New Hampshire and other notables
from abroad were among the audience on the
floor Among the prominent officials who came
into the chamber during The delivery of the
speech were: Judges Davis, Miller and Bradley,
of the United States supreme court; Secretary
Robson, Postmaster General CresweIl, and
Gen. Sherman. Nearly all the members of the
house of representatives were on the floor
During the delivery of the speech. Mr., Sum-
ner was listened to with extraordinary attention,
and every word uttered by the senator was re-
ceived in respectful and almost breathless ST.
lence, with occasional, half-subdued, manifesta-
tons Of applause in the crowded galleries. The
assertion that the president, ia his usurpations,
had not even puff of air to stand upon and
similar passages, was followed by very audible
murmurs of applause
The extracts which follow were not in the
prepared speech, and consequently do not anpaar
in the portion alluded to as being published in
another place.
Enlarging upon 1he declaration that the pres
ident had placed himself at the head of more
powerful and costly kuklux than those of the
south, Mr., Sumner proceeded HHad the presir
dent been SO inspired as t. bestow on the south
ern Uuionists, white and black, one-half of the
zeal, will, personal attention, personal effort,
md AnF nal nEn. 4.
upon his attempt to obtain half of an island in
the Caribbean Sea, the southern suklux would
have existed in name only, while tranquility
would have reigned everywhere within our bor-
ders." General applause in the galleries, and
hisses.)
The Vice President-r"Tbe chair cannot con,
sent thai there shall he manifestations of app
proval or disapproyal in the galleries, and he
reprehends one as promptly as the other. If
they are repeated, he must enforce the order Of
the se1ate,D
Mr.. Sumner proceeded; "Now, as desire the
suppression Of the kuklux wherever it shows
itself, and the elevation of the African race,
insist that the presidential scheme which instals
the kukluX on the coast of San Domingo, aad
which at the same time!psults the African race
in the black republic, shall be fairly presented.
| speak now of that kukluX of which the preSi-
dent is the declared head and / speak for the
African race, whom the president has tramped
down. Is there any senator in earnest against
the kukluxP Let hun arrest il an the coast of
San Domingo Is there any senator ready, at
all times, to seek the elevation of the African
racer Here is occasion for his best efforts"
After speaking for three hours and quarter,
Mr.. Sumner, at $3.50, concluded,
Mr., Morton said he did not propose to reply
to MIR. Sumner atEthis time, as that would re-
quire time and preparation, but simply to show
that the sole object of that senator's elaborate
speech was to charge the president, and, at best,
two menlhers OF his cabinet, with the commits
sion of high crimes and misdemeanors. This
was more clearly shown by the senator's own
express admission,-in the beginning of his re-
marks,-that he did not propose to argue the
question Of annexation; he had presented an
Indictment against the president with many
counts, but it would be impossible ia fellow
MIN through his great u,ass Of details; nor in
his, MoItons, opinion was it necessary He
could say that most of it was not unfamiliar TO
the senate, and no surprise. He, Morton, had
no aFgnmeat TO make ier or against st. Domin-
GO, either to-day or at this session. 1t had been
decided, in order to settle the difference of opn-
ion on the subject, to send commission to the
island, who should report to the country upon
the propriety or annexation and the questions
Herewith connected. Though personally in n.
vor of annexation, he had agreed to suspend his
Judgment until that report was made.
1t had been thought best to dismiss
the matter from politics until that report was
made; but this course had not been followed BY
some, though he had declared, for one, his will
ingness to drop the subject If the commission,
ers' report should be unfavorahle Certain men
appeared disposed to keep the question before
the country, aud present. it constantly in an ex.
a0gerated and distorted form, as If to anticipate
the report, and prejudice the public mind against
it, whatever might be It's character. Good taste
49, A.. a