The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-01
CHARLES SUMNER ELECTED UNITED STATES
SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

After twenty five ballotings, at Intervals OF Two
and three weeks, ranging through period Of
nearly three months, Charles Sumner, the candi-
date Of the Free Soil and Democratic members Of
the Legislature of Massachusetts,, was elected
United States Senator, last Thursday, on the
26 balloting The scattering votes on the last
ballot were-for Bishop bunker Democracy IL;
Caleb Gushing, 8 f; Davis Dem } g; s. c. Phillips,
A; John Mills, /; Childs, bunker DemocratD
/ Hallett, bunker Democrat) / n. P. Banks,
l. The whole number Of votes cast on the Goth
ballot were 3s4-for Sumner, 1913; Winthrop,
sc scattering 25; and there were two blanks.
Majority for Sumner, one.
We have never recorded with more pleasure
any political event than the election Of Charles
Sumner to the Senate Of the United States. He
is q scholar, philanthropist, gentleman, emf
nently qualified to represent at Washington the
highest intelligence and best principles Of Massa-
chusetts When it is considered that he is the
Exponent and Advocate Of opinions and measures
which Mr. Webster has renowned and is seek
ing to put down, that the whole weight Of the in
fuence of this gentleman, with that of of the Cot
mocraoy has been brought to bear against him. that
at no time has he consented to qualify any word
he has ever written or spoken on the questions at
issue between him and his opponents, or to give
single pledge, direct or indirect, respecting his
course, his election must be regarded as one Of
the most brilliant, honorable, and decisive tri-
umphs yet achieved by the opponents Of Sla-
very and Conservatism. The Free Soil men
in adhering to BIN 50 ppvayeringly have vindi-
Gated at once their honor and sagacity and his
Democratic supporters, by their noble constsncy,
in fulfilling an honorable engagement, in defiance
of the Establishments Of slippery politicians, the
denuncations Of bitter partizans, the taunts and
invectives Of prosttuted press, and the fierce
clamor Of Hunker Democrats everywhere, have
redeemed the Democracy of Massachusetts,, and
set an example to their brethren Of other States
which may well make the old party leaders quake
for their ascendency.
The Mem York Tribune pays deserved tribute
to Mr.. Summers worth and independence:
awe do not know the man who has entered
the Senate under auspices 30 favorable to person
al independence ss Mr.. Sumner. He has not
sought the Office, has not made an effort for its
acquisition. No pledge has he given to any par
ty or any person, upon any question or measure
When asked as to the course he should pursue
as Senator his answer has been q reference to
his past acts and published writings; in them
were the only promises he had to offer. Though
it would have been easy for him TO secure the
election three months ago by the slightest shadow
of concession to some Of the Hunker members
Of the Legislature, he has steadily refused to say
or do anything that could be construed in that
manner. To every overture he has replied that,
il chosen it must be the footing Of absolute in
dependence, that the Senatorship must come to
him, and not he pursue the Senatorship Such
stern adherence to what he considered the path
aS duty ed aslRsF'p thea dl. ssa h ss eaf
Sumner enters the Senate free Of all trammels
whatever. This it is especially, which makes us
rejoice at the event. 1t is new thing in our re-
cent politics. and the Hottest success we can wish
him in his Congressional career is an unflinching
preservation of the same spirit and conduct
The Mem York Euening Post remarks that the
Senate is now full with the exception of three
members, and adds
"The number thus far elected, or holding over,
is 50 Of whom 90 are Wings, and 81 Democrats
OF the three members yet to be elected, 2 will
probably be Democratic. The Democratic ma
jority will range from 12 to Ia, as appears by the
following table of the Senate, as it now stands:
Democrats in Roman-Whigs in Italics