New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-01


PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION OF NvEsTIGA-
PARTING SHOTS FROM SENATORS MORTON
AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE
PREAMBLE
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THR TRrBUNRl
WASHINGTON, Feb 29.-The long agony in
the Senate IT, at last and Mr. Summers resolution,
ordering into the circumstances attend
ing the sale of to France has been passed. The
speech made by Senator Carpenter. and Is
acknowledged by all to be by far the abes on the Adj
minstration side which has been made, and almost the
only that side which showed disposition
to grappe with the real questions at issue and
dispose OF them. Mr. Carpenter devoted the greater
part OF his speech n the international aspect Of the cae
the position which he took that any nation may by
the rules Of International law, sell arms munitions OF
war; supplies &c. to any other nation, whether the lat
ter DO at at peace, provided discrimination be
made against q nation with which our relations are
friendly. He went further, and said that two
nations at peace might make treaty by which each
should agree seto the other in should be In
voved In war; material of any kind, open ts ports
to the pnysteers Of the other excluding, at
the same time, the privateers OF all
other nations, Such o treaty made between
this country and France during the last century and
when France and England involved In war; and the
latter protested that according privileges 70
France which not according to her, We showed
purpose toward England. Justification senator
Carpenter quoted from all the standard authorities on
international law, and cited presidents to sustain his
position had Government laid down no rule for
It's own guidance the breaking out OF the Franco
Prussian war, IL would have been difficult 10 have an
swered his argument II It admitted that our
Government dealt directly with the Government Of
France.
But Mr. schurz, IN few words, turned over Mr.. Car
peners argument so far as II applied to the in
hand, admitting that our Government did nothing
which, in the abstract was violation OF our neutral
obligations Our Ordnance Bureau may still have vio
lated the e which the Government had seen t to lay
down as law for Itself the sale OF arms, VIZ not TO
sell directly to either belgerent, nor to the known
agent OF either And any who has listened TO the
long debate and heard the rumors about town. must be
convinced that there good ground for suspicion that
this rule not strictly enforced.
Mr. Carpenter did not discuss tho right Of the Chief Of
Ordnance TO sell breechoadng Springfield rifles OF the
model OF 1885, any other of the many questions which
have been raised during the past three weeks. except
that opening he other Senators have done before
him. criticised the motives OF the movers and advo
Gates OF the resolution, and drew In the blacklist
OF colors q picture OF what he conceived would
be the result II the investigation should prove
anything. when the Administration Senators have
exhausted argument on the resolution they
have throughout engaged in throwing mud upon Messrs
Sumner and scurz, and accused them. first Of making
ND case for France, and then for Germany. Mr.. Car
penter and Mr. Morton repeated today but their
peated accusations seemed TO convince nobody but them
selves The reply that the conduct of Government OFF,
cers such that II cannot be exposed to the light with
furnishing evidence to be used TO our hurt by foreign
nations, the quicker know 1t and get rid OF them the
better slences those who accuse such men as Sumner
and Schurz OF being unpatriotc.
Mr.. Carpenters speech had many OF those good-hu-
mored witty passages which lie srews through every
speech he makes and having caught Mr. Sumner quot
Ing Commodore Decaturs words Our country, right or
wrong" "an old heather cry, which dethrones God
and exalts the DEVIL" he In relating the circumstances
under which Decatur pronounced the words, and de-
Tending the sentiment he understood II, made many
funny references TO "that old heather. Decatur"
Rarely Is Mr. sumner caught in msquotaton, and 1t
is thought by younger Senator'S only fair that they shall
20 for " him when they have an opportunity,
OF the motions to lay the preamble on the table, after
the resolution had been adopted, the points of order
dent and other parliamentary lodges, by which about
two hours OF the evening were wasted. and dozen
Senators, who had made engagements TO dine, were
Obliged to content themselves with cold meats in the Sen
ate restaurant nobody cares, that the matter is
disposed OF.
Mr. Sumner attempted to withdraw his preamble, al
though he defended its assertions, and finally 1t
tabled. MI Edmunds alone voting in the negative. After
the whole matter had been disposed Of Mr.. Morton. in
giving Mr. Summer parting shot, almost put the whole
debate its feet again, and it ia now doubtful some
Senators, having got taste of political debate, will be
able to restrain themselves even the Appropriation
bill providing for their pay The vicePresident de-
cded that the Committee ordered that must be
elected and caucus will probably be held tomorrow 20
decide upon It's composition.