There is an attempt being made to create the impression that the Republican party can be successful only if General Grant is renominated. Tell me, do the people of Ohio think that the fortunes of the party depend on one single individual? I think it is time that all, who think not so, should speak out frankly and loudly. Nothing can be more demoralizing than to identify a cause with a person; and nothing can be more dangerous at the same time, when that person is in a fair way of becoming a heavy load to that cause.
I send you by this mail a speech on Civil Service Reform which I delivered about a week ago. Of course, there is no hope of carrying a plan like that which I propose in the present Congress, but we can in any event work on public opinion. When you have read the speech, will you be kind enough to give me what suggestions occur to you on the subject? They will be very valuable to me.
I send you also my speech on the San Domingo question.
GRANT'S USURPATION OF THE WAR POWERS[1]
Mr. President:—Three speeches have now been made in reply to the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Sumner], and although they were strong in imputations, with all due respect be it said, I did not find in them a vast accumulation of argument. The Senator from Indiana [Mr. Morton] first intimated that the Senator from Massachusetts had delivered his remarks for the purpose of forestalling the effect of the report of the commission that had been sent to San Domingo, and thus, perhaps, to prevent the ratification of the treaty. Being somewhat
- ↑ Speech in the U. S. Senate, Mar. 28 and 29, 1871. The Senate had under consideration Mr. Sumner's resolutions relative to the employment of the naval forces of the United States in the waters of San Domingo.
