Elias Nason, The Life and Times of Charles Sumner: His Boyhood, Education and Public Career.

[271] shaded by the baleful influence of slavery. They devote much time and attention to political studies; and the controlling power which they long exercised in the national government, even when a Webster led the North, is in attestation of their activity and skill in political management. But they misunderstood the spirit of this section of the Union, which was not that of domination or of violence, but of humanity and fraternity. They also underestimated the unity of sentiment and the valor of those they falsely deemed their enemies. For this their leaders were to a great extent responsible.

During the presidential canvass of 1860, the Southern States were secretly storing arms, and making other preparations for the dissolution of the Union; and, immediately after the triumph of the Republican party in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidential chair, in November, public meetings were held in South Carolina urging a secession from the Union. On the opening of Congress (Dec. 4), this determination at once became apparent; and a resolution was presented to the Senate on the following day, that a committee be appointed to inquire into the present agitated and distracted state of the country.

In speaking on this resolution, Mr. Sumner introduced with startling effect an unpublished autograph