The result at which
you arrived is not in the least surprising to me. You are in your nature more
trusting than I, and therefore expected more. Where slavery is concerned I have
not a particle of confidence in the courtesy, honor, principles, or veracity of
those who sustain it, either directly by reason of selfish interest, or more remotely
through the servility learned by political associations. In all other cases I
should yield them a share of confidence. I should not, therefore, had I been in
your place, have predicated any action of mine upon the grant by them of
any favor whatever. They cannot afford to be generous or even
just. If you can get even that to which you have a clear right, you will do
pretty well; but to get it you will have to fight for it.
SOURCE: Edward L.
Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, p. 290
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