This letter was extensively circulated. The New York _Herald_
printed it in an editorial article entitled “The Chase-Sumner
Political Movement--Social War Threatened,” where it said:--
“As soon as Mr. Johnson assumed the reins of the
Government, Mr. Sumner made an effort to control his
official action and secure his assistance in carrying on
this appendix warfare to the Abolition question, and thus
plunge the country into a sanguinary social war. Finding it
impossible to draw President Johnson into his schemes, he
at once plants himself in opposition.…
“This letter, although short, is explicit and unmistakable
in its meaning. Its purpose is evident to the most
casual observer. Knowing, as he must, at the time, that
the President held that the question of conferring the
privilege of suffrage upon the colored people of the South
rested exclusively with the States, he endeavors to stir
up a feud and create a dissatisfaction among this class.
Like the speech of Chief Justice Chase, its whole tendency
is to incite the negroes to insurrection, by giving them
the impression that the Government is against them. There
is not a word in the communication counselling obedience
or respect to the laws of the Government. They ask him for
direction, and he, in response, counsels them to take part
in the organization of the Government,--that it is their
right and duty. In the face of the fact that there is no
law in their State or in the Constitution of the United
States recognizing that right, he tells them that those who
oppose them are usurpers and impostors.”