Lewis D. Campbell.
Philadelphia, Wednesday, September 24, 1856.
MY DEAR SIR,—Your letter of the 9th of September, after travelling to Boston, at last found me here, where I am still detained under medical treatment, away from my home, which I have not visited since I left it at the beginning of the late session of Congress, now ten months ago.
With sorrow inexpressible, I am still constrained to all the care and reserve of an invalid. More than four months have passed since you clasped my hand as I lay bleeding at the Senate Chamber, and my system is even now so far from the firmness of health that any departure from the prescribed rule is sure to occasion a relapse. I could not reach Ohio except by slow stages; and were I there, I should not have the sanction of my physician in exposing myself to the excitements of a public meeting, even if I said nothing. This is hard, very hard, for me to bear; for I long to do something at this critical moment for the cause. What is life without action?
For a while, at least, I must leave to others the precious satisfaction of laboring for Liberty and the redemption of our country. But I have the comfort of knowing that never before was I so little needed.
God bless Ohio for her glorious testimony already, and her more glorious promises!
Believe me, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours,
Charles Sumner.
Hon. Lewis D. Campbell, Hamilton, Ohio.