Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-06-27

we give below the letter OF Senator sumner
Of Massachusetts, as it will he found 10 throw
much light on the question Of the President
abolition tendencies;
From The Boston journal.
We are permitted to publish the following
private letter from Hon. Charles Sumner, in
reply to a letter addressed to him by a per-
sonal friend
SENATE CHAMBER, June 8. 1862.
My DEAR SIR Your criticism Of the Pres-
dent is basty. ! am confident that, if you
knew him as | do, you would not make it.
OF course the President cannot be held re-
sponsible for the misieasance Of subordinates,
unless adopted or at least tolerated by him
And am sure that nothing unjust or ungen-
crous will be tolerated, much less adopted by
him.
| am happy to let you know that he has no
sympathy with Stanley in his alb surd wicked
ness closing the schools, nor again in his
other act of turning our camp into hunting
ground for slaves. He repudiates both--po-
siuvey. The latter point has occupied much
Of his thought, and the newspapers have not
gone too far in recording his repeated decla-
ratons, which | have often heard from his
own lips, that slaves finding their way into
the national lines are never to be re-enslaved.
This is bis conviction, expressed without re-
serve.
Could you have seen the Presdent--as II
was my privilege often-while he was cousid-
ering the great questions on which he has al
ready acted-the invitation TO emancipation
in the States, emancipation In the District Of
Columbia, and the acknowledgment Of the in
dependence Of Hayti and Liberia, even your
zeal would have been satisfied, for you would
have felt the sincerity of his purpose to do
L. = IL.
of the Declaration Of Independence. His whole
soul was occupied, especially BY the first pro-
position, 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 il promised the sure end Of slavery. or
course, to me, who had already proposed a
Bridge Of God for the retreatng fiend, it was
most welcome. Proceeding from the Pres-
dent il must take its place among the great
events Of history.
If you are disposed to be impatient at any
seeming shortcomings, think, / pray you, Of
what has been done in a brief 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 some assurance from my
confidence. ] say TO you, therefore, stand by
the Administration. If need be, help il BY
word and act, but stand by 1t and have faith
in it.
! wish that you really knew the President
and had heard the artless expression Of bis
convictions on those questions which concern
you SO deeply. You might, perhaps wish that
he were less cautious, but you would be crate
fll that he is 50 true TO all that you have at
heart Believe me, therefore you are wrong
and regret il the more because Of my desire
TO see all our friends stand firm together.
If / write strongly, tits because feel strong
ly, for roy CONSTANT and intimate intercourse
with the President, beginning with the 4th Of
March, not only binds me peculiarly TO his
Administration, but gives me a personal as
well as political interest in seeing that justice
is done him
Believe me- my dear sir,
With much regard
Ever faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUnHER