Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-06-11
The ADMINISTRATION ARRAIaNED
Bitter and Characteristic Speech by senator
Simmer In Opposition TO President Grant
His Personal Character, Ability and
Motives vIndictIveIy Assaulted.

II -ue OnlIeu OJaJeS senate on
Friday, 3 t ult., Mr.. Sumner offered
series OF resolutions on the settle
ment of the international difficulties
by arbitration, and proceeded to de-
liver q lengthy speech, severely at
lacking the administration of Presi-
dent Grant.
Mr. Sumner opened his speech
with the announcement that he was
member of the Republican party
and one ofthe straightest of the sects.
He had never failed to sustain its
candidates and advocate its princi-
Piles. He had stood by its cradle and
was not willing to follow its hearse.
He then proceeded to detail the rise
and progress of the party and his
connection with it,. Once "principle"
was inscribed on its victorious ban
ners-not a name only. But disas-
trous change, exalting the will of one
man above all others, became mani
fest when the President precipitated
upon the country, his ill-considered,
lll-omened scheme of the annexation
ola portion of San Domingo. In re-
ferring to this measure, the speaker
accused the President of treading
under foot the constitution in one of
its most distinctive republican prin-
ciples-seizing the war power of the
nation and outraging international
law.
Speaking of the efforts to secure
the denomination of Grant, he said
bis name had become sign of dis
cord, dividing the Republican party.
The Presidential Office is treated as
little more than a perquisite or play
thing. Palace cars, fast horses and
seaside lettering figure more than
public duties. Personal aiDs have
been more prominent thap public in
terests. His office has been used to
advance the interest of his own fans
lily on scale of nepotism dwarfing
everything of the kind in history
Offices have been conferred upon per-
sons from whom he received gifts or
benefits, thus making the country
repay his personal obligations. Per-
sonal devotion to himself rather than
public or party service had been
made the standard of favor. The
appointing power had been employ
ed TO promote personal schemes, to
reward friends and punish enemies,
and advance his own second term
The President is the supreme law,
and maintaining this subservience, he
has surrounded himself by combin-
alton of rings. This utterly ire.
sponsible C@sarism has mastered the
Republican party, and dictated the
Presidential will, extending into the
Senate Chamber itself, while vindic.
tive spirit visits good Republicans
who can not submit.
The chosen head of the Republic
is known chiefly for his Presidential
pretensions, utterly indefensible ia
character, derogatory to the country
and full Of evil influences, making
personal objects primary pursuit,
so that instead of a benefcent pres
ence, he is bad example. through
whom Republican institutions suffer,
and the people learn wrong. Caesar
ism 10 Europe is at a discount. Per-
sonal government has been beaten in
that ancient field, and Caesar with a
Senate at his heels is not a fl model
for our Republic.
Mr.. Sumner related conversation
with Stanton in Dec, 1869, in which
the latter said Grant could not gov
ern the country, and although he
had made successive speeches in the
states of Ohio aud Pennsylvania, he
never introduced the name of Grant,
but spoke for the Republican party
and the cause. The speaker referred
TO the personal claims Of Gen. Grant
for denomination, and again spoke in
strong terms of nepotism and gift
taking referred to Grant as the
richest President since Washington
as one who appointed to his cabinet
Greeks bearing gifts.
The Senator then referred to the
Presidents military career, and cit
ed historical instances, such as Fred
eIick the Great, Gustavus Adolphus,
Marlborough and the Duke of Well
ington, to prove that great generals
are unsuccessful as civilians and fail-
ures as statesmen. 1t would be hard
to find anything in native endowr
ments or in the training of our chief.
tain to make him an illustIious ex..
ception.
1t is not known that our chieftain
had an experience as a civilian until
he became President, nor does any
partisan attribute to him Che double
culture which in antiquity made the
same man a soldier and statesman.
After leaving West Point be became
a captain in the army, but soon aban-
doned the service to re-appear, at q
later day, as a successful general
There is no reason TO believe that he
employed the intermediate period in
any way calculated to improve him
as q statesman. lie was earning a
few hundred dollars a year by tan.
ming hides at Galena BY the war he
passed to be President; and such
/ >" as us pa P0A oSiou W gON6Eu u 2TtaI
republic, making it an example to
mankind.
He next spoke of the military ring
at the White House, and said the ex-
ecutive mansion had assumed the
character of military headquarters,
to the dishonor of the civil service
and the total Disregard of precedent.
The Senator made this expose with
unspeakable sorrow, but the Presi-
dent himself forces the issue upon
this presentment, and as a candidate
for reelection invites judgment upon
it. Can Republican, without de.
parting from all obligation of party
and patriotism, recognize our ambi-
tons Cesar as fit representative
Can we take the fearful responsibility
of his prolonged empire As for my
self, L am no mans man, and don't
belong to any personal party.