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

[126] for his son, presenting testimonials for him, and withdrawing in his behalf the expressions alleged against him. Sumner sat a silent listener, answering only that the father ought to take pride in a son so dutiful as he had described, and that the case would be considered, but withholding any intimation as to his own action. The same evening General Burnside called and earnestly testified to the young man's loyalty, ability, and courage, his regret for the thoughtless words he had spoken, and his entire willingness to serve with negro troops. That night Sumner reflected on the case, and the next morning communicated to Mr. Hooper, the member from Boston, his purpose to support the nomination; and as he did nothing by halves, he moved the confirmation, and persuaded by personal appeals other senators who had been opposed to it to withdraw their opposition. It was the last day of the special session, when a single objection would have prevented action. It was understood and publicly stated at the time that Sumner's active intervention alone secured the confirmation. Two letters of thanks came from the family,—one from the father, who was still in Washington, and one from an aunt of the general, Hannah E. Stevenson, well known as the constant friend of Theodore Parker. The young man was at the time serving with colored troops in South Carolina, where he enjoyed the confidence of Colonel Shaw and other officers of colored regiments. When at home on leave in the summer, he called on the senator, thanked him for his good offices, and bore emphatic testimony in behalf of colored soldiers.

Some of the radical antislavery men openly condemned Sumner's support of Stevenson's confirmation. Wendell Phillips, hitherto among Abolitionists exceptionally kindly towards him, denounced him in speeches,¹ and went so far as to break off personal relations with him, even, as is stated, passing him on the street without recognition. Sumner felt hurt at Phillips's harshness, saving to a friend: ‘Wendell Phillips knows me; he knows me, and he ought not to speak of me as he does.’ Phillips's first overture was in a letter to Sumner in March, 1865, in which he warmly commended the latter's resistance to the admission of Louisiana with a constitution which disfranchised colored people. Henceforward nothing marred their friendship.