The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-17

tho senate-Tho Country Wants states-
manship.
The debate in the Senate yester day is a
painful Illustration of an observation yester-
day upon this era of small men and small
measures. A few days ago the regular bust
ness of the Senate was interrupted by reso-
luton from Mr.. Sumner of a trivial and extra
ordinary character. The nature of it was to
make inquiry into the reported sales of arms
by our government to the French during the
German. French war. When Mr.. Sumner in
troduced his resolution the sentiment
of the country was expressed by
Senator Cole and Senator Sherman.
Mr.. Cole pleaded for a consideration
of the appropriation bills, which are well on
their way through the House, and are the
necessary duties of Congress. Mr. Sherman
ing by declaring that he would not attend the
Senate during the debate.
AS we understand this matter it is this:
When France and Germany were in the death
struggles of their great campaigns Gambetta,
as the head of the French military authority,
made stupsndous exertons to purchase arms
in every part of the world. Naturally he
came to America We were still on the verge
of a protracted and expensive war. We
had arms and ammunition in abundance.
In the interest of economy we were
endeavoring to sell them. We had made sales
and were continuing to make them to other
Powers. Mr. Remington, noted dealer in
arms, was the agent Of the French govern
ment Gambetta gave him a commission, and
Mr.. Remington addressed himself to the United
States through an attorney. In the interest Of
neutrality we declined to sell our guns and
munitions to either of the belligerent Powers.
Mr.. Remington was the known agent Of
: France, Knowing he would not have hear
ing at the War Office, he appointed an attorney,
who made large purchases. The same oppor-
tunity might have been embraced by Germany.
Prince Bismarck was told that he could
purchase certain guns from American agents
By paying small advance in the way Of
commission. The Prince did not feel that, in
, making these sales, America had violated any
law Of neutrality or any treaty obligation
At the same time, with characteristic cynicism
and good sense, he also said that he would
not buy arms from America which, if sold to
the French Germany could obtain for nothing,
as her troops could pick them up in the rear
, of the retreating French army on the banks of
the Loire.
So the case stood 1t was we'll understood
in Germany by our own government and in
France. But it was too good point to be
missed by the desperate and sorely pressed
gamblers now playing the game of the Presi-
dency. These men, Senator'S as they are, and
charged with the defence and protection of
the nations honor, have no other purpose but
to defeat General Grant. To that end they
seem to care nothing for peace, for our inter-
national relations, for our success in the
solemn questions at issue between America
and foreign nations Germany, for instance,
is an arbitrator In our dispute with Great
: Britain on the San Juan question. An I'M
favorable impression upon the mind of the
!; Kaiser-such an impression as would I'M
: doubleday be created were it to be determined
that we had dealt with the Germans in an un-
friendly spirit, or as mere tradesmen,
t caring nothing for law or justice, or
! the comfy Of nations-might 60 far towards
! determining the royal mind against
) America in its decision. The part of
! every Senator who has patriotic impulses
, would be to strengthen the German Emperor
in those feelings of friendship for America
which he has never failed to profess. Yet we
have Senators, even such a man as Sumner,
strenuously arguing, for political purposes,
that our government, in the war, was secret
ally of France If Mr. Sumner and Mr..
Schurz were the retained counsel of Great
Britain, charged to 60 before the Geneva
tribunal and make such an argument as would
rescue England from the consequences Of her
perfidious course towards America during our
rebellion, they could not serve England more
effectually They have striven to degrade and
dishonor the country simply to make political
capital against General Grant in the next cam
paign.
Can we say anything too severely condemn
ing Senators who are guilty of SO fragrant a
, breach of patriotic duty9 And If our condemna-
ton must be severe upon Sumner and Schurz,
as men who have behaved unworthily, what
shall we say of Senator Morton, of Indiana,
and this wild, incoherent person called Upton,
. who seems really to be a Senator from Ne
braska? Mr.. Morton came forward as the cham
pion of the administration. He made logical,
calm, dispassionate speech for part OF the
time. Although rude and not always clear
speaker, he showed, 80 strong was his case.
: that he was more than match for the expert
a and accomplished Senator Schurz. Having
q made his case, instead of submitting to vote