New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-29
EDMUNDS IN MASSACHUSETTS,.
HIS RELATIONS TO SUMNER AND HOAR.

HIS RELATIONS TO SUMNER AND HOAR.
THE DEGRADATION OF SUMMERTIME SENATEs RE-
LECTION OF HoAR-THE FREE TRADE ALLIANCE.
rFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
BoSrON April 2S.-Thcre is tendency among
some of the Republicans OF the most radical
type IN this State to withhold their assent
from the nomination OF Senator Edmunds as
the Presidential candidate 1t is noticeable
that the district conventions. which were all
expected to instruct. have prudcntly refrained from
any cOmmttal. and a little doubt is now expressed
even as to the action Of the approaching State Con-
vention Tho probabilities are, however, that the
four delegates-at-large will be instructed in his
favor, while the twenty-five delegates from the
districts will go as free lancos to vote as they
please 1t is already believed that of them at
| least will not support Mr.. Edmunds. Four years
ago Mr. Edmunds had the State entire through the
prolonged struggle at Chicago. Mr. Edmundss
popular strength has vsibly waned in Massa-
chusetts since that lime, and for reasons which
may readily be stated
Fiist-Peopo have remembered this year what
they seemingly forgot four years ago. viz. that
when Mr. sumner degraded from the chair
manship of the Committee of Foreign Affairs 10
1871, MI Edmunds was one of the leading spirits
in dealing this deadly blow at the Massachusetts,
Senator The insult was made all the more sting
ing and CALLING by giving the place to Simon
Cameron. OF ali men in the Senate Mr. Summer was
pre-cmincntly fitted for the place. while simon
Cameron was pre-rminenty untitled for It. 1t was
a terrible humiliation to Mr.. Sumner. and at tho
time OF his death Samuel Hooper. his most intimate
friend did not hesitate to declare that the sad event
had been FASTENED by his grief over tho iudigDity
heapcd upon him. Mr. Edmunds one of the
most prominent AMI influential in infctng the IN
dignity Mr. Sumner freely declared that ho was
far moro deeply wounded by the course OF Mr I'd
munds than by that of any other Senator The
time selected for the insult TO Mr.. sumner cruel
and apparently malicious. II was abont one month
after the Joint High Commissioner, had arrived
from England 10 negotiate the Alabama Treaty Of
1871. From the beginning of the war, when the
Republicans obtained control of the Senate, to that
time-a period of ten Mr.. Sumner had been
chairman of Foreign Affairs. He now de-
graded from it in the sight of Europe and America
The English Joint High Commissioners could not
understand it, and looked on with amazcment when
the deed was done. The motive for it was simply
that President Grant and Secretary Fish did not
like Mr Sumner. And for that reason he was
driven from the post he had so honored by his ser
vice and kept ont of it for tho remainder of mis- life
Mr. Edmunds led in the attack upon him
Secoad-Great influence as the foregoing is now
exciting adversely to Mr. Edmunds IN Massa-
chusetts it is not the only cause vigorously at work
against him. The year preceding that which wit
messed Senator Su nnors persecution. witnessed the
humiliation of another Massachusetts, man by a
coterie of Senators Of whom Mr. Edmunds was a
prominent member. The Hon. Rockwood Hoar was
nominated for Judge Of the Supreme Court after
he resigned the post of Attorney General in 1870.
Judge Hoars rank I'm his profession is very high,
his personal character unsp0tted his fitness for
the post every where recognized. But his nomna-
ferred to. and they united with the Democrats who
were opposed to the radcalism of Judge Iloar, and
rejected him. Never was more causclcss, cruel.
wrongful abuse Of Senatorial power displayed,
and among the Senators who achieved this result
and inflicted this outrage upon the name and fame
Of judge llOar the most conspicuous on the Repub-
lcan side was George F. Edmunds Of Vermont.
These two acts have sunk deep in the hearts of
Massachusetts Republicans and they are talked
over there is visible somewhat less disposition to
honor Mr.. Edmunds with Massachusetts, solid sup
port again in the National Convention. The spirit
of just Civil Service never received more fatal
slabs in the history Of the Government than in the
treatment of Messrs Sumner and IIogr And Mr
Edmunds was chiefly influential in inilictlng both
Wounds.
Third Another event Of recent date IS working
vigorously against Nh. Edmunds among the Nas,a-
clusctts manufacturers. 1t is known in this Staro
that the four delegite5-atarge recently elected III
Dlr Edmunds's favor in New-York enemies of the
protective system and belong to that class of free
traders who arc disguised under tho name OF
revenue rctOrmers-Tefouner5 Of the type that
support the Morrison Tariff bull This has Just be-
Gun to be well understood but in certain sections IS
working rapid changes respecting Mr.. Edmunls'S
candidacy. As one Of Senator Hoars neighbors IN
Worcester sad few days since" We are beginning
for the first time TO understand the political record
o,d oniuinns Of MIR En-