[
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applied to it by
Webster, had no classical authority.
This brought
Professor Felton into the controversy, who defended
Webster at length, and drew an opposite view from
Professor Beck.
Sumner took
Mann's part in some newspaper articles, but avoided an issue with
Felton.
1
Sumner wrote to Lord Morpeth, Jan. 8, 1850:—
The slavery question has become paramount here at last.
The slave States threaten to dissolve the Union if slavery is prohibited by Congress in the new Territories or abolished in the District of Columbia.
I trust that Congress will do its duty, regardless of threats.
What the result may be it is impossible to determine.
The Canadian question promises to help antislavery.
The annexation of that colony to the United States would “redress the balance” which has been turned in favor of slavery by the annexation of Texas.
I do not observe, however, any disposition at present to interfere in the question between that colony and the imperial government.
I am anxious that It should be left to the parties without any intervention.
I shall enclose this in a note to a friend now in London,—Mr. Burlingame.2 Though young in years, he has won a brilliant reputation as a public speaker.
To
George Sumner, January 8:—
You will see by the papers the doings at Washington.
The contest on the Speakership is showing its good influence already.3 The slave-power has received its first serious check, and all parties see that the slavery question is soon to be paramount to all others. . . . General Cass's motion in the Senate4 will probably be defeated; it would certainly be a dangerous precedent.
Nevertheless, I am so sincerely displeased by the conduct of Austria, I should be willing to see our country depart from its general course of international usage in order to testify its condemnation of what has occurred.
But, alas!
while we have slavery our voice is powerless.
Every word for freedom exposes the horrid inconsistency of our position.
The slavery discussion will follow that of the Austrian mission. . . . In the Senate I predict great weight for my friend, the new senator from Ohio, Mr. Chase.
He is a man of decided ability, and I think will trouble Calhoun on the slavery question more than
