Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-04-11
Dealing Justly.

Har,JS u GcfiY IS olteil ao.t ~ "
Justice to opponents II Is an earn
est, heated champion OF President
Grant, yet in is comments onihe de-
bate on the Sale Of Arms, in the Sen
ate. it condemns some OF the Adj
ministra,ion Senator's, and defends
,he character Of Summer and schurz.
1t is the only Administration organ
in the country, to our knowledge,
that has had the candor to do So
LET us speak frankly We do not
believe, as we said last week, That
NE investigation would have been
demanded at the time and IN the
way that it was, had its movers been
friendly to the Administration OF
General Grant. And in the irrita'
ton of hot debate II was not surpris-
inc that an amendment should have
peen proposed virtually alleging that
Senators Sumner and Schurz had
been in unlawful collision with the
em:ssary OF foreign Government to
1iscredit their own. But If not sur
nrisinm, it was very unfortunate. In
the fist place, il had inevitably the
aspect of 4 threat Of the most intol.
cradle kind. The two Senator's had
moved for an investigation INTO what
they alleged TO be suspicious trans
actions of the Government. I'm
doubtedly they may have been po-
fticallv biased in their action. Bun
political bias is not detestahic OF
tense, ike collision with foreign
power: and although such feelings
carry men often further than they in
tend, it is ridtta1oas to suppose ttai su6l
~a5 tie fact IN this instance. The ~
rany IN England when Algernor
Sidney lived may have seemed &c
many to justify dealing with for
cigner in the supposed interest O
English liberty. But the mere sus
picon Of such collision is the dark.
est charge against that English re-
publican and political MARTYR. The
amendment OF which we speak had
therefore, the appearance, which VIC
know perfectly well was its miStor
time and not its intention, of a threat
of fine and imprisonment leveled at
two Senators for doing their duty
And this was the more unfortunate
as it was proposed and supported by
those who are distinc;lSely called the
friends of the Administration.
But it was sill further unfortunate
because OF the character of the Scna
tors at whom it was aimed.
To ask any intelligent Americar
citizen whether lie believes tina,
Charles Sumner, of all men III The
country, has had unlawful dealing:
with foreign emissary is TO invite :
smile. Mr.. Schnrz is a German y,
birth; and as the offense alleged wa.
lur the benefit OF France, it may b,
supposed by some persons that loy,
OF his nativc land had unccnseiousl,
carried him further than he i!aean, L
80. Bat against al such suspicious
as against every suspicion Which Ia
been Indirectly cas-, darn. the de
bate upon the Secretary Of Wal
stands character Happily that j
still good against suspicion and ap
parent evidence. Ii there were fit,
witnesses to swear that the Secrct,i
~ Of War had done IA unman'y o.
consciously unlawful act, his person
al character would Wi,her them all
There arc charges that can no NOR,
stand against character than dre,
leaves against a fire. They are in
siantly and utterly consumed. Sual
are insinuatlons that Mr.. Sa3aner n
Mr.. Schurz has dealt nn,aei,iiiy viii
a foreign agent, or that TIE Secre
tary Of War had betrayed his trust
II was observed that during Mr.
Summers closing speech the Engllsl
sili lister was an attentive listener ii
he diplomatic gallery. "lIow ioll,
II must be-" said one who was pres
cnt, for the English minister t,
li"ar Mr.. Sumner suggesting that til,
lnitel States have violated thci
neutral duties The minister vii
think tha. England is no. such sin
n"r after all But It was suggested
l.. reply that a man who did net hes
a'ato to remind his own country @
a,,r duty spoke with a hundredlo!t
Greater power when he denounced
she derclictions OF other countries
,or his words arc then evidently in
splrcd by regard for justice and
a.race. and by no lower motive