The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-10
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
A Digni6ed Silence the Most Statesmanlike
Policy-senator Edmunds' Resolution
Again Sent Over ladstone's
Speech Insulting"

In the United states senate yesterday the queS-
ton was opened by Mr.. EDMUNDs, rep.l Of VT,
calling up The following resolution, which he
offered on Tuesday last:-
Resolved That the President be requested, II not
incompatible with the public interests TO commune
cate to the Senate any information In his posses
sion respecting the alleged intention OF the govern
ment OF Great Britain to revoke the treaty lately
concluded between that government and the United
States.
MI. EDMUNDs said he thought the information re
ceived since the resolution was offered was suf-
ncient TO justify the clause which had been struck
out at The suggestion of Mr.. Trumbu but as his OBJ.
ject was merely to get the Information from the
President he would let the resolution stand as 1t
was, and ask its immediate passage.
Mr.. PATTERSON (rep.) or N. H., assumed that our
government knew what claims it had q right to
present under the treaty, and upon this assump-
ton he thought the language OF the leaders in Par
lament insulting to the United States. He hoped,
however, that nothing offensive or violent would BIO
uttered In the Senate but that our government and
press would preserve to the end the temperate tone
In winch they had SPOKEN thus far, and that
the government in O dlgnifled, manly and proper
way would maintain our position in reference to the
treaty. He thought the opposition In Parliament
were using this question as means OF ousting the
Gladstone Ministry because they assumed that the
United States government had right to present
the claim they had done, but that English nego-
tiators at Washington were cverreacned, and 1t was
evident that Mr.. Gladstone trying TO evade the
attack by falling in with the opposition to ascertain
the extent and denouncing the American claim as
prepOsterous ana absurd.
Mr. SHERMAN said he would not debate the ques-
ton lest he should be led INTO indlscrelion. as
Mr.. Patterson had just been. 1t would be better,
he thought not to undertake to discuss the motives
Of the English Prime Minister, at least until we had
Mo
port. He regarded the Treaty of Washington as
high and solemn contract between two nations, and
did not believe that after full consideration either
nation would be likely TO violate 1t. AS to
the pending resolution he thought 1t mad better
be referred to the Committee Foreign Relations.
If that committee desired any information IN the
Presidents possession 1t could easily obtain 1t, and
whenever the President received anything impor-
tant on the subject he would probably communf-
cate 1t without direct request OF the Senate. He
therefore moved to refer the resolution TO the COM
mttee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. PATTERSON, rep.) of N. H., denied that he
mad discussed the English Premier's motives. He
had only quoted his language. ana that he Insisted,
was insulting to this country,
Mr.. MORTON, rep) of Ind, suggested that Mr..
Edmunds should modify the resolution so as to ask
for information respecting ihe complaint made by
the British government against the case submitted
by the government OF the United States. The reso.
lutlon as stood, assumed that there was inten
ton to revoke the treaty, whereas neither the
Queens nor the Premier's speech animated any
such intention, but merely spoke OF demonstrating
against the case presented by the United states.
Mr. EpMuNps SAID MS resolution did not assume
that the British government intended TO revoke the
treaty; 1t merely assumed that That was alleged,
ana certainly 1t had been alleged very plainly. The
Speech Mr. Gladstone was reported to have said
that the American claims were "prep0sterous
and absurd, and such as no people in the
last extremitles Of war or IN the lowest
depths of national misfortune, with the spirit Of
England in their hearts, would ever submit ton II
this report was correct and II the English language
meant IN England what 1t means here, the Premier
certainly did Intimate that England would revoke
the treaty unless the United States would consent
to change or withdraw its case. However,
as his object in Offering the resolution was
merely to get the Information asked for, he would
accept the suggestion and modify the resolution;
but he objected to referring 1t TO the committee.
IL was an ordinary resolution Of inquiry,
such as IL had never been the custom to refer to q
committee, and he should leel mmeasurable humil-
alton If the Senate should resort to reference Tor
fear Of doing something to Iniure the feelings Of
Great Britain. The way TO preserve peace between
nations was to have candor and frankness; the way
to make war was to have cOncealment and intrigue;
and he hoped the Senate would adopt this resolu-
ton asking the President to communicate any In
formation III his possession upon this important
subject.
Mr. SHERMAN said that the habit OF passing reso.
lutions OF inquiry without referring them TO com.
mitees was bad one, which might well be de.
parted from, and this was very proper case for
reference. We had formed a treaty with a foreign
Power and had faithfully observed 1t In all respects.
The present condition Of our claim was not a
matter for the British government to deaf
with; it rested wholly with the President
and the agents he had chosen to present
the claim. Under these circumstances the proper
course for us was TO pursue the even tenor of our
way present our In simple, direct and moderate
terms, and there stand II political excitement on
the subject should arise in Great Britain we need
not notice It, but leave them to settle 1t their own
way, The agitation would subsde In due time.
He did not believe that the government or the
people of Great Britain would dare In the presence
OF the civilized world to revoke the treaty. The
public sentiment OF the world would not permit them
to do SO.
Mr.. PATTERSON was sorry to hear such intern.
perate language from the Senator from ONO (Mr.
Sherman Q.aughter.)
MIR. HAMLIN said there were occasions when 81.
fence was the highest wisdom, and he thought that
the brief debate that mad just occurred showed
that this was such an occasion. Upon this question
silence was craftsmanship. Believing that the
United states stood IN an impregnable position on
this question, and not having heard that any ocial
communication had been received In reference TO
IT, he thought It unwise TO agitate II in any way for
the present
Mr.. EpMUNDs-Does the Senator believe that 1t
would be offensive to the British government for the
Senate Of the United States to ask the President II
he has any information on the sunectS
Mr.. HAMLIN-No, air; 1 do not think 1t would be
offensive, but think 1t would show dissrust OF the
high position we occupy.
Mr.. EDMUSDs--Oh, no.
Mr.. HAMLIN--well, 1 move TO lay the resolution
on the table.