The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-08

TunctutO over Volcano
Both Senator Conklings constituents and
the sober portion of the republican party
everywhere must regret the pertinacity with
which he pressed his amendment to Mr.. Thur
mans resolution of inquiry Had he merely
proposed it as point of courtesy and grace
fully yielded as soon as he saw that it was
likely to obstruct the passage Of the resolu-
ton, it would have been regarded as proper
enough attention to the forms of official inter-
course. But the heat and acrimony with
which the amendment was insisted on showed
that his real objection was to the substance of
the resolution, and that he wished the Presi-
dent to be relieved Of any obligation to an
swer the inquiry. It was, therefore,
an imprudent confession that it would
embarrass President Grant to give
satisfactory answer to the request Of the
Senate for an explanation. II the conduct
of the President is indefensible and is per-
ceived to he indefensible by his friends in the
Senate, it is natural that they should oppose
a call for information. But if he has valid
explanation--if he has defence which rests
on solid legal grounds or on facts which have
not come to the public knowledge-his party
supporters should be willing to afford him the
earliest opportunity to communicate it and
thereby allay the prevailing excitement aud
tranquillize the public mind. Attempts to OBJ
struct inquiry are calculated to produce ON
impression that the conduct of the President
is indefensible in the estimation of his politi-
col friends.
If the question were not so grave and did
not so deeply stir public feeling this fastidious
sticking for mere form would be ludicrous.
It is form which has been frequently
neglected, as is attested by the records of
the Senate and as H1r. Thurman proved in
the course of the debate by copious citation
of instances. But even if the usage Of the
Senate had been uniform it would be unwise
to stand SO stifly on punctiio in q question
which goes to the very foundation of our insti-
tutons on points so essential as the subordina-
ton OF the military to the civil power, the
right of the people to have their votes in an
election fairly counted and the exemption of
legislative assemblies from interference with
their proceedings by illegal violence. Have
the spirit of liberty and respect for the con-
stitution fallen into such decay that the Senate
can weigh trivial form of Official etiquette
against the rights, peace and dignity Of
State of the Union In conjuncture SO
alarming it is the duty of Congress to be
watchful for the general welfare, and it is
their right to ask Tor information to guide
their Judgment, and it is the clear duty of
the President to furnish it. The first duty,
the very first, that is required of him by the
constitution, after enumerating his powers, is
this -"He shall. from time to time, give to
Congress information Of the state Of the
Union" He is bound to keep Congress in
formed on every important point relating to
the welfare of the Union, whether specially
called on or not and when, in great crisis,
such information is asked for by the represent
ativcs of the people, he cannot constitutionaly
withhold it. 1t is absurd for his political sup
porters to interpose quibbling questions of
form to save the President from the perform
ance of q clear duty. 1t is infinitely absurd
to rank such forms above the rights of State
and the endangered peace of this country.