The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-07-10
Private letter from Hon. Charles
Sumner.


The New York Tribune Of the 10Th
publishes the following private letter of
Senator Sumner:
SENATE CHAMBER, June 5, 1862
Ny DEAR SIR: Your criticism OF the
president is hasty. / am confident that,
if you knew him as l do. You would not
make IT,
OF course the president cannot be held
responsible for the malfeasances Of subor-
dlnaes. unless adopted or tolerated by
him. And l am sure thst nothing VI ust
or ungenerous will be tolerated, much less
adopted by him.
l ain 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 in-
to hunting ground for slaves. He repu.
dates both-positively: The latter point
has occupied much of his thought ; and
the newspapers have not gone too far in
recording 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-enslaved. This
is his conviction, expressed without re.
serve.
Could you have seen the president-ss
it WAS my privilege of,en--while he was
considering the great questions on which
he has already acted--the invitation to
emancipation in the states, emancipation in
the District Of Columbia and the acknowl-
edgement of the Independence of Hayii
and Lbe-ia--even your zeal would have
/ been satisfied, for you would have felt the
sincerity of his purpose to do what he could
70 carry forward the principles of the Dec
lara,ion of independence His whole SOU
was occupied, especially by the first prop
osition. which was peculiarly his own.
In familiar intercourse with him | re-
member nothing much more touching than
the earnestuess and completeness with
which he embraced this idea TO his
mind it was just aad benefcent, while II,
promised the sure end of slavery OF
course 10 me who had already proposed a
bridge OF gold for the retreating fend it
was most welcome. Proceeding from the
president, it must take it's place among
the great events Of history.
If you are disposed to be impatient a,
any seeming shortcomings, think, pray
you, Of what has been done in a brief pe-
riod, ard from the past discern the sure
promise of the future. Knowing some,
thing OF my convictions, and with which
| maintain them. you may. perhaps. de
rive some assurance from my confidence.
| say to you. therefore. stand by the ad-
ministraton. If need be, help it by word
and act. but stand by it and have faith in
! il.
wish you really knew the president,
and had heard the artless expressions Of
his convictions on these questions which
concern you So deeply. You might. per-
haps, wish that he were less cautious. but
you would be grateful that he is true TO
| all you have a. heart. Believe ME. there
tore, you are wrong, and l regret it the
more because Of my desire to see all our
friends stand firmly together.
If write strongly, it is because feel
strongly; for my constant and intimate
intercourse with the president, beginning
with the 4th of March, not only binds me
peculiarly to his administration. but gives
me personal as we'll as political interest
in seeing that justice is done him.
Believe me. my dear sir. with much re-
gard. ever faithfully yours.
CHAS. ST MNER.