Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
RENATH-


WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-Mr. Fenton pre-
sented petition Of New York merchants
favoring reform of the civil service, and in
seizure of books Of merchants. He said the
subject was one of the first Importance.
The subject of this petition, he said, was
largely embraced in the customhouse ser
vice bill, with he would move to take up
as soon as the amnesty bill be disposed of.
Washington Carpet Baggers.
Mr.. Sumner presented memorial of the
househOlders of the District of Columbia,
asking aid of Congress to protect them
against the extravaganza of the territorial
government, and setting forth that it has
already increased a debt OF $4,000, 900,
equal to one-sixth of the value of the whole
district.
Lucy Stone.
Mr.. Wilson presented memorials of Lucy
Stone and others for woman's suffrage and
right to Office in territories.
The Alabama War-CIOud.
Mr.. Edmunds offered resolution asking
the President to send the Senate any infor-
nation in his possession relative to IT, al
legged intention of Great Britain to revoke
the Treaty Of Washington unless the claims
OF the United States shall be presented upon
principle and in a manner agreeable to the
other party. He said it was extremely de-
sirable to have this information. No one
felt more deeply than he did the desirable
ness of peace between nations. The people
OF the United States had shown their desire
for peace by submittingto arbitration claims
which they felt ought not to be submitted
to any tribunal but themselves; but the
British Government and nation had had full
notice that the claim for consequential dam
ages was to be made. If they were now
about to repudiate the treaty, let us say,
Amen, and take care to enter into no more
treaties with powers so ready to break them,
and at the proper time take measures to
Vindicate our national honor and enforce oar
just claims.
Mr.. Edmunds spoke at great length upon
the treaty of Washington and claimed that
the record Of evidence we have demonstra-
ted beyond any reasonable cavil, not only
that the letter and text Of the
treaty fairly includes the making of
these consequential claims. He continued:
81 do not say it includes the paying of
them, that is one of the matters which we
agreed to arbitrate. 1t may be that they
will be decided against US. That is anoth-
er question, but the right to make these
claims and have the fair and unbiased judg-
ment of the tribunal of arbitration upon
them is found in the very letter of the treaty.
1t is found in the fact that for years the
English Government and nation had had
notice of the fact that these damages &C
cruing were a part of the claim, part of
ground for reimbursement which the people
Of the United States thought was just and
proper ground for reimbursement. l
nope in the interest of honor and peace that
;he reports of wish on the port of Eng
land to repudiate the treaty one newspaper
If, however, upon obtaining this
which hope we shall ask for,
it shall appear that that the reports are true
it wiz be a subject for earnest considera-
lion, and steps Of preparation and precau-
lion should be taken in order that our honor
ane our just rights may be upheld. Ihope,
therefore, that the resolution may be |
adopted at this time unanimously.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Edmund's re |
marks Mr. Morton obtained the floor but |
ave way to Mr.. Trumbull.
Mr.. TrIImbull said: If the United States |
lesired to provoke breach of the treaty, |
70 more etfectual way to do it could be |
Ound than this insult to Great Britain. |
The British Parliament had not yet met /
and we had no trustworthy information |
whatever that the British Government did |
not intend to stand by the treaty. Yet the
Senate was asked to pass resolution as
'uming that the treaty was to be revoked
Mr.. Edmunds replied that the British
newspapers reported the government had
he subject under consideration, and as to
he meeting of Parliament,this was a mat
er which did not necessarily require par
iamentary action at all. His resolution
vas merely an ordinary resolution of in
Iuiry, which assumed nothing, and he did
lot see why it should excite the Senator's
p Nh. Trumbull insisted thai, the last clause
f the resolution undertaking to state the
round upon which the revocation of the
reaty was contemplated did contain an as
He said it was shocking that
pon a question WEIGH threatened the
eaCe Of the two greatest nations of the
7orld, one Of these nations should be tax
lg action upon what might prove to be a
lere newspaper cam.
Mr.. Edmunds said that to relieve the
lind Of Senator Trumbull he would strike
ut the last Clause Of the resolution, begin
lAi5 WIN VIC mOIu 'llll0SSs NulCu was |
one.
Mr.. Cameron, Chairman of the Commit
,e on Foreign Relationship. President:
do not know why this resolution is offer
i. 1 cannot imagine that the Government
IN possession of any such information as
he resolution calls for. have no idea that
ne British Government is going to repu-
late the treaty or any part Of it, and 1
i I
7Ould be guilty of an act of such wrong to
S and dishonOr and disgrace to themselves.
Mr.. Robertson called up the regular order,
be amnesty bill, and the resolution went
yer.
Mr.. Edmunds gave notice that he would
all it up tomorrow and urge its passage.
The amnesty bill was discussed by Messrs.
herman, Thurman, Morton and Freling-
uysOn until O'Clock, when the Senate
-ent into executive session, and soon ad-
burned. "