REMARKS IN THE SENATE, ON A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE
PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE REBELLION, MAY 24, 1866.
May 24th, on motion of Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, the Senate
considered a joint resolution to provide for the publication
of an official history of the Rebellion. In the debate that
ensued, Mr. Sumner said:--
MR. PRESIDENT,--We have already in our history some experience by
which we may be taught on this question. Senators have seen in their
libraries, certainly in the Congressional Library, the large volumes
known as “American Archives,” of which there are portions of two
series. When that collection was commenced, it was intended that it
should embody all the papers, military and diplomatic, and also leading
articles in newspapers, relating to the origin of our Revolution and
the War of Independence. The collection proceeded to the year 1776,
under the editorship of Peter Force, of this city, a gentleman as
competent, I suppose, as any person who could have been selected in
the whole country; but it was subject to the revising judgment of the
Secretary of State. Finally, when Mr. Force had prepared a volume for
1777, and his papers were collected and laid before the Secretary of
State, at that time Mr. Marcy, the latter functionary refused his
assent to any further publication, and the collection, originally
ordered by Act of Congress,[30] was arrested at the year 1776, and
primarily because the Secretary of State declined to give his final
assent, as required under a subsequent Act.[31] Such is our experience
with regard to one important portion of our history, the War of
Independence. The documents are not yet published in one connected
series; I do not know that they ever will be. And now, Sir, it is
proposed to commence another series, promising more expense even than
that of the War of Independence.
I would simply suggest that we may well consider whether it might not
be advisable to complete the original series, and to illustrate the
War of Independence, before we enter upon the work of illustrating
this recent more terrible conflict. But, Sir, suppose we undertake
the latter work; then I think all that has been said, particularly
by the Senator from Maine [Mr. FESSENDEN], suggesting caution, care,
and editorship, of infinite importance. I agree with that Senator
absolutely, when he says the whole collection will be of very little
value, it will be trivial, if not well edited, well arranged, and then
well indexed.
MR. FESSENDEN. And the larger it is, the worse it will be.
MR. SUMNER. Of course. Then Senators say that we must find a competent
man. Who is the competent man? I do not know him now. I dare say
he might come to light, perhaps, if we went about with a lantern
after him; but the competent man to gather together all this mass of
documents, to put them in order, and then to make a proper analytical
index, would be a very rare character. He must be a man without the
turbulent ambition that belongs to politicians,--disposed to quiet,
willing to live at home with his books and papers, and give himself
day and night to serious toil. That is the character of man you would
require. I do not know where he could be found.
MR. JOHNSON [of Maryland]. You might find him in Boston.
MR. SUMNER. In Boston, if anywhere, perhaps. [_Laughter._] But
I do not know him there, I am free to say.
MR. FESSENDEN. Resign, and take charge of it yourself.
[_Laughter._]
MR. SUMNER. I do not know but that is the best thing I could do
[_laughter_]; but then I should despair of getting through the
work.
MR. FESSENDEN. I would agree to serve as your clerk.