I longed to see you.
When you called I was at Eames's, discoursing on Baltimore and its scenes. This
nomination1 makes me lament anew the fatal '49, when the Barnburners
and the Hunkers coalesced. Had they kept apart, we should all have been
together,—perhaps in a minority, but powerful from our principles and
character. For myself, I am left alone. The political fellowships I had hoped
to establish are vanishing. Of course I can have nothing to do with Pierce or
his platform,—probably nothing with Scott or his. How I wish we had all stuck
together! Should Pierce be elected, with a Democratic Senate and House, we
should have the iron rule of the slave-power.
_______________
1 Of Franklin Pierce, as Democratic candidate
for President.
SOURCE: Edward L.
Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, pp. 280-1
