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

[200] Mr. Lincoln, in the way of business, that he lacks practical talent for his important place. It is thought that there should be more readiness, and also more capacity, for government. But these doubts are now abandoned, and all are united to prevent the election of McClellan; to my mind the election is already decided. . . Chase for a long time hesitated in the support of Mr. Lincoln; he did not think him competent. But he finds that he has no alternative; as a patriot, he must oppose Chicago. The President made a great mistake in compelling him to resign. It was very much as when Louis XVI. threw overboard Necker,—and, by the way, I have often observed that Mr. Lincoln resembles Louis XVI. more than any other ruler in history. I once said to Chase that I should not be astonished if, like Necker, he was recalled; to which he replied, “That might be if Mr. Lincoln were king and not politician.” Thus far the President has made no overture to him of any kind, although he has received him kindly.

I have followed you through the last session, and especially enjoyed your very effective speech on the Danish question. But I am lost in wonder at the perseverance of Lord Russell as a prophet of evil to the United States. He has a naivete in his avowals; witness that at the close of his speech of 27th of June. But we shall disappoint him. I thank you for your faith; but do not forget that we are fighting your battle here. Our triumph will help the liberal cause everywhere.

Sumner made several popular addresses in the autumn of 1864,—one at Faneuil Hall on the national victories;¹ another at the same place in support of Mr. Lincoln's re-election;² another at Cooper Institute on the issues of the election;³ and the last at Faneuil Hall on the evening of the election.⁴ He put forward on these occasions, as patriotic aims, the complete suppression of the rebellion and the complete extinction of slavery. ‘Never,’ said he, ‘was grander cause or sublimer conflict; never holier sacrifice.’ At Cooper Institute he was received with the same enthusiasm that had hitherto characterized his New York audiences. One incident of this address was a contrast between the mission of the ‘Mayflower’ bound for Plymouth and that of the first slave-ship bound for Jamestown,⁵ with an exposure of the pretension that Virginia was ennobled in her origin by cavalier colonists. He spoke in certain towns in Massachusetts, and also in Hartford and New London, Conn., where Mr. Winthrop made an address for McClellan, and in Newark, N. J.; but he declined calls from other States.