The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
THE REPUBLIC AND Mr.. SUMNER.

THE REPUBLlC AMI Mn NUMNEh'
The most abusive newspaper we receive, is the
isss.ss TX lp-sni- tie s2acial organ ofthe , a.
ministration. No matter how gentlemanly po
litical opponent, no matter what his reputation
or private worth, it seems to think him fair sub
ject for ridicule or invective 1t will not tolerate
freedom Of opinion no man can reject its creed
without mourning its abuse as unprincipled and
dishonest By its habitual illiberality and vio-
lence it has forfeited any claim its position might
have given it to the confidence and respect of in
telgent and fair-minded men, and really does
discredit and injury to the Administration, OF
which it processes to be the special advocate The
following paragraphs, from some remarks respect
ing Charles Sumner, is specimen of its style OF
reckless vituperatiou
"He was educated at Harvard College, and
pursued his professional studies at the law school
of Cambridge, then under the charge of Mr.. u.s.
tice Story, whose professional teachings do not
seem to have inspired his pupil with any very
great regard for his views on that branch OF the
Constitution which contempates the surrender OF
fupitives from labor. He subsequently travelled
a while in Europe, and since his return has been
chiefly occupied NTH his successful attempts 10 ide-
tiff himself NTH The negro qteStion-from views that
we, at one time, supposed to be to some degree
phlanthropic, but which me baseneSs Of h's recent
political Implications eaues MS no reason 10 doubt hare
been always as mean and groUetng as they no'o show
themselves.
"Mr Summers position in the Senate will be
very like that of MIR. Rantoul, who received the
cold shoulder from nearly every member OF that
Uh0u fa nd
easa-tya1ors ike him 10 their party and then
cou,ltTyD
Mr. Sunenar srra his rAtn~'' fas.sSr ~ mo Irv"
fession, recreating himself occasionally by the de-
livery of addresses and speeches, on various to
pics, so eloquent and permanently valuable tina
he has consented at the request Of his friends t
publish a collection of them. His prominence il
the ant-slavery movement is the result of no self
seeking on his part, but his principles obliged
him to sustain it, and his talents necessarily wor
him enviabe distinction.
He did not seek office, or abate one jot or little
Of his independence to secure it. While candi
date, he made no new professions Of faith he
uniformly referred all inquirers to his published
speeches, for his opinions, retracting, qualifying
explaining nothing, refusing to give any pledge
as to his future course, and declaring that, il
elected, he must be elected free from the trammels
of any Party. The following letter, which he adj
dressed to General Wilson, for the use of the
members of the Legislature will show the true
character of the man whose motives the Republic
ruthlessly denounces {" as mean and grovelling ~
BosToN, February %, 1851.
"MY DEAR SIR desire to repeat, in writing,
what have so constantly said to you and others
by word of mouth
"Esrly in life, formed determination never
TO hold any political Office, and, Of course, never
to be candidate for any. My hope was, might
so aspire y to show that, without its titles or
emoluments. something might be done for the good
of my fellow men.
Notwithstanding the strength Of this deter
minatiou, often declared, have, by the confidence
Of the friends Of freedom in Boston, more than
once been pressed into the position Of candidate
and now, by the nomination Of the Free Soil and
Democratic members of the Legislature Of Mas
sachusetts, contrary to my desires, specially made
known to all who communicated with me on the
subject, have been brought forward as their can
didate for the Senate Of the United States.
"Pardou me il say, that personal regrets
mingle with my gratitude for the honor that has
been done me. The office Of Senator, though ell
waited and important is to me less attractive than
other and more quiet fields Of labor.
Besides, there are members Of our party, valued
associates in our severe struggle, to whom gladly
defer, as representatives Of the principles which
We all have at heart.
III trust, therefore, that the friends Of freedom,
in the Legislature, will not hesitate, on any
ground of delicacy towards me, to transfer their
support to some other candidate, faithful to our
cause. In this matter, I pray you, do not think
of me- have no political prospects which de-
sire to nurse. There is nothing in the political
field which covet Abandon me, then whenever
you think best without notice or apology. The
cause is everything am nothing
rely upon you in some proper way to CON-
municate this note to the Free Soil members of
the Legislature
Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.
" Hon. Henry Wilson, Chairman of The Com.
mrtee Of the Free Soil members Of The Legis-
latWep
We have no doubt that there are Senators who
will venture to give Mr.. Sumner q the cold shout
der for the fact that a man is'a Senator is no
more Prna Jdeis evidence Of the possession Of good
sense or good breeding, than that he is an editor
but, Mr.. Sumner, we presume, will be just as
little disturbed by it as by the distinguished con-
sideration Of the Republic.