Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-07-17

written by Hon. Charles Sumner in re-
ply to letter written by personal
friend. 1t appears in the Boston Jour
nal: .
SENATE CHAMBER. June 5, 1862.
My DEAR SIR Your criticism of
the President is hasty. am conf
dent that, if you knew him as I do,
you would not make it.
OF course the President cannot be
held responsible for the malfcasanccs
of subordinates, unless adopted or tol.
Grated by him. And ! am 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 Stanly in his
absurd wickedness, closing the schools
nor again in his other act of turning
our camps into hunting ground for
slaves. He repudiates both-posi-
lively. The latter point has occupied
much of his thought, and the news
papers have not gone too far in rccor-
ding his repeated declaration, which
| have often heard from his own lips,
that slaves finding their way within
the national lines are never to be re-
enslavcd. This is his conviction, cy-
pressed without reserve.
Could you have seen the President
AS it was my privilege oftcn-whil
he was considering the great questions
on which he has already actcd-the
invitation to emancipation in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and the acknow-
ledgcmcnt of the independence of
Hayti and Liberia, even your zeal
would have been satisfied. for you
would have felt the sincerity of his
purpose to do what he could to carry
forward the principles of the Declara-
ton of Independence. His soul was
occupied especially by the first propo-
sition, which was peculiarly his own.
In familiar intercourse with him, |
remember nothing more touching
than the earnestness and complete
ness with which he embraced this idea.
To his mind it was just and bcnefcent,
while it promised the sure end of sla-
very. OF course, to me, who had al
ready proposed Bridge of Gold for
the retreating fiend, it was most wei
come. Proceeding from the Presi-
dent, it 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 dis
Germ the sure promise of the future.
Knowing something of my convic-
tions and Of the ardor with which l
maintain them, you may, perhaps, de-
rive some assurance from my conf
dence. say to you, therefore, stand
by the Administration. If need be,
help it by word and act, but stand by
it and have faith in it.
Iwish you really knew the Presi-
dent, and had heard the artless ex-
preston of his convictions on those
questions which concern you so deeply.
You might, perhaps wish that he were
less cautious, but you would be CRATE
ful that he is SO true TO all that you
have at heart. Believe me therefore,
you are wrong, and regret it the
more because Of my desire to sec all
our friends stand firm together.
Ii | write strongly, it is because !
feel strongly, for my constant inter
course with the President, beginning
with the 4th of March, not only binds
me peculiarly to his Administration,
but gives me personal as well as
political interest in seeing that jus.
tice is done him.
Believe me. my dear sir,
E@ With much regard,
Ever faithfully yours,
.@ .-..... CHARLES SUMNER.