"I congratulate you on that day's work. It was well and nobly done.
I have seen something of your assailants, and know something of
their habits and manners, and can appreciate your forbearance.
It is a shame that you should be obliged to meet so much that is
disgusting to the taste and shocking to the moral sense in the
American Senate. But it is a matter of just pride that the friends
of Freedom there are gentlemen, and always win upon the field of
argument."
William C. Russell, Esq., of New York, afterwards professor at Cornell
University, wrote:--
"I am delighted beyond measure by your reply to the Southern
chivalry. It is grand, gentlemanly, cool, pointed, well aimed, and
true metal. I do not wonder that Mr. Butler did not want to play
vampire to Massachusetts. The fact is, it is getting to be rather
serious work to interfere with the old Commonwealth; and I shall
be surprised, if the Southern bull-dogs do not bay in some other
quarter."
Hon. Charles P. Huntington, of Northampton, afterwards Judge of
the Superior Court of the County of Suffolk, wrote:--
"I have been, as usual, exceedingly gratified with the manner,
style, and spirit in which you have met your Senatorial
responsibilities on this trying Nebraska question. But the reply to
the personal attacks and insults of Butler and Mason last week has
gratified me more than anything that has fallen from your lips,--so
severe, yet so just,--so cutting, yet so keen and polished,--so
decided, manly, and bold,--so indicative of backbone, as well as
pith and marrow, that your adversaries were fairly hung up and
impaled."