Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-20

sn0ulu De READ Dy al
SENATE CHAMBER, June 5, 1862.
Ny DEAR Sin: Your criticism Of the
President is hasty. I am confident that,
if you knew him as I do, you would not
make it. 1
OF course, the President cannot be held
responsible for the misfeasanoe Of subordi-
mates, unless adopted or at least tolerated
BY him. And / am sure that nothing un-
Just 6f ungenerOus viii be tolerated, much
less adopted, by him. T
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 camp into
a hunting ground for slaves. He repudi-
ates both-positiYely. The latter point has
occupied much Of his thought; and the
newspapers have not gone too far in record
ing his repeated declarations, which have
often heard from his own lips, that slaves
finding their way into the National lines
are never TO be re-enslayed This is his
conviction, expressed without reserve.
Could you have seen the President--as it
was my privilege often-while he was con-
sidering the great questions on which he
has already aeted-the invitation 70 Eman-
cipation in the States, Emancipation in the
District Of Columbia, and the acknowledge
ment of the independence Of Hayti and Lii
beria-even your zeal would have been
satisfied, for you would have felt the sin
eerity Of his purpose to do what he could
70 carry forward the principles Of the Dec
laration Of Independence. His whole soul
was occupied, especially BY the first prop
osition, which was peculiarly his own In
familiar intercourse with him, remember
nothing more touching than the earnest
ness and completeness with which he en-
braced this idea To his mind it was just
and benefcsnt, while it promised the sure
end Of slavery. Of course, to me, who had
already nrepOsed Bridge of Gold for the.
retreatlng nenus II " 1,-,-
Proceeding from the President, ,itmust take
its place among the great events Of his
tory.
If you are disposed to be impatient at
any seeming shortcomings, think pray
Won. Of what has been done IN brlef
period and from the past discern the sure
promise Of the future. Knowing some
thing of my convictions and Of the ardor
with which I maintain them, you may,
perhaps, derive some assurance from my
confidence. I say to you, therefore, stand
bv the Administration. If need be, help
it by word and act but stand by It and
have faith in It.
wish that you really knew the Presi-
dent. and had heard the artless expression
of his convictions on those questions which
concern you so deeply. You might, per-
haps, wish he were less cautious but you
would be grateful 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 see all my
friends stand firmly together. # ] write
strongly, it is because 1 feel strongly; for
nv constant and intimate intercourse with
the President, beginning with the 4th OF
March, not only binds me peculiarly 70 his
Administration, but gives ME apersonal as
well as political interest in seeing that
Justice is done him.
Believe me, my dear Sir, with much re
gard, ever faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER