The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-03-28
The ssArmse HuIIaballOO.

The result of the investigation by SEN
ators SchuIz, Summer. and Trumbull
into the alleged government sale of arms
to France, proves it to have been one Of
the shabbiest and most contemplate bits
Of political demagogism ever devised by a
fraction ofa political party-the most
finlsy pretext ever made for malicious
assault.
Let US look at it briefly once more.
| Some months ago Messrs. Sumner and
| Schurz sprung the terrible exposure In
| serie, of whereases and resolutions, set
| ing forth that the United States govern
| nent had sold arms 10 the French gov
ernment during the Prussian war, IN VI
oIation of International law aud amity and
j, ,.tipating that Secretary Bclknap had
reta ined something like s., ,OUU.O for
his oe personal use and emolument
Sun,,,.,r was the "honest Iage" of tho
movement. 1t wrung his soul, he said,
to susnect anybody. He alluded to the
alleged discrepancy with Infinite relnc-
tance" 1t made him miserable and
wretciled 70 lift the cl'rtaiu on hitherto
estcemed cabinet minister and Presl-
dent who had secured the confidence of
the country.
The investigation has proceeded thus
far with the following result:
!. 1t is shown that the act of Congress
approved July 20, 1868, authorize,' the
sale Of "old cannon. arms. and other ord-
nance stores which were damaged or
otherwise unsuitable.
.. 1t is shown that, under this act,
stores 70 the amount of SO, 600, 600 were
sold to Tom, Dick and Harry, whoever
wished to buy, except agents of nations
at war
5. Il is shown that all Of this money
has been properly covered into the treas
ury. though encroachiug upon two fiscal
years.
4. 1t is shown that on October Is. 1870
The war department WAS informed that
Remington, one OF the purchasers. was
buying Tor the French government aud
that General belknsp thereupon directed
that no more arms be sold to him. But
| he assailants make much Of the fact
| that arms were delivered to Remington
on the same day tOctober l3), at dis
| tant arsenal, on an old contract.
5. 1t is shown that while the Franco
| Prussian war was progressing, Baron
| Gerolt the Prussian Minister in this
country, telegraphed to Bismarck, that
French agents were buying good many
| mnskets here. and that Bismarck replied
in the language Of Treasurer Spinner,
that in his opinion, after due examlna-
ton and consideration, the reported sales
Of arms to France were in violation of
neither the law of nations nor any treaty
stinulations with the United States, and
lhat.as to the purchase Of the arms at an
advance Of fifteen per cent e, oi at any
,ther rate, he saw no reason Tor author
! zir.. it, since the German troops would
/ a.lc short y be able to obtain t. NJ
'as nothing. by picking them up at the
.a..k> oil the Loire !"
6. 1t J. fiaallv shown that Messrs.
Schnrz. .Snmner and Trumhull made their
assault on the administration and on their
ienuutry on the strength of ii charge III a
French nueriali~t lie y>l.aper, { i,ir,': into
thr New York Sun.
Comment would be cruel The basis
of the attack has failed 81 utterly and the
aS>ailauts $ sto in such a hum liatIng at
iitude before the country, with not a
shred of 1,.' to curtain the nal ''in'>> OF
their malice, that their exposed condition
actually appeals to every heart for mercy
Chicago i>st