You do not reflect
that there are many here who have been through similar experiences.1
My position has always been humble compared with yours; but I remember the time
when two or three of the metropolitan papers never missed an opportunity to
fling at me, and when the “Advertiser” and “Atlas” had elaborate articles often
impugning even my character for veracity. One paper had at least six or seven
articles, short and long, against me. At that moment I was surrounded by a
large circle of persons calling themselves friends; not one of them stirred in
my behalf. The “Atlas” and “Advertiser” were owned in part by persons among my
friends. Several became personally hostile, and down to this day have not
renewed their friendship. But I have lived through it; you will live through
your trial also. You are not the first who has suffered in this cause; though
your case happens to be now most prominent, as your character and position are
most prominent.
_______________
1 Mann was feeling keenly the personal attacks
upon him made by the Compromise Whigs on account of his protests against
Webster's recent course.
SOURCE: Edward L.
Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, p. 217
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