Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-06
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. }
March !. 1872.


the past three weeks, came to an end at last
ON Thursday. The innocent looking rcsolu-
lion of inquiry into the alleged violation Of
neutrality by the sale of arms, like the wood
en- horse at The siege of Troy, was filed with
armed mon, who, as soon rs the resolution
was introduced, sprang out, and attacked the
administration of Gen. Grant in the most
reckless and malignant manner,
The real question at issue, as plainly stat
ed 10y senator Sherman, was, Shall Prcsi-
dent Grant be re-nominated and re-electedY'
The real attitude of Senators Schurz and
Sumner, stripped of its pretcnce Of superior
devotion to the honor of the country, was
pointcdly characterized by Senator Edmunds
as Setting the country right by first put
ting her ia the wrong, and of " Saving her
honor by exposing her to dishonor." Ia the
course of one OF his short pungent speeches,
Senator Elmund- said no enemy Of the coun-
try could have urged upon the Senate with
moro persistence than these Senators no
paid counsel could have been more assiduous
than thoy in retailing shrcds of gossip, the
ntuc of correspondents, and the like, of
siandcrers. all of which tended to nothing
else Cham The dishonor of their country.
These Senators claim great love for their
country. Yet what have they done but to
drag !, down. They are Astounding in pa
rioiism, yet they come in here and make
charges as To discrepancies based on the re-
port of an expert, who whether French or
Prus,an, knew, by the very documents which
Joe proicssed 10 examine, that his report was
ialsehood And these Senators did not as
hcy might without the least trouble. 20 to
the Department TO ascertain whether this
discrepancy really existed Nor was this
the case, but the French official document
had been translated incorrectly. The docu-
mout alluded 10 arms bought lin the Unit
cd States. 1t was translated so as to read
from. This was scandaous, and yet in
such piece of yillainy as this was the effort
made 90 get mp this reflection on their own
country by these Senators
The facts have already warranted. and the
Investigation will Justify, the use of this plain
and lorcble language. The administration
has passed through the fiery furnace of the
hottest political discussion on record un-
scathed and it win come forth from the in
yestgaiion vindicated and approved The
entire country understands the base political
character and object of the assault. and its
utter failure What was meant as a crush
ing blow at Gen Grant has not only already
resulted in a complete victory, but it will do
more than any single effort of his own friend,
20 ensure his denomination and election.
When discussion had at last exhausted H.
self and a vote was about to be reached
Senator Sumner, seeing that his hbelous
and offensive preamble would be slammed
with the almost unanimous reprobation Of
The Senate, made repeated efforts to save il
from this disgrace by Withdrawing it. Thi.
being prevented by objection, it was finally
laid upon the table-a genteel form of exc
cution-by a vote of 40 to /. Senator Ed.
munds only voting in the negative.-proba-
bly, because he was opposed to allowing it to
escape SO easily. The resolution of inquiry
was then adopted by a vote of so to 3. Be-
fore the committee was nominated. Mr.. sum
ner arose and said that as his name had been
mentioned as a member of the committee.
and IFS possible chairman he desired 10 saw
that his health was in such condition as to
prohibit his serving on the committee at all.
Senator Cameron Of Penn. then introduced
a resolution, naming the committee, with
Mr.. Sumner as its chairman; but, upon his
positivplv dpcliuin0 Sou,tor IIo,,l;,, $40.
substituted as chairman, with Senators Car
penter, sherman. Sawyer Logan, Stevenson
and Harlan named as members Of the com
mlt'ee'
The event of the week was the arrival here
ON Thursday of the long looked for, and
much delayed, japanese Embassy They
were brought here from Chicago in a special
train OF i've Of the most magnificent Pullman
pa'"C' cars 'ne elegance and comfort Of
''','' mus nave gwen 'h'm Keen appre'
o ,u, " '''' 'l"'eing advantages OF modern
'''N'''''"' TIL, hinp'Ssy Is inc most I'M
''',' mas ever leil Japan peihg
,;.' ~ '''' ,'s"'s' oi'iC'"' representa-
Wv, ''''', y" ~, i''i '''c"'S % 'he japan
''',,,''''' '''' '"ui''oii. turing lhell
.' 80 " ,''''''H ''n' ,'ey VIII occupy as men
\ Wv P,''' VI '''' a i''ns'on known as
','''''N Il'n''' anu Tue TWO ilne houses
va 'i'''0n' avenue "hlch nave
-, T., l,,'''''' ''',r ~, "p anu iurnisheu ioi
~, C pm we're met at tne ue-
i,'n H. w. ' NooN ''n' o,n'r iocai onciais
rt;ah h.n,, pew '''''ieS' VI welcome
,"''' P'e'eu' was repleu TO by
hlo re,,orls NtindoI ar1,1 e
viii, which tr,irs o.o .,,,,,,.., -, :, ~
short curves or ,ho Rol,i,aoro 6 o. or p 'H'
road in COMING over tbe Auonhon,, NJ.
Gains he added with ovnrossi7.a o,.,,, -
d. am worry gl,d ot bo,,ini, a,.;,,.J .le'
baving mot vim ma ocoid'nt ;,
ru...n
-. l'",''9' VIM nave ever VS.
hnt ., - 'Dv9 e'e sii'i' II, stature
' ',r' =, ''''''V ''''n'y ior"'eu' lhey nave