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Senate Chamber, 21st February, 1868.
Stick.
Ever sincerely yours,
On the acquittal of the president in May following,
Mr. Stanton resigned his office.
On the 11th of July
Mr. Sumner spoke at length against the president's scheme of repudiation, and in favor of completing reconstruction through public faith and specie payment.
“The word of our nation,” said he, “must be as good as its bond.”
He strongly urged economy; and, on the principle that State affairs should be conducted on the line of uncompromising and eternal justice, said,--
I call your attention to three things in which all others centre.
The first is the public faith; the second is the public faith; the third is the public faith. Let these be sacredly preserved, and there is nothing of power or fame which can be wanting.
All things will pay tribute to you, even from the uttermost parts of the sea. All the sheaves will stand about, as in the dream of Joseph, and make obeisance to your sheaf.
Good people, especially all concerned in business, whether commerce, banking, or labor,--our own compatriots or the people of other lands,--will honor and uphold the nation which, against all temptations, keeps its word.
Although reconstruction, by the passage of bills over the president's veto, for the admission of all
