The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-16

MR.. SUMMER AND HIS CALUMNIAToRs.
To refute the base and heartless rumor spread
oy the enemies of Mr.. Sumner, that his with
drawal from active duties is voluntary, aud in
tended for merely political effect, Mr.. Wilson
his colleague, publishes in the Philadelphia
North American the following letters from the
distinguished physicians who have had him
successfully under their care:
BosroN, October 2, 1856.
SIR: first visited Mr.. Sumner on Monday
10Th May, three days after the assault upon
him by Mr.. Brooks, and saw him constantly
to the 18th May, when DIR. Lindsly became his
regular physician.
For three days of this time he was in crit.
cal situation from the external injuries, and /
remained In Washington in order to attend upon
him. My fears on leaving him were, that, be-
sides the internal injuries, his brain had re.
ceived a shock from which it might not recover
for months, and / felt it my duty to caution him
strongly against all exertion, until it was fully
restored from the effects of the shock
pressed this upon him because he expressed
determination to resume his duties at once,
which, according to my opinion, he could not
do without the risk of losing his life.
Very respectfully, &C..
MARSHALL S. PERRY.
Hon. Henry Wilson.
WAsHINGToN, September %, 1856.
DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry, state
that was the regular medical attendant of Mr..
Sumner, from May 29th to the time of his leav-
ing Washington, at the beginning of July.
During this whole period, he was suffering
from the effects of the injuries received in the
Senate Chamber, on the 23d of May. Much of
this time he was confined to his bed and at
no part of the time was he able to resume his pub
lie duties. His constant wish, expressed repeat
eddy to me, was that he might be speedily restor-
ed, 30 as to take his seat again in the Senate,
from which, as | am informed, he had never
before been absent for a single day.
Mr.. Sumner left here by my advice, in order
to enjoy the advantage of change of air, either
at the sea-shore or on the mountains. inclined
In favor of the latter, and recommended School
ey's Mountain, in New Jersey.
In the event of his great weakness continuing
on his going to Philadelphia, 1 urged him to
consult an eminent physician there, and be gov.
erned by his advice.
remain, faithfully, yours,
HARVEY LINDsLY.
Hon. Henry wilson.
PHILADELPHIA, October 2, 1856.
SIR: In reply to your inquiries, begin by
stating that my intercourse with Mr. Sumner
has been wholly of professional and social ma
ture, as, personally, should derive no satsfac:
ton from the success of those political principles
to which he is committed.
never saw Mr.. Sumner before the 9th of
July, when, upon his arrival in Philadelphia, he
came under my professional care. Since then,
down to the present moment, he has acted en-
tirely in compliance with my advice, given to
promote his restoration to health at the earliest
period. | have insisted upon his seclusion,
much in opposition to his own earnest desires,
and the repeated calls of some of his political
friends, convinced that his early recovery de-
pended upon his entire abstraction from all ex-
element.
make this statement in Justice to Mr.. Sum-
ner, in order to repel the unfounded rumors of
his completely with party tactics in thus with
drawing himself What he has thus DONE he
has done absolutely under my professional d.
rection and in the discharge of my duty,
could not have given any other advice.
When Mr.. Sumner came under my care, he
was exceedingly feeble, with NOR bid irritable
ity OF the nervous system, with seeplessness,
and inability to make any exertion, mental or
physical, also without apparent recuperative
power. His condition awakened my solicitude,
as it was difficult to determine whether he la
bored under functional or organic injury of the
brain. 1t was evident the injuries he had orig
inally received on the floor of the Senate had
been aggravated by the peculiar condition of
his nervous system at the time-a condition in
duced by severe mental exertion, and nervous
tension from the loss of sleep for several con-
secutive nights; also by the peculiar suscepti-
bility of his temperament, which is highly ner-
vous. l enjoined absolute repose, and, especial
ly, withdrawal from all public duties, and ad-
vised mountain air, preferring Cresson on the
Alleghanies, to Schooley's Mountain, as higher
and more retired.
Mr.. Sumner has returned from Cresson i'm
proved, though still an invalid, and is now under
my constant care. His restoration to health at
an early day depends entirely upon his complete
abstraction, except within prescribed limits,
from mental or physical exertion.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CAsPAR WIsTER.
Hon. Henry wilson.