Sunday, January 7, 2018

Senator Salmon P. Chase to Senator Charles Sumner, June 28, 1851

Toledo, June 28, 1851.

My Dear Sumner, We had a glorious time at Ravenna. Fifteen hundred or two thousand people were present. The best men of the Reserve were there — Giddings & Townshend of the House—Spalding, of our Supreme Court — Morse, Speaker of our last House of Representatives and many others of less note. The resolutions were not quite fundamental enough in their democratic character to suit me; but they will do. It was occasion of much regret that you were not there, and I did not receive your note until yesterday just as I was leaving Cleveland for this place, with Mrs. C. and my little daughter.

Mrs. C. has nearly relinquished the idea of a journey to Europe. We may however before we return to Cincinnati visit Boston.

I notice what you say of the state of things in Massachusetts. With us the same bitterness does not yet discover itself; but we have got to go to work. The chiefly [sic] difficulty we labor under is the want of a common uniting principle. That I am satisfied will be found in a cordial recognition of the great democratic principle of Equal Rights & Exact Justice, with a fixed purpose to carry it out into practical application to all subjects of governmental action. That will unite us with the strong bond of fraternity. That will give us the name & character of democrats and make us invincible.

Yours cordially,
[SALMON P. CHASE.]

P. S. How wd. you like a house at Washington jointly with me or with me & Hale? I must contrive some way to be near you. I reckon upon so much benefit from your society.

SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. ChaseAnnual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 237-8

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