The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-08-07
Senator Sumner 10 Speaker Blaine.

The letter O. Senator Sumner to MIR.
Speaker Blaine is broader and stronger, IN
some particulars, than the famous address
to the colored people, which called forth MIR.
Blaiue's attack. 1t is convincing evidence
that the Massachusetts senator adheres In
flexibly to the Liberal cause, and is ready 10
take up whatever controversial gauntlet his
fellow-Republican may throw down. 1t IS
comparatively free from the tinge OF per-
sonal bitterness which lessened the force OF
his previous utterances. 1t plants Mr.. Sum-
ner in the centre OF the platform OF Recon-
ciliation and Equal Rights. 1t contains
generous words, which elevate the writer
before the people and will lot fall unheeded
upon the Southern ear.
Mr.. Blaine, it will be remembered, taunted
MIR. Sumner with clasping hands with the
friends and upholders OF the Carolina Con-
gressman, who assaled him, years ago, in
the Senate; and il Mr.. Sumner were as vim
dictiye as Southerners are apt to think him,
the brutal sneer would have had its effect.
But it is met honestly and bravely. What's
says MIR. Sumner, has Preston Brooks TO 90
with the Presidential election? And lest'it
should be thought that this rejoinder was not
sufficiently explicit, Mr.. Sumner continues:
"Neyer while sufferer did any one hear me
ssspeak of him in unkindness; and now,
s.aiter the lapse Of more than half genera
stion, will not unite with you in dragging
ehim from the grave where he sleeps, to
ssaggravate the passions OF a political con-
s.tiict, and arrest the longing for concord"
Coming from q man in Mr.. Summers posi-
tion, this is rare magnanimity. 1t shodld
cause those who have liked him least to
think kindly OF him now.
Passing to the purely political part OF Mr..
Blaine's letter, Senator Sumner meets the
objection that Mr.. Greeley is not to be trust
ed because Democrats support him. This
idea is the bane Of party politics. A politi-
cal leader is praised to the skies 30 long as
he blindly obeys the commands OF the party,
but when patriotism and conscience require
him to rebel he is branded renegade,
traiter person unworthy OF trust. The
man is to-day what he was yesterday; yet the
lips that were warm with eulogy are instantly
foul with abuse. II the Democrats vote Tor /
an original Abolitionist says Mr.. Sumner,
$50 much the better-their support is the
assurance that the cause he has so con-
ststantly guarded, whether OF equal rights or
reconciliation, is accepted by Democrats,
sand this is the pledge OF true union be-
s.yond anything in our history" That which
is intrinsically right is made the stronger,
not the weaker, by the accession OF those
who fought against it and contested its
truth. Nor IS Mr.. Sumner moved by Mr..
Blaine's fear that the Greeley administration
will be controlled. by the party who "denied
"the rights OF the black men," The consti-
tutional amendments and the Cincinnati
Baltimore platform give the freedmen oil
the guarantees they require. Mr.. Sumner
believes that the Congress chosen with
Horace Greeley will be in harmony with
him; but, 81 say plainly, and without hesi-
station"-says Mr.. Sumner-'that l prefer
aHorace Greeley, soith ang Congress that as
s.possiJle on tie Cincinnati platform, to
president Grant with his pretensions and
'his Rings" This is an unequivocal def
ance of the Grant party. They know what
they have to expect.
Mr.. Summers letter is short, sharp and 10
the point. AS q campaign document, 1t
does not reach as far as his letter to the
colored people; but as an outspoken decla-
ration of the fixed opinions OF the strongest
Republican in New England it will have a
powerful influence upon the canvass 1t is
bold and aggressive, and be must be daring
follower who now measures pens with Sum-
ner in defence OF President Grant.