Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-04-14

CndIleS GUNNER anu 4SSA
"bear with patience the censure o. dis-
appointed men.r-Presidents Message AP'" -
1871.
The sting with which President Grant "iHea
the tail of his message accompanying tue r'pO.'
of the San Domingo Commissioners has oeen ''i-
ticiscd by the friends of Mr.. Sumner % ~
consider for moment the course Of that senator
during the present administration anu sec
whether the rebuke above quoted Is not No
just as it is mild and dignifed.
When General Grant was insugursiei a. iis
sident. Charles Sumner was the most protlinen'
citizen of the United States. 1t is saying NIUE
to say that he was the most eminent nenl0e'
the new Congress which then assembled 0' 'A'
regard in which he was held by the RepuohcaH
party amounted almost TO yeneraiion III sPI'e
of the wen-remsmbcred stack Of the assassin ne
had lived to see and to participate IN 'ne GUM
plete triumph of the principle of universal noei
~ FOR which he had struggled so long. He-WAs
still in the prime Of life, an eloquent orator. 'e-
LIBERATED as well for his vigor as for his reiiA'
rnent and his scholarship He was Chairman u
the most important committee OF the 0enA'''
having necessarily intimate knowledge and con-
flential information concerning sll tie relations
between the United States and every other civil
lied nation, and was charged in an especisl
degree with the responsibility Of the legislative
branch Of our government in respect 10 Ill It's
foreign intercourse lie had just delivered
carefully prepared Grafton in the Senate upon
the principles to be maintained in the adj us'ieu'
Of our difficulties with England, which had touch
Ell responsive chord in the feelings ofour people
by raising to the rank of international grievances
the unjust and unexpected opinions held by the
mass of TIE people of Great Britain concerning
cur war during it's weary progress. His n'im
ate friend, Mr. Motley, sent as minister to Eng
land, wss known to sympsthize strongly with
his views,
But that celebrated speech, which many an
ti,inatei would secure for is author world
wide reputation SIS a statesmsn, proved the ruin
Of his influence and renowu 1t was found unable
10 endure the careful scrutiny to which it was at
once submitted. Its positions were riilcuied by
f,reigp students Of international law, AMI we're
attacked by cur most eminent ppbIieisis. is
ideas were never adopted by the administration,
and were gradually abandoned BY the public
Mr.. Motley attempted 10 carry them into effect
Iy letters snI conversations unauthoiizei by the
state Department was asked to explain his for
wsrIness. snd, having 10 explanation to offer
WAS recalled. Mr. Sumner, in lieu Of standing
forth the tribune Of the people, and debating
terus 10 the world, found himself quietly ig-
porel. And, strange 70 say, this man who had
dared emil suffered and achieved 80 much for
principle sLcn in the right, could net view his
defeat with canior, and could see in the result
of his mistake only Tie rtsck Of some enemy
upon himself
He me, his misfortune with tie weapons Of
esotsm. lie ceased being reason sble AMI be-
came malignant. lie cb GO &, treat 3 carefully
reached leoi.iou upon a matter o. more than ma
tional importance as a personal adront. He
bsaaei abuse upon the Prc,. lent, loving TO style
him iubelilc aud corrupt, sui be broke CT all
social iutercoursc w.,h the Secretary OF state.
The remarkable spectacle WAS presented Of an
slmiaistrs,i "a sustained in Congress by su al
most unprecedented majority, but having 70 deal
in ,he coniuc: Of the most important matters
committed 10 IFS charge, with an enemy So bitter
thsi be would not take tl, hand Of a member Of
the cabinet. boiling The position where sc;5ri
sal harmony were most dasi-Able AMI necessary.
Matters being in this c'al,i5u, the san Do
mia.o question c-ae up for consideration. It
matters ao, whether The scheme flr it's auuexa-
ton is vie OF uuwi-c. That is still au open
question. sni IT'S fair discussion Is in every way
20 he desired Whis cher Republican Senators
we're divided. some f,yor.u- suI some opposing
the r.oje,. in Legitimate debate upon the 4ass-
tous 81 it's principles lal policy, Mr. Sumner,
who was ia some sense committed in its favor,
having strongly hva,i tle Alaska purchase,
eagerly ssizel the opportunity for bitter
attempt So trges down tle administration
by a yioleu; a,ta,a 10 the very field Of
foreign relations, where be had recently
60 niserab,y hlei Unfortunately he used
the opportunity is % way which more than jus
titled h.s previous failure lie iescsndei TO
abuse. AMI raicl Ikea dsaw.u,n. IN absolute
frgstfulress %. al the properties Of bis posi-
ti5a. He accused tl, President Of persona. AMI
notorious corruption u sqeca's,iag in corner
lots on the Bay Of S.asua Of iudmate consort-
ing with yi-,a1ous c3afsle-s,es Of seeking
foreign war AMI De assured the country that
BE Impeachment was its Only resource Il It
would escape utter and immediate ru.a.
While Sensur Sumner Wis thus behaving.
utterly refusing 20 almi; the possibility tina;
General Gran, might have entertained the pro-
jet from worthy motives and handy isienins 70
discuss the subject in any othc- manner than by
insisting upon the ailesel i-.4uity fits alyo-
Gates, the Pres.lsn. quietly asked FOR = commits
sion. Mr.. Sumner could hardly muster coz
roral's gusrl 90 oppose Che reasonable request,
and another Of his intimate friends, DR.. Howe,
was appointed IS one cf It's members. san .
he rallied en- The Senate. In It's reorganization, .
recognizing the scandal q the situation, deqos-
ell him from his cha.r4auship This was done
without previous CONSULTATION with the Presi-
dent (see speech Of Senator Howe, bat Mr.. .
Sumner ami his friend, insisted th.t the Presi- .
dent had d.c;0ei the measure. They hal .
struck foul blows, ami they could no; under
stand an honorable adversary.
The Commissioners have now reported, aud 1
tie lesult Of their lab5ls assists the President