Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-02
SENATOR SUMNER-YOUNG NEGROES
AND DAGUERROTYPEs:

at last but men. They have their foibles
and their vices, their special " vanities, and
their particular indulgences. Some have
petted spiders, some have, grotesquely enough,
tanced calves, others wolves. Some have
spent their leisure moments in killing flies,
contrary to Uncle Toby's benevolent injunc-
ton, while others have taken malicious de-
light in teazing children.
There is a grave statesman, an august Sena
tor, who not exempt from the frailties and
weaknesses that attach to man, has recently
furnished to the country, particularly to the re-
fined and enlightened and scholastic State of
Massachusetts,, which he in part represents,
and to Boston, the Athens Of America" the
evidence that he has in his composition, as
we'll something Of EARTH as Of heaven. Sena-
tor Sumner has weakness. II is for young
negroes When this Senator is relieved from
the fatigues of legislation, he occupies and
adorns his leisure moments with the agreeable
and elegant amusement Of studying the fea-
lures and the forms Of young Philippians which,
committed to canvass, or more faithfully
represented by the process of Daguerre, he
transmits to valued friends in Massachusetts.
When these pictures, sent by mail, reach their
place of destination, they shown to the
polished scholars and grave legislators of that
enlightened State, who are expected instantly
to become convulsed with ecstacy, and absorbed
with delight. We would not do injustice to
tho Sabnlor md cto al &c
his State, or to the refined and cultivated phi
lanthropists of the cody city of Boston. But
Senator Sumner has recently written letter.
published in the Boston Telegraph, which dis
tinctly shows his weakness for young negroes,
and his admiration for Daguerrotypes. That
letter. written, no doubt, at moment snatched
from grave debate, is as follows:
Letter from Hon. Charles Summer.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l9, 1855.
DEAR Doctor: send you by the mail the
Daguerreotype Of a child about seven years old )
who only few months ago was slave in VI.
ginia, but who is now happily free by means
sent on from Boston, which had the pleasure
of being entrusted with for this purpose. She
is bright and inteligent-another Ida May /
think her presence among US lin Boston, will
be more effective than any speech ! can make.
Meanwhile send this picture, thinking that
you will be glad to exhibit it among the mem,
bers Of the Legislature, as an illustration of
slavery. Let hard-hearted bunker look at it
and be softened.
send another copy in different attitude to
John A. Andrew. Her name is Mary.
Ever yours, CHARLES SUMNER.
P. S.-Such is slavery! There it isl Should
such things be allowed to continue in Wash
ington. under the shadow Of the Capitol?
DR.. JAS. W. STONE.
One remarkable thing about this picture is,
that it is intended to operate on the refined
Legislature of Massachusetts. This we infer
from a sentence in the Senator's letter and
from the following brief extract from the. Bos-
ton Telegraph:
The Daguerreotype mentioned in the fol.
lowing letter is a portrait of one Of the family
referred 10, most beautiful white girl, with
high forehead, straight hair, intellectual ap-
pearance, and decidedly attractive features. 1t
may be seen for a few DAYS at the State House,
in the hands of the Clerk of the House of Re.
representatives."
An improvement seems to be going on in
the Senator and in the grave, dignified, and
enlightened Legislators Of the great State Of
scholars. They have heretofore worshipped
the black, fatnosed, thicklipped sons and
daughters Of Africa. But, from the above &C
count, it seems that they have become fasci-
mated ''rih a most beautiful achitc girl, rith
high forehead, straight hair, intellectual APP
pearonce, and decidedly attractive features.
Senator Sumner TO complete the matter,
ought, by all means, to have Daguerreotype
taken of the grave, solemn, enlightened, and
digni6ed Legislature Of Massachusetts, when
the picture of his 81 Ida May" is formally pre-
sented. We can imagine the bristling hair,
the compressed lips, the glaring eye balls, OF
the Massachusetts, legislators. But we should
like to see the picture. He is fond Of pictures
We hope that in bis leisure moments he has
made arrangements TO have this one taken.