Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-24
Green III. Greeman
MONTPELIER, VT.
Tuesday Morning, june "a, 1862.
The Presidents Feelings and opinions Re
spectlng Slavery

J
Below we PRINT private letter from Charles
Sumner to friend in Massachusetts. 1t il an
important piece Of evidence in these times g.
pecially when 50 many Of the friends of slavery
are claiming Mr.. Lincoln as one OF themselves.
lt shows The President to be 81 decidedly anti
slavery, and as earnestly DESTROYS to see he ma
ton freed from that bondage, as any one need
desire. And it is particularly valuable proof
just now when so cunning an effort IS being
made by the self styled " conservatives to de-
bauch the anti-slayery sentiment OF the people,
aud bring back once more the iron rule OF the
slave oIigarcby by the use OF new party ma
chinery and new party catch words. Those who
pretend to support the Administration, and at
the same time TO denounce Mr. Sumner, may
learn from this letter something Of the difficult
~ Of getting up party that will take Mr.
Lincoln in and leave Mr.. Sumner out
SENATE CHAMBER, June 5, 1862
Nv Dear Sir Your criticism OF the Pres-
dent IL hasty. am confident that If you knew
-
OF course the President cannot be held re-
spousible lol the nlsieaslnces Of sub0rdlnates,
unless adopted or ut least tolerated by him. And
| AIN sure that nothing unjust Or ungenerous
will be tolerated, much less adopted BY him.
am happy to Let you know that he has no
sympathy with Stanley in his absurd wicked
ness, closing the schools, nor again in his other
act Of turning our camps INTO hunting ground
for the slaves. lie repudiates both-posltively
The latter point has occupied much Of his
thought, and the newspapers have not gone too
lar in recording his repeated declarations, which
| have often heard from his own lips, that slaves
finding their way within the national lines are
never TO be re-enslaved This is his conviction,
expressed with out reserve.
Could YOU have seen the PresIdent-as 1t
was my privilege oiten-while he was consider.
ing the great questions on which he has already
acted--the invitation 10 emancipation IN the
states, emancipation in the District OF Columbia
and the acknowledgment of the independence
of Hayti and Liberia, even your zeal would
have been satisfied, for you would have ielt the
sincerity OF his purpose to do what he could to
carry forward the principles Of the declaration
of Independence His whole soul was occupied ,
especially by the first proposition, which was
peculiarly his own. In familiar intercourse
with him, remember nothing more touching
than the earnestness and completeness with
which he embraced this idea. To his mind it
was Just and benefcent, while it promised the
sure end of slavery. Of course, 10 me, who
had already proposed bridge of gold for the re-
treating lend, it was most welcome Proceed
ing from the President it must take its place
among the great events of history.
II you are disposed TO be impatient at any
seeming shortcomings, think, | pray you Of
what has been done in briet period, and from
the past discern the sure promise OF the future.
Knowing something of my convictions and OF
the ardOr with which | maintain them, you may
perhaps. derive sone assurance from my conf
dence SAY to you therefore, stand by the
administrations II need be, help it by word
and act, but stand by ii and have faith in it.
wish tnat you really knew the President,
and had heard the arless expression OF his con-
victions On those questions which concern you
SO deeply. You might perhaps wish that he
we're less cautious, but you would be grateful
that he is so true to all that you have a, heart.
Believe me, therefore, you are wrong and re
gret it the more because of my desire to see all
our friends stand firm together.
If write strongly, it is because | ieel strong
ly, for my constant and intimate intercourse
with the President, beginning with the 4th OF
March, not only binds me peculiarly to his ad-
ministration, but gives me personal as well as
a political interest in seeing that justice is done
him.
Belize me, my dear sir, with much regard,
ever faithfully.
CHARLES SUMNER.