Year: 1870

informs us that some additional facts and pa
pers have arrived, throwing more light upon
the subject, and that there is a better prospect
for the ratification of the treaty The diff
Guilty In the way of ratification has been chiefly
the opposition of Mr.. Sumner, the chairman
Of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In this the Senator has been directly opposed
to the wish and policy of the President.
Though he assumes to be and has been recog-
nized as prominent leader of the party which
elected General Grant, and which claims the ad-
ministration as its own, he has become hostile
to an important measure of that administration.
Every Senator, 1t is true, has the right to fol-
low the dictates Of his own mind or con-
science, and to act independently even against
his party, but he should not do so from caprice
or prejudice. But the opposition Of Mr. Sum-
ner to the St. Domingo treaty and to the West
Indian policy of the President involved in it
appears to be factious and is unreasonable.
The truth is Mr.. Sumner cannot or will not
see the far-reaching policy of General Grant.
In everything connected with our foreign
affairs he assumes to be an autocrat. He
thinks that the President, the Senate and the
public sentiment of the country should all
give way to his notions. A superlative egotist,
with mind narrowed down to one idea or
running in one channel, he cannot see any
thing but himself and his own contracted
opinions. No living public man has done as
much mischief as he to the country. None
did SO much to bring on our frightful civil war,
with all it's terrible consequences of blood
shed, ruin, political revolution and crushing
debt. He who was the professed advocate Of
progress and liberal ideas now opposes the
progressive development Of the country, and
is the supporter Of European and monarchical
despotism in America. His conceit in his
grandiloquent, sophomorical speech on the
Alabama claims has made him blind to every
thing else, and he is ready to sacrifice the
interests of the republic for the political capi-
tai he foolishly expects to make out Of that.
He is the veritable "Old Man of the Sea" in
our West Indian and foreign policy, as well as
in the political affairs of the country


- The contrast between him and General
Grant is strongly marked. The President has
no visionary ideas, no impracticable theories,
no narrow-minded selfish policy. Not edu-
Gated in mere words or in making fine phrases,
like Mr.. Sumner, but in the mathematics, logic
and hard facts Of military school and expe-
rience, he looks at things in a practical
point of view and their bearing upon the
future The remarkable feature Of his mind is
strong common sense, as has been shown
throughout his public career; and this is really
the first and highest quality of statesman
He earnestly desires the ratification of the st.
Domingo treaty, which Mr.. Sumner opposes,
because he sees in that the basis Of a profound
policy to absorb or exercise controlling in
fuence over the West Indies. ST. Domingo
in itself would be valuable possession from
its rich and varied natural resources. The
tropical productions Of the island and the
abundance Of valuable minerals would stimu-
late American enterprise and enlarge our
commerce. But in military and naval point
of view, from the geographical position of the
island and its splendid harbors, the United
States would acquire base for dominating the
whole Of the Antilles. With st. Domingo in
our possession, Cuba, under any circum-
stances, would not long remain o Spanish
colony.


There is reason to believe that the President
takes this view Of the matter and shat his
movement upon St. Domingo, to use military
simile, is strategic one. It will be remem-
bered that in that famous campaign which re-
suited in the fall of Richmond and the suppress
sion of the rebellion the most important move
ment was that which he directed General Sher-
man to make through Georgia and the Caro-
linas This was far away from the objective
point where he was operating himself, and to a
superficial eye at the time might not have ap-
peared to have the important connection it
had But General Grant was really taking
Richmond aud breaking up the rebellion by
this distant flank movement. He is pursuing
the same policy, doubtless, with regard to
Cuba and the West Indies generally by the
flank movement on st. Domingo. The Cabinet
may not comprehend the far-reaching views of
their silent and practical chief. We
have no idea that the Secretary Of
State uOeS, Ut Iuas Ae Woulu pe
the suitable man to carry them out. He is a
respectable man of the old conservative school,
and is under the influence of Mr.. Sumner
and such like obstructive politicians. He
could have no sympathy with the Presidents
progressive ideas. If Congress should sustain
the President in his policy, however, it would
not be long, probably, before he would reor-
ganize his Cabinet SO as to have those around
him who would carry out his broad and COM
prehensive views.


Mr.. Sumner and some other Senators pre-
tend to oppose any acquisitions of territory in
the West Indies on the ground that we have
enough already and that the negro and foreign
populations there would not be desirable citi-
zens. This turning round on the negroes by
The Massachusetts, Senator is curious fact. It