Let your secretary write us how you are, if you are too much occupied. Take care of your health, and remember that it was in 1828 or 1829 that I
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himself against the charge of having taken an unpatriotic position, contending that it was his supreme duty to keep his country right, and pointing for examples under like circumstances to Cobden and Bright at the time of our Civil War, and to Fox and Burke at the time of our Revolution.1 His preamble with his consent was laid on the table, and the resolution itself was passed by a large majority, only five votes being given in the negative.
To the partisan bitterness of the Administration senators there were some exceptions.
Harlan said of Sumner that he was ‘as patriotic as any member of the Senate;’ and Cameron paid a tribute to his magnanimity, justice, and intelligence.
Conkling had found other victims of his worrying propensity, and now, as also in later debates, treated him with civility,— almost with consideration.
The strain of the contest on the arms question was too much for Sumner, and brought on another attack of the angina pectoris. The mention of his name, the day after the resolution passed, as chairman or a member of the committee of investigation, drew from him a declination, with a statement of his inability to serve; and he was absent from his seat most of the time for two weeks. The committee was constituted in a manner unfriendly to inquiry, with the studied exclusion of its promoters.
Hamlin, who had denounced them, was made chairman, while Schurz was refused any place on the committee, although Trumbull and Sumner asked that he should serve on it. The committee, chosen by ballot, consisted of Hamlin, Carpenter, Sawyer, Logan, Ames, Harlan, and Stevenson,—each receiving from fifty-two to thirty-six votes.
Schurz received twenty-three, only eleven of which were given by Republican senators, and Trumbull nineteen.
The Senate refused the request of Stevenson, the only Democrat chosen, to have Schurz take his place.
Sumner was absent at the time, or, as he afterwards stated in the Senate, he would have entered at once his protest against the composition of the committee.2 His illness drew tender expressions from friends.
Heber wrote, March 2:
Cambridge, MA. Press of John Wilson and Son. 1877.
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