Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-29
LETTER FROM MR. SUMNER.

To the Editor " the Boston fD0Sf;
Sirs-In your paper OF yesterday, you
are pleased to shy, When Charles Sumner
was at the South he was silky as possible
upon the subject of slavery and you then
proceed in confirmation of your own words.
to quote an article from Louisville paper, to
this effect: ..-.
AT Lexington he first became acquainted
with slavery, and such an effect did its hor-
rors' have upon him, that he could not resist
ack acknowledging to gcntlemcn OF our acquaint-
ance how egregiously be had heretofore been
mistaken. 1t happened, fortunately, that he
passed the Sabbath in Lexington, and atten-
ded the African Baptist Church. The sight
Of so many we'll dressed and well behaved
slaves opened bis eyes. When he saw that
they worshipped without molestaton or sur.
VIGILANCE, he was further astonished, and,
when he studied their demeanor and coun
tonances, all indicative Of perfect happiness
and contentment, he could but confess that
his previous belief concerning slavery had
been based upon information wholly incor-
rect. II ~ In our city LouisyiIle) Mr..
Sumner received the hospitable attention Of
several of our citizens. *** While here
bis expressions concerning slavery were in
terms Of agreeable surprise at the state Of
affairs"
Now, Sirs, to this detailed statement I
desire to make denial, both general and
particular. deny it as o whole and deny it
in all its details.
Never any where in the slave States, or
out Of them, in public or in private, have l
expressed opinions on slavery inconsistent
with those have uttered from my seat in
the Senate or at home in Massachusetts.
| did not pass the Sabbath in Lexington;
I never attended the African Baptist Church
there; never saw its swell dressed and we'll
behaved slaves" worshipping without mo-
lestatiou or surveillance y never studied
their demeauor and countenancss, all indica-
tive of perfect happiness and content; and I
never made any confession that "my pre-
vious belief concerning slavery had been based
upon Information wholly incorrect" This
whole story is as baseless as dream.
1t is true that was at Lexington; but !
saw nothing there calculated to mitigate my
previous aversion to slavery; nor did l ever
acknowledge to anybody that I had been
mistaken egregiously," or otherwise.
1t is true also that was at Louisville for
single day, cheered by pleasant hospitality
bnt | had no occasion to express any opinions
on slavery. If I manifested an "agreeabe
surprise" at anything, it was at the thorough.
bred cattle, the woodlown pastures and the
blue grass, which are the pride Of Kentucky.
There was surprise" of different char.
acter which / could not fail to manifest, at
another place, when Witnessed the disgust.
ing sale of human beings on the steps of =
court house; and the hosorable Kentuckian
who was with me cannot have forgotten the
pain and indignation which I was unable to
repress.
1t is not my habit to notice assaults on my
opinions or public course. but I am unwilling
that gross misstatemcnts of fact, like those
you have circulated, should pass without a
point-blank contradiction.
am, sirs, your obedient servant.
CHARLES SUMNER.