Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-03-17
CHARLES sUMNER AND THE
SENATE.

CHARLES sUmaER AND THE
SENATE.
The Republican caucus Of the United
states Senate, after prolonged discussion
and strong opposition agreed. on the
9th inst, to the displacementof Senator
summer from the Craftsmanship Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations. and
he substitution Of Senator cameron 10
his stead. This actieas Of the caucus
was presented fort heeoncuTehce Of the
Senate on Friday. the 10th inst, and its
ratification was warmly Sustained by
Messrs. Howe, Nyae. Edmunds and
Morton. and ably opposed by Messrs.
Wilson. Schurz, Sherman. Cragin. Cor
bet. Morrill, and Upton. Mr.. Sumner
himself. taking nc. part in the discussion.
After a six hours debate the action Of
the caucus was concurTed IN, the follow
ing Senator'S voting aye:
~. Apes q Miss; anthony: 3. r; Boremssn,
WE'LL Kan; Chandler, Mich; Con n ling n.
r.; Corl,ett. Oregon; Edmunds, VT. Fem
ferellnghu3 SEN y. j.; Hamltas Me-; Har-
I'm. Iowa Hitchc0ck, Nebraska; Howe,
Nye, Nevada Osborn, Fla; Po1neroy, Kan;
Poole, u. c. ftamReY, Mtnn.s R0b~Ftson. s.
NJ 55vsSa s6s west. La: Want a n5e s8.
The Republican Senators who were
absent or declined to vote. were the
following.
BuckinEhaSn, Conn; Cameron. Pa; Car
peneer Wis.,; CFssgtn, ". h; Ferry, Conn;
feTl. IIi: Pratt, Ind: Rise, AK; Schurz
NIn.; Spencer, Ala; spragae, r.. II s,um.1ls.r,
son, Mass; WindoIns Minn.-l9.
It is our honest belief that this action
Of the Senate was unwise in the extreme.
Its condemnation by the Republican,
press has been welI nigh universal. and
among the intelligent masses Of the Re-
publican party, there are scarcely two
opinions concerning if and that it win.
have an important influence in shaping
the political future is morally certain.
a mere change in the chairmanship
of standing committee is not intrinsic
cally a matter Of great importance, and
under ordinary circumstances would
scarcely challenge attention But in
this particular instance the circumstances
are extraordinary and there should be.
can be no blinking their significance
The name of Charles Summer is inter-
woven with the grandest events Of our
political history. For mapy years -
fought almost single handed the
fight against American slave - :
the very place where he ao,. ! 49, -. -. !,
stigma Of an artife'- i ,,nS,;,;,,io,, ,,as m
7 y s,e.,y su'sS 4 down victim. and
as.s- 1. sl'sA -artyr. to the slave-drixer's
,lifsss because of his defense of the
ny and downtrodden. For the posi-
/ ton from which he has. just been remov-
ed. his pre-elninent fitness is universally
conceded and has been amply illustra-
ted by long course of distinguished
service. In the experience and culture
essential to an efficient, honorable and
brilliant discharge of the delicate and
most important duties of chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee. Char
les Summer has no rival in the Senate,
while his integrity has not been, and
cannot be, successfully inpeached by
the most unscrlpulous enemy or rival,
OF the reasons given for his displace-
nent che one most prominent in the pub
lie mind is his opposition to the scheme
for the annexation Of the fragment OF
an island. known as the Dominican
Republic, scheme whichis not a party
measure, which savOrs Of the old DEM
ocratic ambition for conquest. and one
which, we may safely say. is opposed BY
nine-tenths Of the Republican voters Of
the Union.
The time has come to speak plainly
in reference to thissproject, for while an
opinion Of its merits might otherwise
have been held in allegiance Of the re-
port of the Commission. the action of
the Senate now not only forbids delay
but makes 1t dangerous. # the substi-
tuition Of Senator Cameron for Senator
Sumner has been made. as appears, to
prepare the way for an easy and quick
ratification Of the San Domingo treaty
it is time for those who are opposed to
that measure to utter their warning
against such action, and with this view.
and, as we conceive, in Behalf of the
best interests of the Republican party,
we make our humble protest against It.
The voice of theicodntry ia that We do
not want San Domingo, that we have
territory enough. and that II is far better
to apply our energies to the development
Of what we have than to expend them
in schemes Of conquest or ambitious
dominion. In emphasis ofsthis oquiet
but. as we believe. almost universal
voice Of conscientious Republicans, New
Hampshire lifts her warning finger.
VIII the Senate heed if7f Will look
beyond its little cliques and'livalries and
bend a respectful ear to tbs Esat pulse
beat Of public opinion J 50 all win
yet be we'll