The republic., 1851-03-15
From the Boston Herald.
The Election of U. s. Senator to- day.

From the tone of the press generally we should
Judge that Mr. Sumner prospects of success would
be better to-day than at any former trial. At the
ballot two weeks since we coniecturcd that Mr.
Sumner would have fallen off some dozen yotes
from tho number cast for him the preceding trial
But In this we were disappointed, for tho ballot
brought MIR. Sumner within two votes of an elec-
tlon and this has reassured his friends so that thew
are to. day confident of a victory.
As Tor ourselves, we can form no idea of the ulti
mate result OF this protracted struggle. We should
not be surprised at the election of Mr.. Sumner to-
day; neither should be surprised were he to
fall much farther back than he has been at any pre-
vious trial His election would be extremely uu-
propioue to the Union in the present state of Do
htical affairs though if we are to be compelled to
take Free-soiler, We should much prefer Mr.
sumner to any other of their prominent men.
we 90 not icar, as come OF our Democratic con-
temporaries do, that Mr.. Sumner, if in Congress,
would become violent agitator or that he would
not be as distinguished for urbanity and modera-
ton as most Of his associates But our objection 10
him is Of an entirely different nature He ia the ex
poncnt of that party which recommends forciblc
opposition TO law OF Congress-. Many of that party
have identified Themselves with tho opposition TO
tho recovery OF fugitive slaves under the late net
The election Of MIR. Sumner would be considered,
by our sister States, as the determination of Mas
sachusetts to orcby resst the execution of the Fu-
gitive Slave law within its borders This ia not the
case but 90 1T would be deemed by the hotspurs of
the South. Ay, and these southerners chuckle at
the stand which portion Of our citizens have taken
in regard TO the law.
We yesterday conversed with gentleman who
has just returned from Charleston, South Carolina
and he tells that the people of that city, amid all
thcir pretended indignation at the loss of slaves,
say the Yankees perfectly right in their oppo-
sition to the law, if they don't like it. They say
Nhc states are sovereign and have right to refuse
oocuiehce TO any law; and since the disturbance
IN massachusetts, they say that the old Bay State
Is Is 'ho only spunky one in the Union, save South
Carolina They hope shall nullify the law and
lcavc them northern precedent for resistance 10
tIfup uhe,,t tl,o,,,
be disposed to follow the example
The dissemination Of such spirit throughout the
Union cannot fail TO be preudcial to our exi,,ence
as nation, and therefore Massachusetts sbouId bo
careful TO do nothing which will set an cxamnIc
of disorganizaton II elect Mr. Sumner b;s |
election will certainly be regarded a. proof that
mean to resist the Fugitive Slave law at ali
hazards; and unless we with to convey such an i'm
preston to head quarters. the Wings and Demo.
crate OF our Legislature should remain firm in their
present position II would be far better have the
choice OF Senator dcvove upon the next Legisla-
tnre, alter our people shall have had another op-
poftunity to express themselves at the polls than
to elect Mr.. Sumner now, who represents, at the
fullest estimste, not more than on O. third of tho
voters Of the Commonwealth.