Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-06-20
So. READING, June IA, 1862.



The Boston Journal publishes private
letter from Hon. Charles Sumner, in reply
to a letter addressed to him by personal
friend. Senator Summers hearty endorse
ment will not be without its influence upon |
those who are sometimes impatient at what
they term the pro-slavery policy of the
President. The responsibility resting upon
the President is momentous, and he does
well to take no steps in advance of public
sentiment. Making the Constitution his
guide, and with single eye to the suppress
sion of the rebellion and the restoration of
the Union, he must disappoint manywho
would hasten the dawn of universal free
dom by every appliance of legislation, and
by the utmost stretch of the war power.
1t is something to obtain from one who may
be regarded as representative of this class,
SO handsome tribute to the purity of the
Presidents motives and so hearty an en-
dorsement of his convictions and sympathies:
SENATE CHAMBER, June 5, 1862.
My Dear Sir:-Your criticism of the
President is hasty. / am confident that, if
you knew him as do, you would not make
| it. OF course the President cannot be held
responsible for the misfeasances of subordi-
mates, unless adopted or at least tolerated 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 Stanley in his absurd
wickedness, closing The schools, nor again in
his other act of turning our camps into
hunting ground for slaves. He repudates
boih--positively. The latter point has oc-
cupied much of his thought, and the news
papers have not gone too far in recording
his repeated declarations, which | have often
heard from his own lips, that slaves finding
their way within the national lines are new
err TO be reenslaved. This is his conviction.
expressed without reserve.
Could you have seen the President-as
Il was my privilege often-whle he was
considering the great questions on which he
has already acted-the invitation 10 eman-
cipation in the States, emancipation in the
District of Columbia, and the acknowledge
ment Of the independence of Hay,i and Ii
IBERIA, even your zeal would have been sal
, isfed, for you would have felt the sincerity
of his purpose TO do what he could to carry
forward the principles of the declaration OF
Independence. His whole soul was occu.
pied, especially by the first proposition
) which was peculiarly his own. In familiar
: intercourse with him, remember nothing
more touching than the earnestness ana
completeness with which he embraced ihi,
idea. To his mind it was just and benef
cent, while it promised the sure end of slave
ny. OF course, TO me, who had already
proposed Bridge of Gold for the retreat
, ing fiend, it was most welcome. Proceeding
from the President, it must take its plac,
among the great events of history.
If you are disposed to be impatient a
any seeming shortcomings, think, pra,
!. you, Of what has been done in brief period
and from the past discern the sure proa,is,
j. of the future. Knowing something of m,
= convictions and of the ardor with which
: maintain them, you may, perhaps, deriv'
e some assurance from my confidence. | sa,
4 to you, therefore, stand by the Administers
ton. If need be, help it by word and ACT
but stand by it and have faith in II.
wish that ycu really knew the Pre.i
dent. and had heard the artless expression
: of bis convictions on those questions whel
: concern you so deeply. You might, per