The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-06-26
Hen. Charles Sumner ON the Presidents

Hen. Charles Sumner on the Presidents
Policy.
The Boston Journal publishes the
following letter from Senator Sumner,
addressed to personal friend, endors-
ing the policy of the President:
SENATE CHAMBER, June s, 1862.
Mn Dear Sir:-Your criticism of
the President is hasty. / am confident
that. if you knew him as ! do, you
would not make 1T.
Of course the President cannot be
held responsible for the misfeasances of
subordinates, 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 repudiates both-positive-
ly. The latter point has occupied much
of his thought, and the newspapers
have not gone too far in recording his
repeated declarations, which / have of.
ten 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 without re-
serve.
Could you have seen the President
az it was my privilege often-while he
was considering the great questions on
which he has already acted-the invi-
tation to emancipation in the States,
emancipation in the District Of Colum-
bia, and the acknowledgement of the
independence of Hayti and Liberia,
even your zeal would have been salts
fed, for you would have felt the SINGER
ity 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 pecu-
liarly his own. In familiar intercourse
with him, / remember nothing more
touching than the earnestness and com
pleteness with which he embraced this
idea. To his mind it was just and
beneticent, while it promised the sure
end of slavery. Of course, to me, who
had already proposed a Bridge of
Gold for the retreating fend, it was
most welcome. Proceeding from the
President, it must take its place among
the great events of history.
If you are disposed to be impatient
at any seeming shortcomings, think, l
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 convio-
tons and of the ardor with which ]
maintain them, you may, perhaps, de-
rive some assurance from my confidence.
i say to you, therefore, stand by the
Administration. If need be, help j,
by word and act, but stand by it and
have faith in it.
/ wish that you really knew the Pres
ident, 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
full 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 our
friends stand firm together.
If write strongly, it is because ]
feel strongly, for my constant and init
mate Intercourse with the President
beginning with the 4th of March, no,
only binds me peculiarly to his Admin
istration, but gives me a personal as
well as political interest in seeing thai
justice is done him.
Believe me, my dear sir,
Ever faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.