The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-12

tesque on these conventions as they pass int
accomplished facts we may do q service to
humanity in unearthing what there may be of
innocent mirthfulness in their bringing forth
Ano French Arms Fizxle; or, Much
Ado About Nothing-Tho Folly or
Petty Politicians.
Inc report of the Committee of the United
states Senate on the government sale of arms
70 the French is curious document. II
proves, as matter of course that the affair
was mere piece of political -trap. con-
cocted for the purpose of iniurinc the admins
tration of General Grant with the cer,no,,
population; but it needed no elaborate COM
ments of committee to establish that fact
The evidence showed conclusively the con-
temptible character of the charges, and the
Germans are intelligent enough to understand
and judge for themselves in such contro-
versy. It would have been quite sufficient for
the majority Of the investigators to have said
IN so many words that not particle of testi-
mony had been produced to substantiate the
indictment brought against the administra-
ton, that no improper act on the part of any
person in authority had been shown, and that
the whole affair, from beginning to end, was
political movement directed against General
Grant by his personal enemies. But the
committee have thought proper to go further
than this, and have made themselves as ridicu-
lous in their report as Senators Schurz and
Sumner made themselves in originating the
investigation. They have travelled out of the
way to assail Sumner for his refusal to testify
before them, and in their efforts to make q
point against that Senator have accused him of
desiring ito invoke artificial and arbitrary
immunities belonging to feudal days and rest
ing upon monarchical principles and the exist
ence Of caste in society,"" Fudge! Either
Senator Sumner was bound to reply to the
interrogatories Of the committee, or he was
privileged to remain silent If the former, he
could have been compelled to answer; if the
latter, he had the right to hold his tongue;
and, however injudicious and unfair the selec-
ton might have been, he chose to avail him
self of that right The people have their own
appreciation of men who, either as legislators
or journalists, use their privilege to malign
individuals and stink out of making
good their assertions when offered an
opportunity to do SO. But when the COM
mittee strain the English language and ex-
haust the stock of adjectives in an endeavor to
show that the refractory witness sought to
"clothe himself with the immunities which
pertained in ancient times to persons Of GER
tain rank or CASTE they only weaken their own
case. If, as they charge, Sumner was guilty
Of "disobedience to ON act Of Congress, and
Of contempt Of the body Of which he is a
member" in his action before them, they have
certainly shown neglect of duty or cowardice
in failing to call him to o reckoning.
In like manner the remarks in the report re-
lating to the Marquis de Chambrun are in bad
taste and unworthy of the Senate Of the United
States. They are likely to lead to not very
crediable controversy, for no doubt the
Frenchman will defend himself from the
attack. What do the American people
care about M. de Chambrun's in
trigues, jealousies and personal squabbles?
The Senate Committee was appointed
to inquire whether, in certain transactions to
which our government was party. any MEM
Der of the administration, from the President
down, had been guilty Of an improper, illegal
or dishonest act? The testimony disproves
all such charges or suspicious, and it would
have been more dignifed and becoming if the
committee had stated that fact in calm and
emphatic language and left the people to form
their own judgment of the motives and posi-
ton of those who were instrumental in origi-
mating the SANDER. The administration of
President Grant not only comes out of the in
vestgation untarnished, but its straightforward
honesty in the whole transaction stands forth
in marked contrast to the notorious swindling
and thieving that marked every sale or purchase
of arms under former administrations. 1t is
to be regretted that the petty politicians of the
Senate Committee have weakened the force of
these strong facts by their diluted silly report.
The Church Question In Prussia.
The war still continues in Prussia between
the State and the Church. The Minister of
Public Instruction and Bishop CremenK are
still at dagger's point over the excommunica-
ton pronounced by the latter against Professors