The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-19
SENATOR SUMNER.
He is Interviewed, and Declares shat Ho Is
ssAbsoIute Master of His Own OpiniOns.'

He is Interviewed, and Declares that Hc is
ssAbsolute Master of His Own Opinions.''
washington. March LAY correspondence OF the Gin
clnnau Times and Chronicle
For some time doubts have existed here in the
minds OF many influential politicians as to what
seen the result OF the Philadelphia Convention-the
denomination OF President Grant and the endorse.
ment OF his administrator by those chosen TO speak
for the National Republican party-and finds that
the time has arrived when he must either ackn0wi-
edge the nomination or abandon the party OF which
he has been since It's formation SHINING light.
1t was with no small degree Of satisfaction, there.
fore, that met him to-day, and found him willing
to talk on political subjects, ana especially con-
corning his own political position at the present
time.
many OF your lriends that you have given private
assurances 10 those who are working IN the interest
OF the Cincinnati Convention OF your sympathy
with the reform movement. and that If they will
nominate an out'and-Out republican uckety you VIII
aSo person has authority to speak for me upon
this question. You will believe me when say that
am absolute master OF my own opinions ana have
conided with any person as 10 my future course
IAN to understand then, that you have not In
dicated purpose not TO ACT with the republican
party If Grant should be renominated s'
"That Is my position. The time has not yet ar
man for President nominated at Philadelphia, espe-
cially when that nomination may be a personal and
science may dictate, winch VIII always be for the
good OF my country and Its people: 0l one thing
ticket winch directly or Indirectly restores them to
repu6csn principles at heart and shall battle for
them the future as have done In the past; and
such cannot =, ala Ia any
| power az ain the democratic PARTY"
Your position, or rather your Views, Senator, are
not an sure correctly understood by the country,
| as there has been q widespread belief that both
yourself and senator Trumbul were pledged to sus.
tain the action Of the Cincinnati Convention II 1t
| should assume distinct republican FORM"
"For myself have not uttered sentiment or q
| Trumbull has given his support to the Cincinnati
movement, and desires his friends to Join IN with
him. but for myself as have INST :, sald must
| and then act as my conscience dictates. MY record
Is before the country and Is part OF Its history and
my future course Will be In strict harmony with the
| principles which have governed my entire lfe-a
devotion to justice and the welfare OF my country.
''Your course IN the senate on the matter or the
| French arms inquiry has been the subject of much
| severe criticism. DO you expect to accomplish
| clusivey that wrong transactions have been gong
onn
tablishes case, that there has been gross vo-
lation OF existing neutrality laws, either through
ignorance or want OF Judgment, or intentionally for
an improper purpose. Mr.. Schurz tells me that the
most damaging evidence Is yet to come, and That he
expects 10 bring out during the investigation that
| prominent oflcial and an eX-army onlcer were
interested IN the sales OF arms, and that they were
| the mediums through whom Remington az Sons
secured their contracts with the Ordnance Bureau.
III suppose you have seen the testimony OF Colonel
Squire before the House committee, and the tele'
gram which he read from Mr. Moreau In PARIS -
stating that you were deceived when you SAID u
| the Senate Chamber that the committee OF VIZ
French Assembly on war contracts mad adopte99 "a
resolution asking the United States government VI
the result OF the inquiry as to the sale OF arms r. ~
'eThat telegram OF MOreau's Is absurd az WEI ~
false. The committee or the National Assembly ~, ~.
war contracts consists OF sixty members, anu nj -,
Moreau would hardly know the senumeni.s VI "a, a.
such resolution actually before sne Gun e w.
| and considered by IL on the 9TH OF March, 90 MT
M0reau Is misinfOrmod." $1,000
= 10 rnnta.t Nnp