The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-06-11
Bribery. EncempetenCy and Nep.
OtiSm.
1 RascalIy but Fortunate Family
THE WARNING OF HISTORY.

THE WARNING OF HISTORY.
WASHINGTON, May 3I-In the Senate
to-day Mr.. Sumner moved that the Ap-
preparation Bill he indefinitely postpen-
ed, ard announced that on this motion
he intended to make speech in Sindi-
cation of himself The Senate not hav-
ing consented to give him hearing on
more convenient occasion, he was
obliged to take advantage Of this op-
portunity. r. t@ rs
Mr.. Cohkling called Mr.. Summers at.
tention to the fact that Hamlin, Chair.
man of the Committee on the French
Arms Sales, had been called away by
family afflction, and that Mr.. Carpen-
ter, also a member of the Committee,
was not in his seat. ,
Mr.. Sumner said he had heard of Mr..
Hamlins affliction. and regretted it. He
observed, however, that Mr. Carpenter,
author of the French Arms report, was
now in his seat, and therefore he would
proceed. ...... sa
AR. Sumner opened his speech with
the announcement that he was member
of the Republican party and one of the
straightest of the sect. He had never
failed to sustain its candidates and ad-
vance its principles. Not without re-
gret could he see it suffer, nor without
a pang could he see it charged from its
original character, for such change is
death. Therefore he asked, with no
common feeling, that the peril which
menaces it may pass away. He stood
by its cradle. and was not willing to fol
low its hearse. ........
He here proceeded to detail the rise
and progress of the party, and his con-
nection with it, as a party necessary and
permanent and always on the ascending
plane; but alas! how changed, Once,
principle was inscribed on its victorious
banners, and not a name only. 1t is
not difficult to indicate when the disas-
|trous change, exalting the will of one
man above all else, became manifest
Already it had began to show itself in
personal pretensions. ..... f
When the President. elected by the
Republican party, precipitated upon the
country an ill-considered and ill-omened
scheme for the annexation of portion
of San Domingo, in pursuance of a
treaty negotiated by one Of his own
household, it was pressed for months
by every means and appliance ofpower.
Reluctant Senators were subsidized for
support. While treading under foot
the Constitution in one of its most dis
tinctive Republican principles, the Pres
ident seized the war powers Of the Ma
ton, instituted foreign intervention, and
capped the climax of usurpation by
means of violence to the Black Repu5-
lie of Hayti, thus adding manifest out
rage of international law toha manifest
outrage to the Constitution. Mr.. Sum
ner would gladly leave this matter to
the Judgment already, recorded were it
not put in issue again by the 'extraor-
dinary efforts radiating on every line of
office to place its author for second
term o. the Presidency; and since 81,
lence gives consent, all these efforts are
his, efforts. They become more note
worthy when it is considered that the
name of the candidate thus pressed has
become sign of discord and not con
cord, dividing instead of uniting the
Republican party, so that their extra
ordinary efforts tend directly to the dis
ruption of the party, all of which he
witnesses, and again by his silence rati-
fies. "Let the party split" says the
President; 81 will not renounce my
chance of second term"
The extent of this personal pressure
and subordination of party to the will
of an individual compel us to consider
his pretensions These too are on issue.
"On what meat doth this our Caesar
feed" that he should assume so much :?
No honor for victory in the werld can
justify disobedience to the Constitution
and to law nor can it afford the least
apology for any personal immunity,
privilege or license in the Presidential
office. A President must turn into a
King before it can be said of him that
he can do no wrong. He is responsible
always as President. He is the fore
most servant of law, bound to obey
its slightest mandate AS the elect of
the people, he owes not only an exam.
pie of willing obedience, but also of
fidelity and industry in the discharge of
his conspicuous Office, with an abnega-
ton of all self-seehing. Nothing for
self, but all for country
Ard now, as we regard the career of
this candidate, we find to our amaze
ment how little it accords with this sim
pie requirement Bring it to the touch
stone, and it falls. Not only are Con-
stitution and law disregarded, but the
Presidential office itself is treated as
little better than a plaything and per-
quisite; when not the former, then the
latter. Here details are ample, showing
how from the beginning this exalted
trust has dropped to be a personal in
diligence, where palace cars, fast horses,
and seaside loiterings figure more than
duties how personal aims and objects
have been more prominent than public
interests; how the Presidential office
has been used to advance his own fam
lily on scale of nepotism, dwarfing
every thing of the kind in our history,
and hardly equaled in the corrupt Gov
ernments where their abuse has most
prevailed how in the same spirit office
has been numbered upon those from
whom he had received gifts or benefits
thus making the country repay his
personal obligations; how personal de-
votion to himself rather than public or
party service, has been made the stand
ard of favor; how the vast appointing
power conferred by the Constitution for
the general welfare has been employed
at his viii 10 promote his schemes, to
reward his friends, to punish his oppo-
nents, to advance his election to sec
ond term; how all these assumptions
have matured in rersonal government,
semi military in character, and breath
| inu n niiitoru cpirit ho;nr , ,noo;o. j., q