Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-02-27
27. 4 9 ; 8.

SENATOR SUMNER.-The Washington cor
respondent of the Boston Traeeiler, writing
Feb. 20. says:
Senator Sumneris still here. although he
has expected every day for the past week to
leave for New York, but has remained to vote
against the Army Bill His health is much
better than when here in December His
step is irmer; his voice is more sonorous, and
his walk, while it is much faster now than
that OF most men, is nearly up to his old
mark. be can write longer; read more and
talk with greater ease. In fact the Senator has
said that he considers himself now as almost
well; but he is fully aware of the danger of
relapse, and consequently guards against all
excitement, especially such as is occasioned
by listnibg to debate on any of the great pend
ing questions, which is the only thing which
now materially affects him. Hence when the
morning business is over, and the long wind
ed speeches commence, he goes into the Lib.
rary, where he gratifies his taste in looking
over the collection OF line arts and there
awaits call from his colleague whenever he
shall think Mr.. Summers presence necessary
1t is pleasing to see the solieitude manifested
by our friends that the invalid shall not over.
task his strength. 1t is not uncommon to see
Gov, Seward or Judge Trumbuil cross over
to Mr.. Summers seat and advise him to leave
Tor the time being. ANnnderstand that when
Mr.. 5. left Boston last, he came directly
through, leaving his residence on Wednesday
night and reaching this city on Thursday
night, without experiencing any uausual
fatigue. Hence we may infer, il no untow-
ard occurrence takes place. that his voice may
be heard before long in the Senate Chamber,
perhaps, even this session.
have remarked the conduct of the admin
istration Senators toward Mr. Sumner with
some interest. When, on the first day of the
session, as he took his seat in the Senate, 1
saw Mr.. Toucy, Secretary of the Navy cross
the chamber and offer MIR. Sumner his hand.
l thought the era of good feeling had arrived.
But mistook the signs of the times The
same great Impulse which prompted the as
sault, will prevent the South from acting
generously or even courteously in this matter
L am told that Senator John Bell is the only
Southern Senator who approached Mr..
Sumner in the open Senate Chamber; and
Mr.. Bell did this with all the courtesy that
the occasion required. He is the only South
ern Senator who, in the sight of the public,
has approached Mr.. Sumner. Senator Crit
tendon, am old, met MIR. s. behind the
screen, as he was passing out, and there, out
OF sight, gave MIR, Sumner his hand. General
Houston, also, L am informed, on meeting our
Senator in the lobby, one morning, gave his
hand. These three gentlemen, and Governor
Allen of Rhode Island are, to the best OF my
knowledge land l have taken some pains to
verify my belief the only administration
Senators who have spoken to Mr.. s. since his
return from Europe
Much interest is felt, find, among our
friends IN Massachusetts and elsewhere, to
know the nature of Mr.. Summers feelings
toward the person who inflicted upon him SO
great calamity, taking from him nearly two
years OF active life, and putting IN jeopardy
both his life and reason. Sharing this feeling,
l have endeavord to learn the Senator'S SEN
timents on the subject. Yet have never
heard him utter one word from which could
even found conjecture of them, though the
matter has been referred to by myself, and by
others IN my hearing, in the course of CONVEX
saton. Moreover have heard his private
secretary, who was his nurse and watcher
during the long sultry days and nights of his
illness in Washington, remark that he had
never heard the Senator speak of the assault
or the assailent, or in any way express any
feeling on the subject. But presume, how
ever, that the feelings of Mr. S. are Justly
excited against the cruel slave power, which
originally instigated and has since sanctioned
the assault
Mr.. Sumner is seldom seen except on his
way to and from the capitol, or the Smith
sonlan Institute, where am told he has ex-
amined the whole collection# engraving sold
10 that institution by Mr.. Marsh. He accepts
few invitations, never attends regular parties
or dinners, passes his mornings and evenings
at home. If the Army bill is disposed of on
Tuesday, it is, am told, his intention to go
away Tor another month. or until his vote is
again IN request. But until the Army bill is
co1 of !,