Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 4

Sumner had been preparing for some weeks a speech against the re-election of President Grant,¹ and Congress had appointed June 3 as the end of the session. The report on the sale of arms to France had come in so late that no time could be set apart for its consideration. Sumner was obliged to take advantage of some opportunity, and moving (May 31) the indefinite postponement of the appropriation bill, he began, unexpectedly to the public, his speech, and held the floor for three hours.² He wore on that day the appearance of deep-seated conviction. He knew well enough what he would have to encounter, but there was no hesitation in his manner or voice. Many seats were vacant when he began, as the senators had not been released from the previous session till 3 A. M., and a general listlessness prevailed.³ In the galleries were a few delegates on their way to the Republican convention, which was to meet at Philadelphia six days later. After a few words on the sale of arms to France, he reached his real subject, and then the scene changed. The Vice-President called a senator to the chair. The telegraph announced that Sumner was speaking, and the galleries filled rapidly; members of the House (among whom were observed Garfield, Shellabarger, Kelley, Butler, Banks, Hoar, and Dawes) came one after another on the floor, leaving their hall almost deserted. Among privileged spectators were Creswell, Belknap, and Robeson of the Cabinet, and the military secretaries Porter and Babcock. The diplomatic and ladies' galleries were filled with distinguished visitors. On the floor Conkling, Carpenter, and Morton gathered in a group, sometimes seeking the lobby for freer conference. Conkling affected at the beginning the indifference habitual with him at such times, but this soon disappeared. He and Carpenter, early in the speech, stood conversing loudly, almost within reach of Sumner, who paused and looked sharply at them till they retired to their seats.⁴ One of the senators sitting in front of him called several times for order, and the gavel of the chair was frequently used to quiet the uneasy senators.