The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-04

Words or tho Massachusetts Leader.
We publish in the HERALD to-day an inter-
esting speech from Senator Summer reviewing
the issues involved in the Presidential cam
paign, and giving at greater length than here
tofore his reasons for supporting Mr.. Greeley
in preference to General Grant. Mr. Sumner
has recently been in feeble health, and, under
the advice of his physicians, he has allowed
his speech to be printed instead OF delivering
it at Faneuil Hall, as he had intended to do,
in response to the invitation of the Massachu-
sets Liberal Republican State Committee. The
Senator left for Europe yesterday on the
steamer Malta, and hence this will probably be
his last contribution to the liberal cause in this
election. It is well, therefore, that it is dis
tinct and emphatic in its uttetances and that
it leaves no doubt as to the sentiments of its
author. Whether it will prove o valuable aid
to Mr. Greeley OF this time or will fail to make
any marked impression on the country re-
mains to be seen. The opinions Of Mr. Sum-
ner ore always received with the respect and
examined with the attention due to the views
of o man of superior intellect and strict
integrity; but it is questionable whether his
parting words throw any new light on the
pending issues or are likely to make any
converts at this late day of the campaign.
They will serve, however, to prove that the
Senator'S position has been firmly taken, and
that he Is fixed in his conviction that a change
in the national administration is desirable
| for the best interests Of the country. We be-
| lieve that he might have done better service to
the cause he advocates had his health per-
mitted him to devote his mind to a searching
examination of the more serious questions
| involved in the present contest. He might
have proftably reviewed the financial policy
Of the government for the last four years,
and have favored US with his views as to the
effect q change of administration from Grant
to Greeley would be likely to have upon the
moneyed and commercial interests of the
country. The people would have been glad to
have read his criticism on the foreign policy
of Secretary Fish as developed in our relations
with England, Spain and Mexico-a subject
upon which he is peculiarly qualified to speak.
His speech bears the impress Of disinclina-
ton to enter too deeply into the controversies
now agitating political circles, united with
desire to do all in his power for the liberal
candidates and to draw public attention to
what he regards as the errors and offences of
the existing administration. Ne ~ ar
Senator Sumner gives prominence to two
reasons why he prefers Mr.. Greeley to General
Grant as the next President of the United
| Stntes. First, because the liberal republican
| :Joka osv.1
beginning with the Zone term" principle,
without which, Mr.. Sumner believes, reform
is TOO much like sham; and second, because
he represents reconciliation, not only between
the two sections, but between the two races
o consummation essential to the repose of the
country and to the safeguard of equal rights.
It would have been better if the speech had
been confined to the consideration Of these
two points, both Of which ore material; but
the Senator DIVORCES from them to comment
over again on his old arraignment Of President
Grant for nepotism, gift-taking and usurpa-
ton Of power for corrupt purposes in the st.
Domingo business. It is singular that the
politicians cannot understand the people sufi-
GENTLY well to know that no person cares how
many relatives the President may have in pub
lie Offices, 80 long as they perform
their duties honestly and efficiently,
or how many testimonials of personal
esteem and gratitude may have been offered
| to the General who led the Union army to
victory against the troops Of the rebel Con-
federacy. The times have changed since
Washington and Jefferson were ct the head of
the nation, and the people do not now believe
that President must necessarily be corrupt
because he appoints O cousin to o clerkship or
q brother-in-law to a collectorship. Neither
do they feel disposed to object to the reception
of testimonial by soldier who has done
good service for the country, however much
they may admire the blunt honesty of the gal
liant Thomas, who somewhat roughly replied
to those who offered him present of one hun
dred thousand dollars, 'Let it 60 to my men,"
AS to the worn-out St. Domingo business, the
people have grown weary Of it and pay no
attention to anything that may be said on the
subject Senator Summers allusion to it is
simply waste Of ammunition. His disclaimer
of personal motives in his opposition to the
tob, and his quotations from his speeches,
addresses, letters and Congressional acts
for the past ten years to prove his
consistent advocacy of peace and reconcilia.
tons, are equally unnecessary. The Ameri-
can people know Charles Sumner and do not
require any evidence of his integrity and con-
sistency other than is supplied by long and
honorable career. - .~.r q. ~
The important point of Senator Summers
speech is contained in his plea for reconcilia-
ion between the two sections of the country
and the two races as essential to peace and
happiness. In this he touches the popular
sentiment, and his words are the more valua-