Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-06-05
Senator Summers Speech.

Senator Summers Speech.
We surrender a share Of our space this
week to an abstract Of the speech Of Senator
Sumner, in order that our readers may see
just what kind Of language and arguments
are relied upon to defeat the reelection Of
General Grant, aud that they may see, too,
how a blind and bitter hatred toward another
will sometimes warp and dstoit the judgment
Of the best minds.
Mr.. Sumner has concentrated into this
speech the gall and NORWOOD Of many
months distillation, and careful analysis of
the speech, which we bcspeak at the hands Of
our readers will show little or nothing be-
sides. For facts for figures, and for solid
reasoning, we look in vain. The entire
speech is distinguished solely as being the
vent Of mere personal spleen. Nowhere is
any credit given for the great work Of the
administration nowhere do we find aught
but vindictive malace and bitter personal
hatred. He Ignores every question Of states
mansbip, aud every question which relates TO
the good Of the country or of the people
All the benifcent results which have followed
the wise measures Of the administration are
flung aside, and his speech is characterized
by mastery effort to magnify its "hy
specks," and parade them in the most en-.
venomed language before the gaze Of the
world. lie talks savagely about Rings,
which investigations set on foot at his own
instigation have failed to disclose and swells
into alarming proportions the stale charges Of
nepotism, Of gift taking of admiring good
horses, Of spending a portion Of his summer
at the seaside, and Of riding in palace cars.
In this particular Mr.. Sumner ves with
Dana, Of the New York Sun. Both parties
vent their spleen in the same stereotyped
charges, for which they ought to receive I
patent, and the extreme finishes and weak
ness of which show better than anything els'
the lack Of grayer charges, which can be laic
at the door of the President. Both are a
emnity with the President on purely persona
grounds and seek to drag the country int
their purely personal quarres. In this it i
plain to see they will be disappointed. Thu
country is fully convinced that the admins
tration of General Grant has been in thu
main eminently wise and patriotic, and hal
| .aI nd n
economy remarkable in the annals Of the ad
miuistrations of our country, and it bother
its head but little whether Charles A. Dan,
be Collector of the Port Of New York, OIL
Charles Sumner be Chairman of the Senat,
Committee OF Foreign Affairs, or not
The speech was evidently made with view
to influencing the Philadelphia Convention
for at the very time of its delivery hundred
Of delegates to that convention were in Wash
iugton, and many of them listened to it. |
, is not at all probable that any Of them woul
' suffer themselves to be biased by this FISH
woman's TRADE Of SANDER and vituperation
and, happily, the people representing tn
party which elevated General Grant to tn
Presidency four years since, in view of hi
wise administration Of its affairs, have alread
taken the matter into their own hands, an
have signifed 10 their election of delegates /,
that convention desire for his renominatio
land reelection.
It is not pleasant for us to write thes
/ things of Mr.. Sumner For years we hav
looked up to him as the foremost man in a
: the country, and as one who always subor
dinated self aud self-interest to the best in
terests of the country. We write therefor
of his present vindictive and malignant effort
more in sorrow than in anger, lie has don
much for the country, and is entitled to muc
consideration, but others are entitled to jus
as much. Even he whom he so vlely assault
is the very man who took command of OF
= armies at time Of general depression at
c gloom, and conducted us to glorious success.
& was called, like Washington, its father, by Il
i. spontaneous voice Of the people to the Pres
e Dental chair the man whose administratic
n has been distinguished by tranquility, pre-
perity and progress the calm, modest, Sc
poised hero-President, equally successful
: war and in peace. Is it for Mr.. Sumner
,naign aud vilify this man as though he we
IN common villain2 Does he suppose t
Is people have forgotten these illustrious Sc
=, vices Docs he imagine that patriotism a
gratitude are dead? Let him take
MS course. If we must part with him, so be
w 1t is for tho Republican party to say WI
bit Republication is, and then it is for him
a say whether he will trample upon the reco
~ !, of his life, and ally himself with the foes
en- every cause he has ever advocated