Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-06-11
Mr.. Summers Great Speech.

The Alexandria Gazette says of Mr. Summers
speech in the Senate on the 3lst ult., that sit
is one of the severest indictments against pub
lie officer ever made in Congress- 1t will be a
campaign document OF an extraordinary
character, will be extensively used, and cannot
fail of having a considerable influence in the
Presidential election. And it is not merely a
general accusation but has particulars and de-
tails. 1t dwells upon the Presidents nepotism
and gift taking-his appropriation of Offices
the military ring at the Presidents House-the
military interference at the elections-the inter-
ference in local poltics-the violation of the
laws-the President s ineffciency, &c I, &c All
these things have, from time to time, been
commented on by the public press, but never
before were they so condensed and powerfully
urged as they are in this speech. The Radical
leaders are themselves astonished at the force
and vim with which this attack upon the Pres
dent is urged. They are angry and disturbed,
And unfortunately for them, the speech is not
only bitter. but much of it, at least. true. and
unanswerable. In reference to the st. Domingo
affair, he says:
''The facts are indisputable, and nobody can
deny the gross violation of the Constitution and
of International Law with insult to the Black
Republic-the whole case being more repre-
hensibe, as also plainly more unconstitutional
and more illegal than anything alleged against
Andrew johnson on his impeachment.
ut has been often said that he took no note
of public affairs never voting but once in his
life, and then for James Buchanan"
Concerning the Presidents personal preten-
sions for re election he selects two typical in
stances es''-"Nepotsm and Gift-taking and
in regard to the former, says
Thirteen relations of the President are bill
leted on the country. not one OF whom but for
this relationship would have been brought for
ward, the whole constituting case of nepotism
not unworthy of those worse Governments
where office is family possession.
Of the latter he says:
"Notoriousy he has taken gifts while in the
public service, some, at least, after he had been
elected President, until "the Galena tanner of
few hundred dollars a year," to borrow the
words Of my colleague, Mr. Wilson, one of
his supporters, is now rich In houses, lands, and
stock, above his salary, being probably the
richest President since George Washington.
| Again referring to the St. Domingo affair,
and Fred. Douglass mission to Hsyti, be ac-
cuses the President, when entertaining the COM
mission, Of forgetting" Douglass altogether,
and treating with insensibility the representa-
tive of the African race:
He accuses the President of keeping alive all
old issues and not allowing them to be forget
| ten, and says
| u
| Judgment, while partisans acting in his behalf
make it absolutely necessary by the brutality OF
their assault on faithful Republicans unwilling
to see their party, like the presidential office,
personal perqusite. If his partisans are exact
ing, vindictive, and unjust, they act only il
harmony with his own nature too truly repre-
sented in them. There is not ring, whether
military or senatorial, that does not derive its
distinctive character from himself. Therefor,
what they do and what they say must be con
sidered as done and said by the chieftain the!
serve. And here is a new manifestation of tha
sovereign egotism which no taciturnity can cove
up, and new motive for inquiry into Its per
nicious influence.
Ia reference to the reduction of the publ
debt, under this administration, he says:
"Not to him can be attributed that genera
prosperity which is the natural outgrowth o
our people and country, for his contribution !
. not traced in the aboundlng result. Our golde
fields. productive mines, busy industry, divers
: fed commerce owe nothing to him. Show
then. his success Is it 10 the finances? Th
. national debt has been reduced but not to s
large an amount as by Andrew johnson 10 tn
g same space or time.
He concludes BY declariug that he will awai
the DISCRIMINATION of the Philadelphia Conver
tion in the hope that that body will save th
Radical party from the suicidal folly OF an !;
] sue on the personal pretensons of the man.
4 A little story comes from Detroit which hs
: a severe moral for those parents who are VOL
}, to disregard the fears OF their children. :.
Z father and mother went away 10 the, evenir
and left their little four year old boy alone, a
r though he begged piteousy to be taken becau
# he was afraid of the wolves and bears. Th'
y came back and found the child had become Il
same from fright, and is likely to be mopiI
g idiot for the rest of his days.
r AGooD TEMPERANCE SERMoN.-One of &
IT best temperance sermons ever delivered is
Is this sentence, IF it is small sacrifice for
e to give up drinking wine, do it for the sake
others if it is a great sacrifice, do it for 20
own sake."
l. Chronic cerebro spinal mendacity is the
L test phrase to designate the quality of cons
tutional liar