The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-21


As we learn from our dispatches it was what
the reporters would call gala day. All the
galleries were filed, and the Hobbies swarmed
with danes and gentlemen who could not gain
admission to the Chamber The gallant Senator
Fenton came to the rescue of the ladies', and
the odd spaces on the floor, the cloak rooms
and the cosey corners around the Vice
Presidents chair were decorated with
the gay colors of the ladies Of Wash
ington. Instead of grave and sober
Senate, drowsily listening to the still, sooth-
ing waters of an old-fashioned debate, it must
have reminded our exemplary Vice President
Of the scenes at the Young Mems Christian
Associations and temperance gatherings which,.
unmindful of his political duties in New
Hampshire and Connecticut, he now and then
honors with his exhortations.
The demagogues can always attract an
audience in Washington; therefore this SIN
gular gathering was only what the Senate wit
nesses when there is to be sharp debate.
Mr.. Schurz is master of speech. His style is
keen and logical, although there is poverty in
his rhetoric and especially bis colorlng, which
is not unusual to man who speaks strange
tongue The speech of the Senator was
marked with taste. There was logical dis
cipline in his phrases which satisfies the schol-
arly taste but it was dishonest speech. The
Senator occupied false position in twofold
sense. Claiming to be republican, holding
| an Office by the suffrages of republican State,
| and owing to that party manifold and distin-
guished honors far beyond that Of any young
man in the party, he has announced that, in
the event of the nomination of General Grant
By the Republican Convention, he will not
support the nomination Now, we care
| nothing about the republican or any
other party, and we would sup
port General Grant should he prove to be
as worthy as we have ever found him, no
matter what party nominated him. But there
is law of honor in politics as in everything
else, and by this law Mr.. Schurz is open to
the suspicion of being dshonored man. He
says to the republican party virtually, 81
remain with you to destroy you; l sit in your
caucus that l may act efficiently with the
| enemy; / make republican speeches as
democratic campaign documents, because in
| that way they are more efficient. We're l to
go over to the democrats and wear their
uniform, / should become as help
less as Dixon, of Connecticut, or
Doolttle, or Frank Blair, or poor old Andrew
Johnson, out in the political desolaton Of Ten
nessee. would be eclipsed, as they are
eclipsed, by Thurman and Casserly and Bay
: IN hot rtu T
not make terms with it." When the Hessians
and Swiss mercenaries took their money and
fell into line they were ordinary soldiers after
all. 1t ia surprising to us that Mr.. Schurz
should willingly occupy position which no
honorable member Of party can hold. 1t ia
still more surprising that the watery-mnded
leaders of the administration party should for
a moment permit it.
| This is a grave offence In a political view.
| However, the conscience of politicians is an
easy and yielding influence, and the accepted
ethics of party organizations are not always
marked by an exalted sense Of proprety. But
Mr.. Schurz has committed q still graver Of
fence. He is a Senator of the United States,
| and whatever honorable enthusiasm and affec-
ton he may entertain toward bis Fatherland,
his oath of citizenship, as well as his oath of
office, compels him to make every feeling sub
ordinate to his allegiance. There is nothing
which an independent sovereign State views
with more concern than illicit communication
between its citizens and subjects and any for
eign Power. When Citizen Genet came to the
| United States, as the Minister of the French
republic, and endeavored to array the public
| sentiment of the country against Washington,
because of what the impatient Frenchman
regarded as Washington's lukewarmness
towards the new republic, he was promptly
suppressed, although the political effect Of
that proceeding was as hazardous in its way
as General Grants offence against the mys-
ferrous ogre called the German vote. The
country was enthusiastic in its friendship for
gantly in favor of the new republic; but
when the French Envoy attempted to invade
the dignity of the Executive Office the repub-
lie was as one man against him. There is no
name more infamous in our politics than that
of Aaron Burr. His services in the Revolu
ton, his skill in politics. his extraordinary
genius and requirements, his confessed supe-
riorty as statesman and jurist, did mol
save him from q fate so terrible thai
it is mournful even in its just severity
Aaron Burr was certainly the intel
lectual peer of Mr.. Schurz or even
Mr.. Sumner, and at one time stood as high
in the esteem of the people. He criticised
General Washington, as these eminent Senators
have criticised Grant, as o dull, heavy,
mediocre soldier and the centre of military
ring, as grasping as any ring that has sur
rounded the present administration. He went
further in his opposition, for those were fight
ing days, and accompanied the head of this