Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-09
President Lincoln and MIR. Summer

The unpleasantness now existing be-
tween the President and Mr.. Sumner
makes of unusual interest the following
account of how Mr.. Lincoln refused to
quarrel with our senior Senator under
great provocation. The story is published
IN the Boston Advertiser, In the form OF
An extract from the diary of gentleman
who recorded a conversation just held
with Mr.. Summer
1855. November 17-Monday even
ing He Mr.. Summer remarked in
answer to an inquiry AS to what be con
sidered his most important services to the
country during the war, "that which the
country knows the least about my con-
slant intimacy with Mr.. Lincoln, and
constant pressing upon him of emancipa-
| ion as the means to be used in crushing
the rebellion. did not urge it then as
moral question, for, whatever may be said
Of me, l have always aimed to be eminent
~ practical, and to weigh carefully all
| that I say. l urged emancipation the
day after the battle at Bull Run, and ever
| .fterward. Mr.. Lincoln hesitated from
that as 6rlertir, of which the public knows
but little, and which was manifest in small
md great things. l was always honest and
very plain with Mr.. Lincoln ; 30 much so
| that sometimes he was almost angry with
| me, but he never allowed difference of opin-
ION or frankness to interrupt our familiar
and confidential intercourse. There was
beautiful illustration of this in February,
think, the last week of the last session,
when l defeated Mr.. Lincoln's pet project
of admitting Louisiana, and my friends
all told me 1 had made great mistake,
as the President had set his heart upon
this scheme. But my convictions of
fidelity to the best interests of the ooun-
try, as / viewed the subject, left me ne al
tentative. 1, at last, after earnest CONVEX,
sation with Mr.. Lincoln, told him | would
not oppose his Louisiana plan, provided
he would reqaire negro suffrage in all
other states, believing that Louisiana
could not stand out alone, but that the re-
fluent wave from the other states would
roll over her and she be compelled into
the same desired condition. But Mr..
Lincoln did not come up to the mark, and
defeated his plan i'll the Senate by sim
pie parliamentary tactics, working and
talking against time, etc, etc. 1t was a
common remark, especially with my po-
litical opponents, "that it is all up with
Sumner he has kicked the Presidents
pet project down the Senate stairs" We
had been great friends, and it was a cause
for rejoicing to these men if l haa, by my
course in the Senate, ruptured the in-
timacy, and I did not know myself
but that such might be the result.
But on the contrary, on the day of the in
auguration ball, received an autograph
note from Mr.. Lincoln inviting me to at
rend the ball, and saying that if 1 would
20 he would call for me in his own car
rage on his way thither, sand you shall
be one of our party" had not intended
te go, and for the four years I had not
been to an evening party or entertain.
ment, but in the circumstances concluded
to accept the invitation. At the proper
time the carriage came to my door. 1
found Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln and Mr.. Col |
fax within, and took the fourth and re-
naming seat. I took Mrs. Lincoln on |
my arm to the dais or platform, and then
told Mr.. Lincoln would leave them and
mingle with the throng, as the crowd
wanted to look at him Mr.. Lincoln
but he insisted that l should sit with him,
and seemed to take this very conspicuous
way Of assuring the senators, representa-
tives and people present that he still
claimed me az friend, and that con.
scientious discharge of what l thought
my duty, although directly opposed to
what might be his favorite projects,
would not sever or weaken our inter.
course. This emphatic indorst IN MT made
no little sensation at the time. At the
proper hour took Mrs. Lincoln to the
upper. |,