The Republican journal., 1872-08-08
Another Letter from Sumner.

Speaker Blaine having replied to Sena
tor Summers first letter, accusing him of
inconsistency and desertion of friends and
principle in his present position, Sumner
makes scorching reply, as follows
WAsHINGroN, Aug. 3, 1872.
Dear Sir: have seen the letter addressed to me
by you through the public prints, and notice espec-
ally that while animadverting upon my support of
Horace Greeley you say not wordin vindicaton of
that compound OF pretcnsions known tirantsm in
contradstinction to republicanism which you would
install NEW IN the Government Y gu are greatly
concerned about the company keep. TO quiet your
socitude beg to that in joining the Republicans
who brought forward an original abolitionist find
myself with so many others devoted to the cause |
have served always that had not missed you until
you fastened to report absence, Nor had taken ac
of the Southern secesSoniSts who, YOU aver,
are cooperating with me in support of the Or
gnal abolitionist, except to rejoice that if among
my associates like yourself hesitate, their places
supplied in an une expected quarter. You entirely
misunderstood me when you introduce incident
of the past and build on an argument why should
support Horace Greeley. What has Preston
Brooks do with the Presidential election2 Never
while sufferer did anybody hear me speak Of him
in unkindness. and now after lapse of more than
half generation, will not unite with you in drag
ging him from the grave where he sleeps to aggra-
the passions of political conflict and arrest the
longing for concord, and here is the essential differ
ence between you and me. At this juncture, | seize
the opportunity to make the equal rights of all
through peace and reconciliation, but this boon
you would postpone.
Seven years have passed since we laid aside our
arms but unhappily during all this period there has
been a hostile spirit towards each other, while the
rights OF colored tellowctizens have been perpe
ull question: Seven years mark 4 natural period of
human life. Should not the spirit be changed with
the body Can We not after years commence
a new life, especially when those foes
peat the saying, fhy people shall be my people. and
thy God my God 2" [ declare my preference for an
original abolitionist President, and you seek to
create division by crying out that the Democrats
Will support him, to which reply much the bet
t4ir th.A
he has so constantly guarded, whether of ia rights
or reconciliation, is accepted by the Democrats, and
this is the pledge OF true union beyond anything in
our history. II is victory OF ideas, without which
al other victories must fail. 70 INTENSITY your allie
CATION You insist that am ranged with jeff Davis
anu Robert Toombs, but pardon me- nobody knows
how the former will vote, while Robert roombs is
boistrrous against Greeley, aud with him are
Stephens, Wise and Mostly.
This is ali very poor. and mention it only to
hibit the character OF Your attempt. In the same
spirit you seek to avoid the real issue by holding
up the possibility OF what you call Democratic ad-
hinlsfailon, ana you nave the courage to assert as
within my knowledge that by the election OF Gree
ley, Congress i, handed over to the control OF the
party who have positively denied the rights OF
black men. You say that know this, Mr.. Speaker.
know no such thing, and you should be sufficient
ly thought ul not o assert it, entirely salts
tied that canvass like the present where the prin-
cples declared At Cincinnati openly opted
one side and not contested on the other must re-
suit in larger number OF Congressional represen-
tatives sincerely devoted 10 the rights of the color
I'd citizen than ever before, The Democrats will be
all men are equa before the law, and also to the
three constitutional amendments with the clau Sc in
each empowering Congress to enforce the same by
appropriate legislation. But bes sides the Democrats
here Will be Liberal Republicans pledged likewise,
and also your peculiar associates who trust will
not bctray the cause,
Senators and Represe natives calling themselves
Republicans have been latterly in large majority in
both Houses but the final measure OF civi rights
to which you refer, though urged by almost
daily has failed to become law, esa | lear from
Democratic opposition than from Republican luke
"armness and the want OF support from the Pres
dent The great issue which the people are called
to decide IN November, is on the President, and
body knows better than yourself that the House OF
Representatives, chosen at the time, will
naturally harmonic with him. Now harmony with
Horace Greeley involves what most desire. With
such u President, Congress viii be changed, Fu,
the first time since the the equal rights OF All
Will lave declared representative at the head OF
the government, whose presence there " i'll BE high
er significance than that Of war, being not only "A
testimony but constant motive power III the great
cause. Opposition, whether open hostility more
subtle treachery, will yield to the steady influence
OF such representative. Therefore 10 looking to
the President look also TO Congress, which will
take its character in large part from him.
In choosing Horace Greeley do the hest we
can tor The whole government, not only in the ex-
ecutiNr but IN tile legislative branch, while we de
cline TO support nepotlsm repay Inent Of personal
gifts by official patronage, seizure OF the powers
and indisnity 10 BLACK republic, and the various
lncapAcities exhibited by the President and the rings
by which he governs, none OF which can you defend.
Y GU know well that the rings already condemned
by the American people.
For myself say plainly that prefer H orace Gree
ley with any Congress possible, ON the Cincinnati
platform, to President Grant with his pretensions
and his rings. There must be another influence and
another example, The administration in all its
parts is impressed by the President. Let his soul
be enlarged by the sentiment OF justice, quickened
by industry, and not ouly the two Houses OF Con
gress but the whole country will feel authority
oVerspreading, pervadng everywhere. Therefore
IN proportion as you are earnest for the rights of the
colured citizen, and place them above all partizlm
triumph, you will be glad TO support the candidate
whose heart has always throbbcd for humanity.
The country needs such motive power in the
White House.
1t needs generous fountain there. In word
1t needs somebody different from the present in
cumbent, and nobody knows this better than Spelk k
Blaine.
The personal imputation you make upon me |
repel with the indignation OF an honest man. was
Il faithful supporter OF the Pr esident until somewhat
tardily awakened by his painful conduct on the
island Of San Domingo involving the seizure of war
power in violation of the constitution, ind snity
to the black republic, and in violation of interni-
tional law, and when demonstrated against these
noerable ourages | was set upon by those acting
in his behalf. Such is the origin OF my opposition.
| could not have done less without failure in that
duty which is with me, the rule of life. Nor can
doubt that when part-an ntimtnts are less active
you will regret the wrong you have done me. Mean
while | appeal confidently to the candid judgment
oil those who, amidst all present differences OF
opinion, unite in the great objects far above party
OF president to which my life is des oted
am, Sir, your ohedient servant,