Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1871 — Senator Stunner on the San Domingo Question. [ARTICLE]

Senator Stunner on the San Domingo Question.

On Monday Senator Suu.m r delivered in the Senate ft speech of three hour's duration, denouncing the parts taken by President Grant, Secretary of State Fish nnd Secretary of the Navy Robeson, in the San Domingo annexation scheme. Our limited space forbids the publication of the entire speed), which was full of satire ami bitter denunciation. His charges are tlijit “A code of international law lias been violated in two of its tommaiding rules, one securing the equality of nations, and the other providing against belligerant intervention; while all distinctive funda mental principles of the Constitution by which the President is deprived of kingly prerogative is asserted by tire President. ’ Mr. Sumner bases these charges upon tire fact that the President “covenanted in a treaty that was

rejected as follows: ‘The people of the Dominican Republic shall in the shortest possible time, express in a manner conformable to thtir laws, their "Will concerning the cession herein provided for, and the l nited States shall, indil such expression shall be had, protect tlfc Dominican Republic against foreign interposition in order that the national pression may be free.” He argue*that r.Ot only did the President in signing tl.is treaty assume powers not guaranteed by the Constitution which provides that all treaties shall be made with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate, but that be also usurped a kingly prerogative bv so doing, from the fact that the covenant was a declaration of war against any power that might be disposed . to object to the annexation. Ho specifies further that the President did not stop, with this conditional declaration of war, but that there is positive testimony that lie actually sent armed vessels to menace the black Republic of Ilayli which threatened to interfere in the matter. He “insists that the President s scheme installs KuKlux on the coast of San Domingo, and at the same time insults the African race ia the black Republic” and he characterises the President as the declared head trf that KuKlux. Mr. Sumner qhahns to take his position against. Prtteideiit Grant because lie

(Sumner) desires “the elevation of the Airican race,” and that lie "“speaks for the African race, whom -the President has trampled down.” At the close of Mr. Sumner’s remarks Senator Merton said that lie felt confident that the vindication of the President upon all the charges made against him would be complete upon a statement of the facts, but that he did not propose to reply then as it would require preparation and time to do so. “The constitution of Indiana ought to be amended so as to disfranchise such counties and districts in the Gencfal Assembly as are effected by the factious resignations of their members, ami confer legislative authority upon the members who stand at ttieir post of duty. What might be justified under our present constitution in this respect would be prevented hc/eafter. Both parties have had their turn at_ these maneuvers to perpetuate their authority, and it is tin-,9 the thing was ended. Let it be understood that there are higher duties than mere loyalty to party. By such an amendment-the too common custom of bolting in the Indiana Legislature would be fitly punished, and the punishment would he properly put upon the communities who sent up bitter partisans, instead of cool-headed, sensible men. “We believe that such an amend«nent would be a step jn Legislative reform that would lead to much good, and we know much credit to the State. It would at once suggest to the political parties that they must select a of men, to represent them,yhr at ieast, It wtould compel the present class to take a higher stand.’.’— Kentlvw! Gazette. Goodly words, fitly spoke*)! The

voice of wisdom, unbiased by blind adhcreuce to a narrow, selfish party policy! Brother Conner, here is our hand-on that and a second to your sensible motion. For if there is a more childish and contemptible trick in parliamentary tactics it has not yet been practiced. It was mean, when the Democrats adopted it, and the Republicans arc the more demagogues for following the example after having so Iqudly denounced it. If we could have our say, not one of the men who resigned and prevented needful legislation, for no better reason than that given by the injudicious thirty-four, should again hold an office until they had leajli- £<] that duty (o the stale i« pafa-

ir.vunt to allegiance to party.—-1 They* ought also to learn that whenever party interests run counter to the will of the people or the welfare of the government, it Js treason to adhere-to "party iind forsake the government. Legislators nrc elected to enact laws for the | welfare of the people at large, and ! not to keep a party or elans of men ' in power, nnd no ordinary chain of j 'circumstancesvwill justify them in | resorting to revolution for the purpose of defeating legislation. In our opinion nothing less than positive usurpation for the purpose of changing the form of government, would be a sufficient cause.