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Show AMNESTY DEFEATED. It would not be true to say that the defeat of the amnesty bill, at the hands of the senate, is a disappointment, ibr , it had been anticipated, but it is certainly cer-tainly discouraging to the peoplo as it is discreditable to the senators responsibly respon-sibly for it. Tho adoption of Sumner's social equality ameudment, which had no proper connection with the subject matter of the bill, may have "elevated and consecrated the measure," as Mr. Sumner himself declared, but was not duo lo any hearty conviction in its favor on the part of many who voted for it, and whooO only object, we strongly believe, was to insure the defeat de-feat of amnesty by Democratic volos. It is noticeable that Schurz and Trumbull, with other Republicans who arc earnest friends of amnesty on principle, prin-ciple, and would have made the bill complete, voted with tho Democrats against Sumner's amendment. Trumbull Trum-bull even voted against the bill itself as amended, while Schurz did not vote at all. Vice President Colfix missed a grand opportunity when he failed to give his casting vote against Sumner's amendment, on the ground of its irrelevancy and that its adoption would defeat amnesty. Such an act of courage and good sense would have earned him the regard of tho country, and probably have saved the bill. As matters wont, tho responsibility for the defeat ol' amnesty ibr postponing postpon-ing complete reconciliation, and retarding retard-ing political reform in theSouth rests with the Republican majority in the senate. The few who were honest and single-minded in support of Sumner's amendment, have the mortification of knowing that thoy have both failed to serve the oolored pcujile and to carry out the plain wishes of the great body of their party. As for the pettifogging pettifog-ging remainder who supported the amendment for a sinister motive, including in-cluding men like Chandler and Nye avowed enemies of amnesty in any shape they have carried their point at the expense of lowering the reputation reputa-tion of the senate ibr honest and dignified dig-nified statesmanohip. Jt LulUtin. |