The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-05

were damaged or otherriye unsuitable
for the United States military service or
for the militia Of the United States, and
under this the Chief of Ordnance haG
assumed the right to sell large num-
Der of breach loading rifles OF the pat
tern Of 1866, and that at time when
the militia throughout the country were
armed with old muzzle-loaders.
LAME EXCUSE.
Mr.. Morton said that the breech-load
ers were of discarded pattern, and
that twas the intention of the govern
ment 10 arm the militia with an improv
ed rife. In view of this fact, therefore,
the discarded rifles did not properly
come within the CLASSES Of ordnance
stores mentioned in the statute.
Mr. Schurz said that the Secretary OF
War and the Chief of Ordnance had some
doubt about the propriety Of their .ac-
ton at the time, and he had letter
from the Chief of Ordnance to Gener-
al Belknap stating thot the arms SO sold
were fit for the United States service
He felt authorized, therefore, to charge
FLAGRANT AND MANIFEST BREACH OF
LAW.
He charg cd it on the showing of the
Chief of Ordnance himself, and if there
was to he any quibblipg about this point
he would be glad to hear it at once -
Possibly an attempt would, be made to
explain it away too, but he would ask
the Senate what would become OF. pop
ular respect for the laws if the law ma
kers thus recklessly quibbled away their
meaning? What would become of con
stitutional government in this country
if the executive officers of the govern
ment were to be allowed to feel that
they might disregard the plainest pro
visions Of law, and that, like Caesar Au
gustus they could always rely upon a
submissive ard obedient Senate He
begged the Senate to remember that
there was ..,..
MORE Ar STAKE THAN CARTRIDGES
or cash. On the third point Mr.. Schurz
argued that the facts already shown
were enough to justify suspicion Of a
corrupt transaction. The testimony of
Remington and of the French officials,
already referred to; the anxiety of the
Chief of Ordnance to aid Remington in
settling his accounts in France relating
to the same transactions, for which lie
(Remington) had been ostensibly driv-
en- out Of the War Department; the diff.
ference between the amounts paid by
the French and those received by our
government; the jeoparHizihg of ouI
national relations, the risking of oul
internal harmony, the fragrant and con
fessed violation of law by the War De
faltment; and the mysterious disap-
pearance Of sums Of money-all these
facts and circumstances went to show
that there was ground for suspicion arc
for investigation. And the Senators OF
the other side knew it and felt it keehly
as WAS shown by these attempts to di
vert the Senate. and .tha country from
the true question bv charging those who
urge this resolution with acting a,
French agents and with want OF patti
otism. These charges we're
9e rLIMsY AND ABSURD.
1t was the DUTY of the government &c
investigate this matter, and if tho
wrongs charged upon The Executive De
partment have been committed it wa.
he auty of the Legislative department
of the government TO frankly and bod.
ly disavow them. That was the only
course worthy Of the American. Repub
lie, end therefore he was not afraid t.
discuss these matters, in the Senate and
deuouncc The wrong in them, for he re-
membered that Cohdcn and Brig hit, when
key warned the British Parliament oi
the consequences of its conduct during
the rebellion, were far better patriots
than those who decricd them for it =
Mr.. Schulz then spoke of the amend
mont offered by MIR. Conkling, ordering
the committee 10 inquire whether any
Senator. or American citizen had been
in cullusion with any foreign agent OF
spy. de-, and said it was subject OF
rather painful character. He regret.
ted that the Senator had introduced tina,
amendment, for his own sake. He re.
minded him that spies were used only
in time of war, and suggested that he
should strike out that word from the
amendment as likely 10 be offensive to
the French government Messrs. Nor.
ton and Conkling had offered
A GROSS INSULT TO TIE GERMAN GOVERN
by assuming that the agitation of this
question might affect the decision of the
German Emperor as arbitrator between
the United States and Great Britain. and
now the Senator from New York was
going to insult the French government
also. If this amendment meant any
thing it meant collusion Of an improper
nature and for improper purposes, and
everybody knew that it was aimed a,
three Mr.. Sumner, himself
(Mr. Schurz). and tho Marquis dt
Chambrun. lie (Mr. Schurz) would
vote for the amendment, and lie woult
give the Senate some evidence in ad
vance Of the Investigations the Mar
luis de Chambrur was no spy. He was
the legal adviser CT the French legation
a French gentleman of distinguished
family, and of high character and attain
ments. Further, he was
NOT THE MAN
who had given Mr.. Schuz The first in
formation on this suhjccA Laughter.
But, CONTINUED MIR. Schurz, what i
tie spirit of this amendment? hav
said that / regretted tor the sake Of tn
gentleman who introduced it. l d,
not know that can make myself INTEL
igible to his mind or to his moral feel
ing, except in one way, by supposin:
that / had introduced an amendment di
reeting the committee to inquire. Also
whether all those who gave letters o
introduction TO Remington to Franc
were guilty Of corrupt practices in con
nection with these transactions, Doe
the Senator want TO know why did no
doit? 1t was because l considered it inf
nitcly beneath me. (Applause in the gal
l., \