New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-01
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
French Arms Scandal-Senator Schurz't
speech on the Resolution OF Nfr'
Sumner-Its Efect-The Cotton Tax
Refunding Bill.
Especial Correspondence Of the Republican,
WASHINGTON, February y, 1872.
SENATOR sCHURz's SPEECH.
The speech of Carl Schurz in the Senate
on Tuesday, the twentieth instant, IN sup
port of Mr.. Summers resolution to inquire
into the sales of arms to France, is regarded
here, and will be recognized generally, as
great event. For grace and dignity OF
manner in delivery, elevation Of thought
and commanding eloquence, it has few
parallels in the history of the forum. 1t is
matter of common regret that the best
orators Of our time suffer greatly by COM
parison with those of the last century, or
even with those whose greatness has left its
is4)ress upon the early part of the present
century. But here is one illustrious excep-
ton, who gives us relief for the pain of
such contrast. All who were present
must have felt this even those whose par
tisan motives prompted the strongest
hatred of the orator. If his speech was
great as sample of oratory, it was also
great for truth and reason.
But we must not, in our admiration for
the advocate, lose sight of the cause The
question was, by masters hand, speedily
pIucked from the network Of personal
issues that had been woven about it by
trifers and with clearness and force pre-
sented in its three phases: First-Were
these sales in accordance with the rule laid
down by our government for its own action,
that no arms should be sold to any known
agent of either belligerent9 Second-Were
these sales made in violation of the laws of
the country! Thirds there in the facts,
as they stand before us, any ground for sus-
picion of corrupt practices connected with
the transaction!
The evidence presented by him answered
the first question emphatically in the mega
tive-that the rule mentioned had been
violated. inasmuch as the person to whom
the arms were sold had been known by the
War Department as an agent of the French
government. On the second point, he read
the law which authorized the sale of 'Old
cannon, arms and other ordnance stores
which were damaged or otherwise unsuita-
BILE for the United States military service,
or for the militia of the United States" and
clearly proved, by letter from the Chief of
Ordnance to the Secretary of War, that it
had been violated. In this letter, the Chief
of Ordnance states that the arms so sold
were fit for the United States service.
To make this point stronger, Mr.
Schurz stated that these arms
were breech-loading rifles of the pat
tern of 1866, and that the militia through
out the country were armed with old muzzle-
leaders. With reference to the third point,
it was argued that the facts shown were
sufficient to justify the suspicion of corrupt
transactions. He referred, among other
relations; the risking of our internal har-
monv; the fragrant and confessed violation
of law by the War Department, and the
mysterious disappearance of large sums of
money-all were circumstances justifying
suspicion of fraud and giving full warrant
for investigation. That his case was clearly
proved by the official documents produced
and read from, no honest person present,
possessed Of common sense. could for a
moment doubt.
Whether or not the administration is
really free from blame in the matter of sell
ing these arms to the French, its friends,
by opposing this resolution and other meas
ures looking to the investigation of fraud,
have done it irreparable injury. They have
aroused in the minds of the people just
suspicion that its policy is to cover up and
prevent the discovery of fraud and this
naturally stimulates the further suspicion
that there is much rottenness among gov
ernment officials yet unheard of by the
public, but known to, and designedly passed
over by, the powers that be--not for the
sake of the Republican party, but for
Grants sake, and in view Of the Philadel-
phia convention.
The prospect of settlement between the
administration and its opponents is now re-
garded as hopeless by those who are known
party whip has signally failed-as it ever
should when attempting to override honor
and iiustice-war is declared, and there can
be no compromise, short of sacrificing the
military ring. That ring does not, ofcourse,
intend to be sacrificed, and we have heard
rumor Of a threat that it will rather speak
through its natural organ-the oayonet.
But in this temporary elevation it torgets
its previous low estate, and how easily the
props may be drawn from under it by the
great people. To refuse the investigation
now would be equivalent to plain surren-
der on the part Of the administration, and
it is therefore wisely granted. In proceed
ing with it there is promise of defeat for the
administration, and, as a consequence, the
restoration of pure and honest government
Many, who tor weeks past have been
perehed on, the fence in the hope that salts
factory arrangements would be made by
Grant with respect to the differences that
separate the party, have now arrayed them
selves in the ranks of the opposition 1t is
not predicted only that he will fail TO re-
ceive the nomination, but that if perchance
he should be nominated, he will not be re-
elected.
Yesterday Conkling's amendment, author
izing inquiry'into the question whether any
Senator had been IN communication with
the French government, or any emissary or
SPY thereof, in reference to the sales of these